How to be kind?
The story
I’ve been working at this company for only a few weeks now, and honestly, I’m already exhausted by how much self-control it takes to be kind all the time. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not rude, and I don’t snap at anyone, but internally? I’m fighting a war every day just to keep my mouth shut. Some of these coworkers act like they’ve never heard of basic courtesy or professional boundaries. They overshare, they interrupt, they make assumptions, and it’s like I’m expected to keep smiling through all of it. Clients aren’t much better. You can be polite, patient, even go out of your way to help—and still, they’ll throw some passive-aggressive comment your way or complain that you didn’t “sound friendly enough.” I get it; everyone has their own crap to deal with, and maybe I’m being too sensitive. But seriously, how are you supposed to be kind when people keep pushing your buttons?!! I try to breathe through it, tell myself it’s just a job, it’s just people being people, but it’s tough. And the worst part is—I want to be kind. I want to be seen as someone who’s approachable, easy to work with, someone who makes things better, not worse. But when you’re constantly dealing with entitled attitudes and phony small talk, it becomes less about kindness and more about performance. And that performance wears you out.
The thing is, I don’t think I’m mean. I just think I’m running out of energy to fake warmth all the time. Is kindness supposed to feel this forced? I watch some of my coworkers smile so easily, laugh with clients, crack jokes in meetings—and I wonder, how do they do it?? Are they not tired? Are they not annoyed? Or am I just wired differently? There’s this pressure to keep up the vibe, be the guy who’s always positive, who never rolls his eyes, never says the thing everyone’s thinking but knows they shouldn’t. But suppressing those reactions—it’s messing with my head. It feels dishonest. And yet, saying what you really feel? That gets you labeled difficult or unprofessional. So I sit there, nodding, agreeing, thanking people who make my job harder, pretending not to care when someone takes credit for something I did. I replay conversations in my head on the way home, wondering if I sounded cold, if I should’ve smiled more, if I was too blunt. And it’s not just about how others see me; I don’t want to turn bitter. I’ve seen what that looks like, and it’s ugly. So I try, every day, to show kindness even when it doesn’t feel earned—especially then, actually; because I guess that’s the whole point of kindness, right? But it’s not easy. And some days, I wonder if anyone notices. Or cares. Maybe I’m just overthinking the whole thing. But you ever feel like being kind is more about survival than sincerity? Like, if you stop being kind, everything around you would collapse? What’s the line between being a decent person and being a doormat? 🧠
Stories in the same category
Points of view
Hey there! I totally get where you're coming from, but let's take a step back for a moment. Maybe it's not about faking kindness, but about finding that genuine inner peace; After all, aren't challenges a part of life we gotta deal with??😅 Kindness isn't just some performance; it's like what Gandhi said: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Maybe it's a chance for personal growth?😉 Perhaps you might be too hard on yourself, huh? Imagine if we all stopped trying - would the world just go downhill???? Embrace this as a learning curve, build some resilience, and before long, you’ll realize that the energy you put out will eventually come back to you.✨ Keep your chin up and remember, life’s too short to sweat the small stuff! 💪
Hey, I get it, work can be a pain sometimes, but you might be overthinking this a bit 🤔. As the old saying goes, "fake it till you make it." Not all of us get the luxury of job utopia; If others can keep it cool, maybe there's a trick you're missing? Think of it as building your soft skills—it's a killer asset in any industry. Don’t let those bad vibes eat up your mental bandwidth. Focus on what you can control and let the rest slide. Stay optimistic; in the long run, you'll come out stronger!
Honestly, it sounds like you're taking this whole kindness thing a bit too personally?!! While it's true that workplace dynamics can be exhausting, isn't this a chance for you to develop emotional intelligence?? Maintaining a veneer of kindness, even when it's challenging, is an essential aspect of professional decorum; It can be the difference between conflict and cooperation. Instead of approaching this as a performance, consider it a skill set that could enhance your professional toolkit. You may actually find that cultivating this demeanor contributes to a harmonious work environment, rather than merely sapping your vitality. 🤔
I understand your frustration, but perhaps you're viewing the situation through a narrow lens. It's important to remember what Mother Teresa said: "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." Keeping a positive demeanor can boost workplace morale and even improve client relations. Instead of seeing kindness as a burden, consider it a valuable skill in your professional development. It's not just about managing others' expectations but also about building resilience in yourself. Stay hopeful; this could be an opportunity for personal growth.
I hear what you're saying, but maybe you're taking this whole kindness thing a bit too hard?!! I used to feel the same way when I started in my job, thinking everybody else's bad vibes were getting to me. It's like that old saying goes, "Treat others how you want to be treated." You might be blowing things out of proportion. Yes, some people might be annoying, but these interactions are part and parcel of any workplace; Sometimes, it helps to step back and remind yourself that not everyone is out to make your life difficult. You'd be surprised at how your attitude can change the vibe around you. I've found that when I stopped letting every little thing get to me, I started enjoying work more. Don't put so much pressure on yourself; maybe cut yourself some slack and see how things go.
i totally get where you're coming from, but maybe you're being a bit harsh on yourself?!! dealing with different personalities is part of the professional landscape; it's how you build interpersonal skills. it might feel forced now, but with time, it gets easier. think of it as an opportunity to grow rather than a burden. kindness, especially when it feels undeserved, can actually influence a more positive work environment. stay optimistic—you're building resilience, and that's invaluable! 😊