The Courage to Be Disliked.

“Il coraggio di non piacere” – A Powerful Italian Audiobook on Freedom from Judgment
Have you ever stopped yourself from doing something just because you were afraid of what others might think?

We’ve all been there.
In a world dominated by likes, hearts, followers, and social pressure, the fear of not being liked is real — and exhausting.

Recently, I listened to an Italian audiobook titled “Il coraggio di non piacere” by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga.
It’s a deep, eye-opening reflection on how much of our life is controlled by the desire for approval — and how to break free from it.

🎧 What is it about?
The book is based on the ideas of psychologist Alfred Adler and is structured as a conversation between a frustrated young man and a calm, wise philosopher. The young man questions everything — his unhappiness, his failures, and society’s expectations — and the philosopher answers with bold, sometimes uncomfortable truths.

The key message?

You don’t need to be liked to live a meaningful life.

🔑 Main ideas from the audiobook:
The past does not define you
You’re not a prisoner of your past. You’re responsible for how you choose to live now.

Freedom means responsibility
You’re free the moment you stop blaming others — but freedom requires the courage to face yourself.

Others’ opinions are not your task
You can’t control what others think of you. And you shouldn’t let that control your life.

Wanting to be liked is a trap
When you live to please others, you give up your own identity.

🪞 My reflection
Listening to this audiobook felt like being called out — in a good way.

I started asking myself:

How often do I make choices based on fear of judgment?

Am I really living for myself, or just avoiding rejection?

The book didn’t just give me answers — it gave me questions worth asking every day.

🎧 Want to listen?
The audiobook is available in Italian on Audible.
Here’s the link: https://amzn.to/4nDUSR9
(Free with Audible’s trial)

If you understand Italian, I highly recommend it — whether you're into self-development, psychology, or just want to reflect on how you live your life.

💬 Let’s talk
Have you ever felt stuck because of what people might think?
Have you ever changed your behavior just to fit in?

Drop your thoughts in the comments — I’d love to hear how you deal with this in your life.