This article extends a reader's query from the past article about being labelled.
At some point in our lives, most of us have been labelled. Sometimes it is based on assumptions, sometimes on partial truths, and sometimes on rumours. It can feel frustrating or painful, especially when people only see a small piece of who we truly are. But in many ways, this tendency is part of being human. We all look for certainty, and one of the ways we try to find it is by giving things and people a name or a definition.
It is a natural instinct. When we meet someone new, our minds often begin to form quick impressions. This is linked to a psychological concept known as the need for cognitive closure. It refers to our desire for clear answers and our discomfort with uncertainty. When something feels unclear or unpredictable, many people try to quickly define it to feel more secure. That includes how we perceive other people. We try to make sense of someone early on so we know where we stand and how to interact with them.
This helps explain why people sometimes make fast judgments or hold onto first impressions. Labelling offers a sense of control, even when those labels are incomplete or inaccurate. And once an impression is made, it can be difficult to shift.
While we cannot control how others choose to see us, we do have a choice in how we respond.
We cannot stop others from making assumptions, just as we sometimes make them about others too. If someone chooses to believe a rumour or accept a first impression as the full story, we must remember that we cannot change a mind that is closed.
But not everyone is like that. There are people who are willing to listen. People who ask instead of assume. People who take the time to understand. These are the ones who value genuine connection. They remind us that we are allowed to grow and evolve, and that we do not need to stay stuck in someone else’s idea of who we should be.
So if you have ever felt misjudged or boxed in by someone else’s perception, know this. You are not the labels people place on you. You are allowed to change. You are allowed to be more. The people who truly matter will take the time to see who you are beyond the surface.
If this message speaks to you, feel free to share it with someone who might need the reminder.
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