I tend to move fast. It’s not that I’m rushing, it’s just how I’m wired. I don't try to force that pace on anyone else—everyone has their own rhythm and way of doing things. The truth is, speed leads to mistakes; you can't catch everything when you're moving at a clip. I try to slow down sometimes, and honestly, the results are much better. I pay closer attention, even though my natural instinct isn't to obsess over every tiny detail. I used to slip up quite a bit, but by dialing back the speed, I've managed to keep errors to a minimum. I thrive in roles that require precision without being pedantic; anything too meticulous just drains me. My previous job was soul-crushing. It didn't recharge my batteries and it certainly wasn't fun. There were bits I enjoyed, sure, but the work itself was just uninspiring. And when you're in a spot like that, you just have to grind through it, no matter how mind-numbing it gets...🙂
Always being bubbly and smiling isn't really my vibe. Honestly, I think those people are just actors playing a part to curate an "image." They’re obsessed with how they come across—trying to impress someone, landing a guy they fancy, or hunting for anyone they deem a "good catch." I learned this the hard way from a former friend. She was always beaming; you'd see her on the street and she’d act like seeing you was the highlight of her week. Total fake. When things actually got rough for me, she showed her true colors—purely superficial. Once her relationship with the guy she actually liked fell through, she just settled for some random dude she didn't care about just to avoid being alone and to escape her mother's constant nagging (though she’d never admit that's why she married him). People like that aren't necessarily "evil," but they are nothing like the persona they try to sell you. They live for gossip and look down on everyone else. Cutting ties with her was one of the smartest moves I ever made. Less drama, less anxiety, and none of the usual headaches that come with that type of person... I'm pretty serious by nature, but there's a lighter side to me that's much more cheerful than people realize at first glance. Still, my behavior toward acquaintances remains grounded and composed, or at least that's the impression I aim to leave. It’s all just performative laughter and exaggeration to mask a much darker personality underneath. In my experience, a huge part of them is driven by pure opportunism.
Pride is a healthy trait when kept in check. We’re all human, after all, so having a sense of self-respect is perfectly normal. Some people take it too far, though. They act like they were born with a halo, thinking they’re somehow superior to everyone else... It’s pure arrogance. I honestly believe the more full of oneself a person is, the less they actually matter. Everyone deserves their dignity, and that should never be compromised. In this life, everything comes down to moderation. Balance is the foundation for everything. Being overly proud is a mistake. Hubris always leads to a downfall.
If that’s how you want to roll, fine. It’s your right to stay exactly the same if it makes you happy. Personally, I don't think people actually change—not their core character or psychological makeup. Your flaws and virtues? They're baked in. You're who you are. But life experience and circumstances definitely shift your perspective on people, the world, what matters, and what doesn't... even at work. The essence of a person stays constant, but their vision becomes sharper, clearer... Life either toughens you up or completely breaks you. It all depends on what kind of hand you're dealt... Everyone is fighting their own battle. Everyone has their wins and their losses, big and small. You can't miss every shot, and you can't hit every one either. If we did, we wouldn't be human; we'd be something much more perfect.