Not caring what people think vs impressing them [View all]

Was just wondering, I have heard you shouldn't care too much what people think of you, best to just be yourself. I even had a counselor (though a pretty unorthodox one), tell me it is almost a sin to care too much what people think of you.

But on the other hand, there is always the advice to make a good impression and how important that is.

I know I care way too much what people think, but then hardly ever impress people, except very rarely, a person that may see my unique qualities and appreciate them.

Lately I have been watching a lot of videos of that US poet laureate, Juan Felipe Herrera, and he is very much himself I think, but also he really impresses people by being so likeable, which I think he tries very hard to be likeable.

Anyway, just some passing thoughts.