This image is prompted in Midjourney and my property
This is wat I learned over the past few days? Well, for starters, having the flu while riding the unpredictable rollercoaster of perimenopause is not what I’d call a good time. It’s not that I’m angry or irritable, I just genuinely don’t have the energy to care about things that don’t matter. The house could be on fire, and I’d probably just sigh, wrap myself in a blanket, and hope the flames warmed me up a little. And this is a joke, I would care,I used this for pointing out how miserable I feel.
There is one thing I care about, and always. That is respect. If I ask a question and someone thinks it's acceptable to respond in the most dismissive or rude way possible, I have no problem stepping back and saying, I’ll come back to this later. Not out of anger, not to make a point, just because I don’t feel the need to engage in a disagreement for the sake of it. Healthy boundaries exist for a reason.This is something I actually share as advice in my practice: When respect isn’t served, you can leave the table. It’s not about being cold or distant, it’s about recognizing that not every conversation needs to turn into a battle.
And this isn’t me being dramatic, it iss just something I’ve noticed in everyday interactions, especially online over the years. There used to be this thing called internet etiquette (ah, the good old days, and yes I'm that old). You know, simple guidelines like:
If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, maybe don’t type it in all caps.
Debate is great, but personal attacks are unnecessary.
Just because you can say something doesn’t mean you should.
I really miss that. Because the reality is, everyone is dealing with something—even if you can’t see it. A little patience, a little kindness, and a little willingness to listen can go a long way. Uplifting others costs nothing, and yet, somehow, it feels like a lost art.
That’s why I raised my kids to do small things that matter, like helping an elderly person onto the bus, even when the driver is impatiently hovering over the door-close button. It starts with small actions, and it starts with us. Being kind doesn’t mean letting people walk all over you. It means knowing when to engage, when to step back, and when to give yourself the space to respond with clarity rather than emotion.
And that’s the key—communication is everything. It’s literally my job, and yet I’m still surprised at how creatively people can behave when they’re feeling defensive or misunderstood. Gaslighting, manipulation, passive-aggressive digs—it’s all there. And honestly? It’s exhausting.
This image is prompted in Midjourney and my property
That why I want to share a thought: if you’re feeling overwhelmed, step aside. Take a moment. Say, I’ll come back to this when I’m in a better headspace. Because one thing I know for sure, your brain cannot do two things at once.
If you’re flooded with emotion, logical reasoning takes a backseat. And maybe, just maybe, more people should understand how their own brain works. Because when you do, you don’t just understand yourself better, you start to understand others, too.
No anger, no resentment, just an observation. I’m not a bad girl with a short fuse, I just have really good boundaries. And honestly? That’s something I’ll never apologize for.
And my advice to anyone, be kind and uplifting. A smile can change a person's mood, believe in the kindness of people. And maybe trust the world again. It starts with me, and with you.
