Let me start by saying: I lied. Kind of. Psychology research shows that Unless You're a Psychopath, You Are OBSESSED With What Others Think of You. Because the ability to cooperate and form large societies is one of the biggest evolutionary advantages ever, we are hardwired to care tremendously when people think bad things about us.

BUT! We can absolutely decrease how sensitive to and aware of others' opinions we feel. Here are three scientifically proven ways to liberate yourself, and just be you.

This post was originally published as Eva Glasrud's answer to, "Can an awkward angry bitter lonely woman learn how to be beautiful on the inside"?

​I was recently asked how someone with several negative traits and emotions can become beautiful on the inside. Making a personal change is always hard -- but it's not as hard as you might think.  

Look, I get it. Travel is your thing​. It's what you talk about at parties. It's what you post about on social media. And your travel stories are way better than everyone else's.

​But here's the thing: if you "travel shame" people who don't travel the way you do, all it tells me is that you probably aren't that good of traveler.

Once upon a time, I met a super cool dude at a book reading. I remember the moment I saw the back of his head. Then, during the Q&A, he moved to the chair next to me, and the sparks instantly started flying. 

​But it didn't take long to figure out I never wanted to see him again.

If you love scuba diving and you haven't been to Bonaire yet, you are missing out. 

​I was fortunate enough to be there over the 4th of July this year, and I got to try something I've never done before... Underwater fireworks!

You know what I love about interacting with people who disagree with me? The inspiration that comes from hearing their viewpoints -- and the corresponding reevaluation and refining of my own views.

For example, I was recently asked whether it's sexist for women to expect to be entertained by men -- and it seemed like the asker was hoping for a definite yes. But the real​ answer... is maybe. 

Whether for your health, your fitness, or your looks, many of us want to want to work out... but we don't.

I have the opposite problem (err, "problem"): I have no interest or motivation to work out... yet I do it all the time.

We all want our kids to have happy, magical childhoods (I hope). 

And, due to changes in our society -- technology addiction, over-scheduled childhoods, and decreased participation in community activities, to name a few -- many adults feel like they don't have many friends in their neighborhood. In fact, one in four of us say we have "no close friends to talk to."

There's a simple way to address both of these issues.

Something magical happens in the summer, and I could talk all day about the amazing people I've met while traveling, or through summer internships, or even just enjoying the outdoors on a sunny day. 

Yet some of us have an easier time meeting new people than others, so I wanted to re-post some pointers I threw into a recent article. It was originally meant for daters, but really applies to everyone who wants to meet anyone. 

Last week, Franchesca Ramsey of MTV's Decoded posted this video about why "no one" wants to date Asian men, while Asian women are highly desired, sometimes to the point of being fetishized. 

Meanwhile, OkCupid has released data showing who is the most and least desired in online dating: