Sumit's Inkwell

I’ve always felt like I listened to people way too much, but I never fully realized how much until I finally stopped. Not everyone—just most people. Why? Because most people don’t have what I want, so why would I continue taking advice from them?

Sounds harsh, I know. But think about it.

Over the years, I’ve noticed a steady rise in negativity. People rarely have something positive to say until you hit a rough patch. Then suddenly, everyone wants to offer advice or reassurance. They love hearing their own voice, doling out wisdom like it’s candy, patting themselves on the back for showing up with comforting words. But when life does turn around for you, when things start to go well—that’s when true colors are revealed.

I’m not saying most people are bad. That’s not fair or accurate. But it does seem like many people default to negativity. Try having a conversation about anything meaningful and you’ll see it: they either argue, dismiss your ideas, or twist your words.

Why? A few reasons, I think. Some people are wired to challenge everything—it’s just how they communicate. Others were raised with a negative outlook, believing life is nothing more than a long, difficult ride toward the end.

For me, I listened to too many voices growing up because I didn’t have a solid role model. The people who raised me fit into that negative mold. So, what’s a kid to do when there’s no one to follow? You carve your own path. And let me tell you, the teen years were the worst.

Luckily, I made it through. At 35, I’m here—still growing, still learning—thanks to a lifetime of trial and error (and more error than trial). Along the way, I met people who genuinely cared, people who offered something different: honest support. No fake smiles. No shallow advice.

I’ve learned that people talk far too much about nothing. They fill silences with worries, complaints, and tired rhetoric that burrows into your subconscious. That noise stays with you. It weighs you down. And often, it keeps you exactly where you are.

So, here’s some practical advice if you want to stop letting the wrong voices shape your life:

1. Stop reading comments on social media. We spend a lot of time online, and that’s fine. It’s part of modern life. But those comments sections? They’re toxic. Watch any well-made informative video, and someone will always find a flaw. No matter how good the content is, there’s always someone trying to tear it down. That negativity plants seeds of doubt you don’t even notice until you’re stuck.

2. Limit interactions with certain people. You can’t cut everyone off—family, coworkers, people you see every day—but you can set boundaries. Tailor your conversations. Pay attention to patterns. You ever bring something up that excites you, only to be ridiculed or shut down? It’s not random. People love complaining. They’re comfortable in chaos.

Here’s what you do: play along. Don’t dive in. Just listen, observe. Make it fun. Build character profiles in your head. Predict their next complaint. You’ll turn a negative environment into a personal game, and you’ll protect your energy.

3. Listen to yourself. This is the big one. If you’re still reading, this message found you for a reason. The most important lesson I’ve learned in my 30s? Listen to yourself first.

Some people will laugh at that. They’ll mock you, call you arrogant. Let them. Most of them don’t even realize how much garbage is in their own heads. You, on the other hand, already feel it. You’ve just been tuned into the wrong frequency.

You know who you are. You know what you need. Trust that. And once you do, you’ll start hearing voices worth listening to.

Like mine.

—Yours Truly,
Sumit Randhawa