What Happens When the World Laughs at What You Believe? by Jo Shipley

There’s nothing quite like putting your hopes and dreams out into the world, only to have people laugh at you for it.

I experienced this recently during an advertising campaign for my healing work. I responded to a local noticeboard post from someone looking for an energy healer to help clear emotional memories held in the body. It’s the work I do every day, backed by years of professional training and practice, so it seemed a logical step to offer my services.

The response was astonishing. Comments ranged from accusations of witchcraft and scams to outright ridicule. Many came from people who had no experience of energy work, didn’t understand it or had no interest in finding out more.

But why does this matter?

Because public ridicule has a way of making us question ourselves. When you’ve spent years developing your knowledge and skills, having your work dismissed can feel just like having yourself dismissed.

I’ve experienced this before during my training. Scepticism and criticism used to chip away at my confidence, make me question my abilities and leave me wondering whether it was worth putting myself out there at all.

It’s one of the many public forms of being silenced.

So what changed this time?

This time, I simply didn’t let it get to me.

I knew better.

I’ve become more confident in my abilities through professional training and greater experience. I’ve seen the difference my work can make to the people who come to me for help. I also recognise that this work isn’t for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay.

For every person who dismisses it outright, there are others whose experiences tell a very different story.

I realised that the real issue isn’t whether other people believe in what I do, but whether I allow their opinions to determine whether I continue doing it.

Finding the confidence to stand in your own truth

This has made me reflect on how often we make ourselves small or hold ourselves back because we’re worried about what other people might think.

Whether it’s an unconventional belief, a new business, a creative idea or simply speaking up about something that matters to us, the fear of judgement can be incredibly powerful.

So what if we stopped making other people’s approval a prerequisite for doing our work?

Here are five things I’ve learnt as I’ve stepped into my personal power:

• Trust your abilities. Build confidence in what you know and what you’ve experienced, rather than relying entirely on external validation.
• Become a master of your craft. Keep learning, practising and developing your skills. But recognise that there comes a time when you need to put what you’ve already learnt into practice.
• Allow yourself to be seen. Put your ideas and work into the world. Not everyone will agree with you, but somebody else’s negative response doesn’t mean you’ve failed.
• Stand in your personal power. In energy healing, the solar plexus chakra is associated with confidence, self-worth and personal power. A strong solar plexus is an important part of finding the courage to be yourself.
• Create the reality you want. Using the power of your throat (expression) and sacral (creativity) chakras, speak about your success in the present tense rather than as a future wish. Imagine yourself already living the success you desire.

A little challenge for you

What would you do differently if you stopped worrying about being judged?

What would you say, create, share or put into the world if you no longer needed everyone else’s approval?

We shouldn’t have to convince everyone else that we’re right. The real work is having the courage to stand in what we believe, remain open to learning and keep going, even when others around us don’t understand.

Don’t wait for permission to fully express yourself.

If you would like to learn more about how to balance your chakras or deepen your connection with your inner being, I’d love to help. Please get in touch.

If you’d like support working through any emotional and physical issues using energy-healing practices, work with me online or 1:1 in my Canberra therapy rooms.

Enjoying this content? Tune into my Wellness Valley Podcast, where I speak to inspirational healers and share stories of hope, wellbeing and personal growth (available on Spotify, Amazon and my website) and on my Wellness Valley Substack.

Find Jo Shipley at linktr.ee/joshipley