THAT’S a title from a book, and I agree. It takes courage to be disliked, but maybe dislike is too intense. Not being liked is more like it.
This thought came to mind because a friend (and a former colleague) posted on her Instagram story something on the topic. I sent her an encouraging message. She replied, “Sana ol.”
During our time, we were not encouraged to act and think as we wanted to. We were all taught to be nice and good to everyone. To always say the right things, which translates to good things. Nothing wrong with it but nothing is wrong, too, with being honest and frank.
Being goody two shoes can also be tiring, especially when you’re screaming inside to say what's on your mind. Although, you don't have to be Ms. Congeniality at all times as long as you don't step on other people’s toes.
They think we are weird and eccentric if we deviate from the accepted norm. Not all of us want to fit in just to be liked. I'd rather be frowned upon for staying true to myself than please everybody for trying to fit in.
However, as I relayed to Hazel, that was me before I started working. The moment I entered the corporate jungle, I met my new self. The self I never knew existed. I met and socialized with people I barely just met.
The old me only socialized with people I’m close to, relatives not exempted. When my maternal grandmother knew I was with sales and marketing in my first job, she did not hide her shock. She told my father, “Na unsa na, di man na ganahan ug tao.” Wow! How did my Lola Noning see me?
Working makes you wear different hats. You do it because you have to and you love your job. And as any adulting 101 would tell you, for survival.
There are days you’re a finance adviser, sometimes an engineer, and there are days when you're general services. But what you wanted at that precise moment was to be on an island drinking Cosmo.
Wear whatever hat you want. Do what works for you. In the end, it’s yourself that you need to please. You dress up to look good, feel good, and not because you want affirmation. The only confirmation I need is that mirror telling me I look good.
