I'm learning not to react.
I’ve had a few situations lately where I really wanted to defend myself… like, not just calmly explain, but jump up and say, “That’s not even close to true.” And, since I’m always honest with you, part of me doesn’t just want to set the record straight… I want people to realize how ridiculous it all is. I want instant redemption.
But I've started thinking… if someone came at me like that... all loud and emotional, telling me I’m wrong... would that actually change my mind? Probably not. I’d shut down. Or get defensive. Or just think, “Wow… ooookaaaay.” (This has happened before and it didn’t exactly make me see their side.)
That mini epiphany has me rethinking something else. Maybe not every accusation requires a response. Maybe silence isn’t weakness. Maybe sometimes it’s restraint… or even trust.
There’s that example of Jesus not defending Himself, not arguing every false claim, and I used to think, “I don’t know how that’s possible.” In fact, I've wanted to jump into my Bible and come to His defense. Probably screaming like a woman possessed, but really: why didn't He stand up to them? But now I’m starting to see… maybe He didn’t need to. (Funny how He was always dealing with everything perfectly all along, right?)
Because here’s what I’ve noticed: when you don’t react, people often reveal themselves. If something isn’t true, it eventually falls apart on its own. And the more someone pushes something that isn’t real or true… the more obvious it becomes.
A little side note here: every now and then, wise words spoken by my father echo in my head. Just now, I heard him advising me "Don't react... Respond." He wanted me to stop and think rather than rolling with my knee-jerk reactions. He was on to something and teenage me rarely gave him credit for all his wisdom. Responding doesn't always mean thinking before speaking. It sometimes means thinking before saying nothing. Thank you, Dad. 💫
This is the part where it gets a little harder, though. Noticing it is one thing. Actually living it out… consistently… that’s something else. That's going to take some work.
So I’m not saying never speak up. There’s definitely a time for that. But I’m realizing now that I don’t always need to rush in and defend myself. Sometimes the most powerful thing I can do… is nothing.
That leaves a space for trusting God to do what He does best.
If you’ve made it to the bottom of this post, I’m guessing something here resonated—whether it’s navigating grief and growth, diving into natural wellness, or just trying to live a more intentional life in a fast-paced world.
This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.
This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.
Want in?
You’re invited to join my newsletter, Finding What Works—a weekly-ish note from me with practical wellness tips, nostalgic nods for GenX souls, and honest reflections from someone who’s still figuring it all out (but loves sharing the good stuff along the way).
This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.
You’re invited to join my newsletter, Finding What Works—a weekly-ish note from me with practical wellness tips, nostalgic nods for GenX souls, and honest reflections from someone who’s still figuring it all out (but loves sharing the good stuff along the way).
This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.
Click here to subscribe and come along for the ride. I’d love to have you in my corner.
Have a question or something to share?
✨ My blog exists because I know what it feels like to keep everything jumbled in your head — like a messy pile of clothes you can’t sort through.
Writing it all down brings clarity, calm, and sometimes even healing answers I didn’t know I was looking for.
Honestly, that’s why I keep showing up to write — it helps me make sense of things.
Even if you have no intentions of ever publishing your work, I highly recommend writing stuff down. It doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece or even full, grammatically correct sentences... just dump those random thoughts onto paper... you'll see what I mean.
*This blog centers the GenX experience, simply because that’s the lens I live through—but anyone looking for connection, natural wellness, grief support, or a little real-talk in this messy stage of life is more than welcome.
0 Comments