Let Them Misunderstand You, The Gita Says Stop Explaining and Walk Away

We all want to be understood. It’s human. But somewhere along the way, being understood started looking like this: Long texts explaining short decisions. Apologies for saying no. Justifications for needing space, changing, growing, healing. Exhausting yourself trying to be seen clearly by people who only look at you through the lens of their own discomfort. There’s a line from the Gita that rarely trends on Instagram, but maybe should:
“The wise do not disturb the minds of the ignorant.” - (Chapter 3, Verse 29)
It sounds harsh, but it’s not. It’s liberating. Because sometimes, the deepest self-respect is walking away without giving a speech.

Most of us aren’t trying to impress. We’re trying to be fair. You explain your choices because you don’t want to be misunderstood. You clarify your tone, your intent, your feelings, because you want people to know your heart is good. But here’s the truth: Not everyone wants to see you clearly. Some people benefit from misunderstanding you. If they admit you’ve grown, they’ll have to question why they haven’t.
If they acknowledge your boundary, they’ll lose the control they had when you didn’t have one. So they act confused. They call you “difficult.” And you end up over-explaining, not for clarity, but for permission. The Gita doesn’t ask you to become indifferent. It asks you to become discerning. Krishna tells Arjuna: Know your truth. Do your part. And let go of the results.

There’s nothing wrong with expressing yourself. There’s power in sharing your why. But if you need someone to validate your choice for you to stand by it, that’s not expression. That’s dependence in disguise. Explaining becomes a trap when it’s no longer about understanding, but about earning acceptance. In the Gita, Krishna doesn’t hand Arjuna a rulebook. He gives him a framework. He says:
“Act without attachment to approval or outcomes.” (Chapter 2, Verse 47)
Not because outcomes don’t matter, but because you matter more. Peace doesn’t come from being understood by everyone. It comes from understanding yourself enough to know you don’t have to prove it.

We live in a time where everyone has an opinion on everything, including your decisions. But there’s a difference between opinions and insight. The Gita makes this distinction clear: You are responsible for your dharma, your path, your growth, your actions. Not for managing how people interpret them.
If you’ve done your inner work, if you’ve acted with integrity, if you’ve been honest and kind, you don’t owe a closing argument. Some things are better left unsaid, not because you’re avoiding discomfort, but because you’ve learned the wisdom of quiet self-trust.

This is the hardest part. The urge to clarify, to explain, to fix someone else’s version of you, it’s strong. Especially when you care. Especially when you’ve been the “fixer” all your life. But sometimes, walking away silently is the kindest thing you can do. Kind to yourself, because you’re no longer draining your energy. Kind to them, because it forces them to reflect rather than deflect.
The Gita teaches: “Detach from the fruit of action.” Let go of trying to control how others perceive your truth. If it’s real, it doesn’t need to be defended. If it’s right, it will rise on its own.

Not out of pride. Not out of arrogance. But out of peace. The kind of peace that comes when you know who you are, and you no longer need a crowd to echo it back. When you’re finally okay with being misunderstood by some, because you’ve stopped misunderstanding yourself.
So, if you’re wondering whether it’s time to stop explaining yourself, Here’s your answer: You already have. You’re just waiting for permission. And this? This is it.
Because sometimes, silence isn’t weakness. It’s the Gita, quietly whispering: “You don’t need to be louder. You just need to be sure.”