Minding our own business pays dividends

Ashley Granby/Contributing writer

In a small town, it can be tempting to get caught up in others’ lives. From social media to gossiping with a neighbor, or at our organizational meetings, we can easily stay updated with one another’s lives. 

Unfortunately, some conversations aren’t positive. Rather, full of gossip, rumors, and spreading misinformation. Instead of uplifting each other, we demonize and tear one another down. 

If we all commit to minding our own business our community will reap significant benefits:

1. Improved mental health

Being consumed with others’ problems can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and even depression. It can create conflict, victimization, and decrease in productivity and morale.

Additionally, focusing on others’ flaws steals the energy needed to focus on our own flaws.

Focusing on our own goals and aspirations leads to a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Focusing on our own flaws gives us the space to evolve as humans, heal from traumas, and become a more productive member of society. 

2. Improved physical health

Our brains aren’t designed to be surrounded by negativity. Negativity can create chronic stress, which upsets the body’s hormone balance, depletes the brain chemicals required for happiness, and weakens the immune system. Chronic stress can lead to a decreased lifespan.

Focusing on our own life and avoiding others’ drama, or in many cases, speculation and untruth, reduces our stress levels and improves our overall well-being.

3. Improved relationships and community 

Focusing on what others are doing inadvertently interferes in their lives and further causes problems. It can strain friendships and create tension in our personal lives and community. It creates fear which causes us all to live in fight or flight mode. 

Focusing on the positive frees up space to truly get to know one another creating an authentic sense of community. 

By respecting others’ privacy and boundaries, we help create an environment where we all feel safe and secure. Thus, allowing each other to be our authentic selves and connect with one another, building lasting and trusting relationships. 

4. Improved use of time and energy 

By focusing on our own life, we can make progress towards our goals and feel a greater sense of accomplishment. How much better would our community be if each of us were solely focused on ways to not only improve ourselves and our businesses, but our town? 

Of course, there may be times when it is appropriate to intervene in someone else’s life, such as when they are in immediate danger and need our help. Or if we know our friend has a real problem, intervention can be helpful. However, it should only come from a trusted person, otherwise it’s just an act of self-righteousness and creating more harm to the person involved as well as our community. 

We should also intervene if we have first-hand knowledge of someone doing something illegally or hurting another person. We have no place in talking about any of it unless we have hard evidence to prove the accusation. Even then, go to the police. Otherwise, we need to mind our own business. 

It is best to respect others’ privacy and focus on our own life. By doing so, we can improve our mental and physical health, foster positive relationships with others, and achieve our own goals and aspirations. 

So, if we genuinely care about the reputation and overall health of our community, we must mind our own business.