I would say everyone has probably made their opinion on Zach Bryan by now. Either all his songs sound the same, I love all his music or he's okay. While his music is easy listening and some pieces can sound common. I enjoy his lyrics more and more each day.
I see a lot of Instagram reels, "My husband's super outgoing life of the party". While the wife sits by herself or plays with the dog to recharge her social batteries. I can't help but relate to those more and more each day. I'm not the type to sit at a volleyball game and talk drama to the mom next to me. I'm not the type of person to just unload my day on some random person at Kwik Trip. I mostly am reserved and keep my circle of trust relatively small.
I wouldn't say I have a resting bitch face. In fact, I have quite the opposite, people tell me EVERYTHING. But I would agree with Zach Bryan, until I can find genuine kindness in someone, people might find me distasteful. I wouldn't want people to confuse that with my kindness. I might not be overly outgoing and flirty like my husband, but I am weary of trusting people right away. I have a defensive front and that is to protect myself and others. The sad part is that I feel like I have to defend that and I shouldn't have to.
I think that trickles into other things that bother me. If people were more honest and transparent, our opinions would be heard. Instead of telling someone "Nothing is wrong" and then telling another person"Wow I hate that or Why did she do that". If we voice our concerns and people are receiving them, imagine the world we could become. It is so hard for some people to say "Hey what you did wasn't right". We need to not be defensive about their comment but more thankful for the fact they came forward. Speaking up is a hard thing for a person to do, let us hear them, think about what they said, and figure out what can be fixed.
There are unkind people in the world. They aren't unkind because they look a certain way. They are unkind because they have struggles. They are unkind because life isn't going their way. They are unkind because they were brought up without experiencing happiness. If we find more kindness in ourselves we will form allies and relationships. If we are less defensive and aggressive about constructive criticism we will become some of the best leaders people have ever seen. If you say you have an open-door policy then mean it.
You don't have to be the fun one, you don't have to be the life of the party, you don't have to agree with everything. I have always spoken up. In my adult life, it has made me feel like a complainer. Until recently I talked to an executive who was just signing off on the call and said "Hey Mary", "Yeah Taylor what's up?" "Never stop speaking up".
Be honest, be kind, and be a good person. That's what it takes to feel belonging.
