Judgements are a part of life. We judge others and we are judged by others. It is a natural human tendency to form opinions and make assumptions about people and situations. However, the impact of judgements can be paralyzing, both for the person who is being judged and the person who is doing the judging.

When we judge someone, we are essentially putting them in a box and defining them by a set of characteristics that we have deemed to be true. This can be limiting for the person being judged as it can prevent them from fully expressing themselves and being who they truly are. It can also be limiting for the person doing the judging as it can prevent them from seeing the full picture and understanding the complexity of the person or situation they are judging.

Letting go of judgements completely can be a difficult task, but it is one that can have a profound impact on our lives. By letting go of judgements, we open ourselves up to be who we truly are. We embrace our vulnerability and allow ourselves to be seen for who we are, rather than who we think we should be.

Let’s look at a few scenarios where mindfulness, empathy, and gratitude can help us overcome judgements and change our perspective:

Scenario 1: Mindfulness and Self-Reflection

In order to let go of judgements, it is important to first become aware of when we are judging others and ourselves. This can be done through mindfulness and self-reflection. When we become aware of our judgements, we can then work towards letting them go.

You’re at a party and you see someone who is dressed in a way that you find unappealing. You immediately judge them and assume that they have no sense of style. However, you then take a moment to reflect on why you feel this way. You realize that you have been feeling insecure about your own fashion choices lately and that this person’s outfit has triggered those feelings. You take a deep breath and let go of your judgement. You approach the person and strike up a conversation, finding out that they are a fashion designer and that their unique style is intentional and meaningful to them. By doing a mindfulness and self-reflection exercise, you were able to change your perspective and put an end to your judgement.

Scenario 2: Empathy

Another way to let go of judgements is to practice empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. When we practice empathy, we are able to see things from another person’s perspective and to understand their experiences and emotions. This can help us to let go of our judgements and to see the person for who they truly are.

You’re at work and a co-worker seems to be underperforming. You start to judge them and assume that they are lazy and unmotivated. However, you then take a moment to practice empathy. You try to understand their perspective and realize that they have been going through a difficult time at home. You approach them and offer your support, finding out that they have been struggling with a family illness. By showing empathy and understanding their experiences and emotions, you were able to change your perspective and put an end to your judgement.

Scenario 3: Gratitude

Another way to let go of judgements is to practice gratitude. When we focus on the things that we are grateful for, we are able to shift our focus away from judgement and towards positivity. This can help us to see the good in others and to appreciate them for who they are.

You’re at a family gathering and your cousin starts to talk about their new job. You start to judge them and assume that they are bragging and trying to make you feel inferior. However, you then take a moment to practice gratitude. You think about all of the things in your life that you are grateful for, including your own accomplishments. You approach your cousin and congratulate them on their new job, finding out that they had been struggling to find employment for months. By practicing gratitude and changing your perspective, you were able to put an end to your judgement and appreciate your cousin’s success.

Scenario 4: Forgiveness

It is also important to remember that we are all human and that we all make mistakes. When we let go of judgements, we are able to forgive ourselves and others for these mistakes. This can help us to move forward and to grow as individuals.

You’re at a team meeting and a colleague presents an idea that you find to be completely wrong. You start to judge them and assume that they are incompetent and not a valuable member of the team. However, you then take a moment to practice forgiveness. You remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes and that your colleague may have a different perspective or experience that led them to this idea. You approach them after the meeting and ask them to explain their thought process. You find out that they had misunderstood some of the information and had made a mistake. By practicing forgiveness and understanding that mistakes happen, you were able to change your perspective and put an end to your judgement. You were also able to work with your colleague to find a solution that worked for everyone.

In conclusion, judgements can be paralyzing for both the person doing the judging and the person being judged. By practicing mindfulness, empathy, gratitude, and forgiveness we can overcome our judgements and change our perspective. By doing so, we are able to be more compassionate, understanding, and accepting of ourselves and others.