--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you stop caring what people think…" description: "\"When you stop caring what people think, you lose your capacity for connection. When you're defined by it, you lose our capacity for vulnerability.\" — B..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/bren-brown-280_capacity_when-you-stop-caring-what-people-think-y_2217814.jpg" --- # When you stop caring what people think, you lose your… ![“When you stop caring what people think, you lose your capacity for connection. When you're defined by it, you lose our capacity for vulnerability.” quote by Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/bren-brown-280_capacity_when-you-stop-caring-what-people-think-y_2217814.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/bren-brown-280_capacity_when-you-stop-caring-what-people-think-y_2217814.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5e/bren-brown-280_capacity_when-you-stop-caring-what-people-think-y_2217814.jpg) > “When you stop caring what people think, you lose your capacity for connection. When you're defined by it, you lose our capacity for vulnerability.” [Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prioritizing others' opinions can hinder authentic connections and vulnerability, limiting deep relationships. **In simple terms:** Caring too much about others' views blocks true connection. Key Takeaway Balance self‑care with openness. Themes vulnerability connection authenticity Mood reflective cautious Type advice psychology When to use this quote - personal relationships - leadership - teamwork - mental health Key Concepts self‑esteem social anxiety Questions to Reflect On - How can you protect your self‑worth while staying open? - What boundaries help maintain healthy connections? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on others' judgments can cause isolation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Capacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity/) [Caring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caring/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Connection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connection/) [Defined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defined/) [Lose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lose/) [Lose Capacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lose-capacity-1321338/) [Our](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-think/) [Stop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop/) [Stop caring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-caring/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Think Lose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-lose-642791/) [Vulnerability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vulnerability/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) [Your](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your/) ## Related quotes > [When you say 'I' and 'my' too much, you lose the capacity to understand the 'we' and 'our'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/when-you-say-i-and-my-too-much-you-lose-the-capacity-to-understand/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [When you lose the capacity to dream, you lose the capacity to love, and the energy to love is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/when-you-lose-the-capacity-to-dream-you-lose-the-capacity-to-love-and/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [The intention and outcome of vulnerability is trust, intimacy and connection. The outcome of oversharing is distrust, disconnection - and usually a little judgment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/the-intention-and-outcome-of-vulnerability-is-trust-intimacy-and/) [Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“When we stop caring about what people think, we lose our capacity for connection. When we become defined by what people think, we lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/when-we-stop-caring-about-what-people-think-we-lose-our-capacity-for/) [Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Live-tweeting your bikini wax is not vulnerability. Nor is posting a blow-by-blow of your divorce . That's an attempt to hot-wire connection. But you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/live-tweeting-your-bikini-wax-is-not-vulnerability-nor-is-posting-a/) [Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Faith minus vulnerability and mystery equals extremism. If you've got all the answers, then don't call what you do 'faith.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/faith-minus-vulnerability-and-mystery-equals-extremism-if-you-ve-got/) [Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [The best marriages are the ones where we can go out in the world and really put ourselves out there. A lot of times…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/the-best-marriages-are-the-ones-where-we-can-go-out-in-the-world-and/) [Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Waking up every day and loving someone who may or may not love us back, whose safety we can't ensure, who may stay in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/waking-up-every-day-and-loving-someone-who-may-or-may-not-love-us/) [Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [I used to think that I could never lose anyone if I photographed them enough. In fact, my pictures show me how much I’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-used-to-think-that-i-could-never-lose-anyone-if-i-photographed-them/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [When you empty yourself of the illusions of who and what you think you are, there is less to lose than you had feared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-orsborn/when-you-empty-yourself-of-the-illusions-of-who-and-what-you-think/) [Carol Orsborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-orsborn/) > [People seem to think when you lose a match it's because you are not working hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/people-seem-to-think-when-you-lose-a-match-it-s-because-you-are-not/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [Players should not be concerned too much with the wind. If you think too much about it, you lose your swing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seve-ballesteros/players-should-not-be-concerned-too-much-with-the-wind-if-you-think/) [Seve Ballesteros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seve-ballesteros/) > [I am a winner - and I like to win - but I cannot think that, if I lose, I did not do a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-seedorf/i-am-a-winner-and-i-like-to-win-but-i-cannot-think-that-if-i-lose-i/) [Clarence Seedorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-seedorf/) > [In boxing, if you think you will lose... you're already halfway there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/in-boxing-if-you-think-you-will-lose-you-re-already-halfway-there/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [If you want to know whether you are destined to be a success or a failure in life, you can easily find out. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-j-hill/if-you-want-to-know-whether-you-are-destined-to-be-a-success-or-a/) [James J. Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-j-hill/) ## More by Brene Brown > [We're raising children who have little tolerance for disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/we-re-raising-children-who-have-little-tolerance-for-disappointment/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“always put off writing by reorganizing my entire house and spending way too much time and money buying office supplies and organizing systems. Every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/always-put-off-writing-by-reorganizing-my-entire-house-and-spending/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [When you ask people about love, they tell you about heartbreak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/when-you-ask-people-about-love-they-tell-you-about-heartbreak/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“I can recognize shame when it’s happening.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/i-can-recognize-shame-when-it-s-happening/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [I carry a small sheet of paper in my wallet that has written on it the names of people whose opinions of me matter.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/i-carry-a-small-sheet-of-paper-in-my-wallet-that-has-written-on-it/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/courage-starts-with-showing-up-and-letting-ourselves-be-seen/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Waking up every day and loving someone who may or may not love us back, whose safety we can't ensure, who may stay in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/waking-up-every-day-and-loving-someone-who-may-or-may-not-love-us/) [Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“No matter how separated we are by what we think and believe, we are part of the same spiritual story.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/no-matter-how-separated-we-are-by-what-we-think-and-believe-we-are/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Perfectionism is self-destructive simply because there is no such thing as perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal. Additionally, perfectionism is more about perception -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/perfectionism-is-self-destructive-simply-because-there-is-no-such/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/shame-corrodes-the-very-part-of-us-that-believes-we-are-capable-of/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [If you're also in the arena and you're putting your ideas out and you're owning them and you're saying "I disagree with you about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/if-you-re-also-in-the-arena-and-you-re-putting-your-ideas-out-and-you/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“I found that men and women with high levels of shame resilience share these four elements: They understand shame and recognize what messages and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/i-found-that-men-and-women-with-high-levels-of-shame-resilience-share/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Connection gives purpose and meaning to our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/connection-gives-purpose-and-meaning-to-our-lives/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“But here’s the tricky part about compassion and connecting: We can’t call just anyone. It’s not that simple. I have a lot of good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/but-here-s-the-tricky-part-about-compassion-and-connecting-we-can-t/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“It turns out to be the place of true belonging, and it's the bravest and most sacred place you'll stand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/it-turns-out-to-be-the-place-of-true-belonging-and-it-s-the-bravest/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) [Explore all 759 Brene Brown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) ## More Capacity quotes > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [And you can't complain about kissing Emma Watson. Isn't that what everyone in the world wants to do? I've known Emma for a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-redmayne/and-you-can-t-complain-about-kissing-emma-watson-isn-t-that-what/) [Eddie Redmayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-redmayne/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [I was only operating at about 80% of my capacity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lomu/i-was-only-operating-at-about-80-of-my-capacity/) [Jonah Lomu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lomu/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) > [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/) [Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/) > [Disappointment contains an appointment for doing much better. High expectations mean your higher capacity and belief in abilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/disappointment-contains-an-appointment-for-doing-much-better-high/) [Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/) > [For years mental health professionals taught people that they could be psychologically healthy without social support, that “unless you love yourself, no one else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-d-perry/for-years-mental-health-professionals-taught-people-that-they-could/) [Bruce D. 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