Feeling misunderstood has been a significant trigger for me, something I've grappled with for as long as I can remember. It's like this shadow that's followed me since childhood. I used to say I was an equal opportunity target for bullies, regardless of background. It wasn't just my peers; even my family and teachers seemed to be on a different wavelength from me. There was one teacher, though, who truly seemed to see me for who I was, and thinking about it now, I'm inspired to reach out to them…
Anyway, for the longest time, I felt like an outsider, as if I were from another planet. It's come to a point where I've accepted that most people only know a version of me, a persona, rather than who I truly am. And to an extent, I'm okay with not being fully understood. It's when my intentions are misinterpreted, and people assume the worst about my actions, that I feel my worst. It's a kind of misunderstanding that cuts deep, triggering feelings I've worked hard to overcome.
My aim now is to become indifferent to being misunderstood, to treat it with the same nonchalance I've learned to approach not being fully understood. Acknowledging this trigger is my first step. By bringing it into my conscious awareness, I hope to recognize the early signs of being triggered and address them head-on. This reflection is part of my journey to understand and mitigate this trigger, a step towards healing and growth.