We all have reasons we don’t like something. We think a certain comedian isn’t funny or is a hack. We think a certain author is too basic or overhyped. We think that Oscar-winning movie is total garbage. We know what’s stupid and lame, what’s low brow or trash, what’s fake and what’s real, authentic and commercial. It’s interesting how certain we are with these opinions about particular people or products. Far less often do we stop and think, “Oh maybe I’m just not the audience for that.”

Stoicism is often the victim of this by academics. The philosophy is too simple, too self-helpy, too repetitive. Daily Stoic itself is accused of that very thing by fans of Stoicism. I don’t need a coin to remind me of my mortality. Why not just read the original texts instead of some modern book? But again, what if maybe–just maybe–it’s not for you. Maybe it’s for someone else.

Someone who is struggling. Someone who just wants to relax at the end of the day. Someone who needed a reminder. Someone with different experiences or preferences than you. Someone with different needs than you at this very moment.

The wiser and smarter we get should not correspond with an increase in snootiness or elitism. On the contrary, we should become more understanding, more accepting. We’ve talked many times about the idea of being strict with yourself and tolerant of others. Nowhere should that idea be applied more than when it comes to taste. Push yourself, have strong or exacting opinions for what you consume, for what you like.

But why on Earth would you feel the need to have an opinion on what other people like? Why would you want to denigrate what they are getting out of something? Why would you need to step on their joy?

Focus on your own journey. Leave everyone else to their own. Unless, of course you have a helpful suggestion or recommendation–just as others have given you. In which case, be a good fan and provide it!