I HAVE this irrational fear where when I walk down the street in something that I would consider to be an even a slightly daring outfit; I get the feeling that people there are judging me.

This is a fear that I have discussed before and fortunately or unfortunately I am not the only one who suffers from it. In my case, it got so bad, that at one point I actually turned around and walked back home (which involved crossing the road and walking up a hill) all because I felt that people were judging my style choices.

Which very possibly was not true, but my mind seemed to disagree with me.

I think the problem is that we have been taught to be very aware of what other people may think about how we look. This goes beyond wearing what’s ‘on trend’ or not; rather, we are almost taught to access how someone looks on every given day.

There are many factors to consider in this assessment; is what they are wearing appropriate? Does it look new or worn? Does it qualify as mutton dressed as lamb or even lamb dressed as mutton?

That’s only the beginning. No wonder we can feel self conscious about how we look.

Despite being in love with the fashion world myself, in this scenario, I say screw what people think.

As long as you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing and you feel confident in it, then good for you. If everyone around you can take it upon themselves to be comfortable with it too, then even better. But, in my opinion I think that you should come first.

It’s a big deal to be confident in yourself, so I don’t think that it is fair for the rest of us to judge.

Sure, maybe what another person is wearing doesn’t appeal to your tastes or your standards; but that’s just your opinion. No one is asking you to agree with these people; and no one is asking you to wear what they’re wearing or do what they’re doing.

I think that this applies to a lot of walks of life. The reason that so many people feel so self conscious walking down the street is that they feel that there is a reason to be self conscious.

It’s not going to happen overnight or anything, but I think that it’s time that we are start accepting each other for who we are. If we want to display our personality through the clothing that we wear (or don’t wear for that matter) then so be it.

I would like to come to a point where I can feel like I can be who I want to be and wear what I want to wear because I live in a society that accepts people’s individuality.

I also want to live in a world where Nando’s deliver, but I guess that is besides the point.

Until next week x

• Check out Zoe O’Connor’s website teen times.eu or follow her on Twitter here