We’ve all experienced moments when someone snaps at us, brushes us off, or seems cold during our first interaction. Our instinct might be to label them as rude, unfriendly, or even "a bad person." But what if I told you that some of my most meaningful relationships began with a rocky first impression?
The truth is, everyone has bad days. Stress, personal struggles, or even just an off moment can make someone appear completely different from who they truly are.
It’s human to jump to conclusions. Our brains are wired to quickly assess situations for survival, which can lead to unfair labels such as Ohhh, "they're too full of themselves". Or t"hey just don't like me".
The problem is, one moment doesn’t define a person. Perhaps they were distracted, overwhelmed, or dealing with something painful. When I started giving people the benefit of the doubt, I discovered incredible layers beneath the surface. Empathy didn’t just help me understand them, it helped them feel seen. That’s where real connections begin..
We are all flawed, complex individuals. The person who seemed unkind today might be the very one who encourages you tomorrow. When we choose empathy over judgment, we not only allow others to be human but we also free ourselves from negativity.
I've spent some time observing at a hospital, and it's eye-opening cause I get to see people in vulnerable states, exhausted, scared, grieving. A mom who seems "cold" might just be numb from sitting by her child’s bedside for days.
I began to wonder, What’s happening beneath the surface? And how would I react if I were in their position?"
Suddenly, these "difficult" patients became real people with their own stories, fears, and reasons for their actions.
So next time someone rubs you the wrong way, ask yourself: "Could this just be a bad day?" You might be surprised by the friendship that follows.