Let’s face it—we’ve all done it. That quick side-eye, the silent “What are they wearing?” thought, or the immediate mental note when someone says something you don’t get. Judgement is basically a knee-jerk human reaction. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s cool. In fact, it’s kind of like wearing socks with sandals—technically allowed, but should we really?
In a world bursting with diversity, complexity, and more plot twists than a soap opera, it’s wild how fast we jump to conclusions about people we barely know. So, let’s hit the pause button on snap judgements and dive into why empathy is the ultimate glow-up.
The Power of Empathy: Your Brain’s Secret Superpower
Sure, judgement comes naturally—but so does empathy. Think of it as your brain’s underrated feature, like the hidden pockets in your favourite jacket. Empathy lets you slip into someone else’s shoes (metaphorically, of course, unless you’re really into swapping footwear).
It’s not about agreeing with everyone or turning into a human doormat. It’s about this simple concept:
“Maybe there’s more to this person than what I see.”
Empathy is like giving your assumptions a timeout. Instead of thinking, “Why are they acting like that?” try, “I wonder what’s going on behind the scenes.” Spoiler alert: there’s always more going on.
Growing Up in a World of Change
Imagine a life where your surroundings change every few years, where your identity is not bound to a single place but an amalgamation of cultures, languages, and experiences. For some, this is not a hypothetical scenario but a reality.
Take, for instance, I as an individual who grew up in various countries due to my parent’s work with the Dutch Embassy. Childhood was a tapestry of cultures and languages, constantly adapting to new environments and an ever-evolving sense of self.
Judging such a person based on superficial aspects of their life would be unfair and misguided, as it ignores the rich tapestry of experiences that shaped them.
Hidden Battles: The Stuff You Don’t See
Everyone’s fighting battles. Some wear theirs like badges; others tuck them deep inside, invisible to the world.
- That super confident coworker? Might be battling anxiety behind the scenes.
- The friend who’s always “the funny one”? Could be masking depression with jokes.
- The person who seems distant? Maybe dealing with grief they’re not ready to share.
When we judge based on surface-level stuff, we’re like people critiquing a book cover without reading the story. Spoiler: The plot is always more complicated.
The Danger of Stereotyping: When Your Brain Gets Lazy
Stereotyping is basically judgement’s sloppy cousin. It’s what happens when we put people into neat little boxes because it’s easier than doing the mental work of, you know, seeing them as individuals.
- “They’re from [insert country]? Must be like this.”
- “They dress like that? Must believe this.”
- “They look a certain way? Must act like this.”
Boring, right? And wrong, obviously.
Stereotypes flatten people into cartoons, ignoring the messy, beautiful, complex reality of who they are. Plus, they’re the gateway drug to full-on discrimination. Hard pass.
The Ripple Effect: Your Judgment Doesn’t Stay in a Bubble
Think judging someone is no big deal because you kept it in your head? Think again.
Judgement is like throwing a stone into water—the ripples spread.
- It affects how you treat people, even in small, unconscious ways.
- It can create divides where there should be connections.
- It feeds into a culture where people feel like they have to hide who they are.
But guess what? The opposite is true, too.
A small moment of empathy can ripple just as far—sometimes even further.
Famous Faces, Hidden Struggles
Think celebrities have it easy? Think again. Here’s proof that you never know someone’s story just by looking at them.
| Celebrity | Struggles/Challenges |
|---|---|
| Demi Lovato | Mental health issues, addiction recovery |
| Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson | Childhood poverty, depression |
| Lady Gaga | Mental health struggles, sexual assault survivor |
| Selena Gomez | Lupus diagnosis, mental health advocacy |
| Johnny Depp | Legal battles, personal turmoil |
| Oprah Winfrey | Childhood abuse, poverty, discrimination |
| Meghan Markle | Racism, mental health struggles, public scrutiny |
| Robert Downey Jr. | Substance abuse, legal troubles, career revival |
| Chrissy Teigen | Postpartum depression, online harassment |
| Justin Bieber | Mental health issues, fame-related challenges |
If even people with fame and fortune face invisible battles, imagine what’s hidden in the lives of the people you pass every day.
So, what’s the takeaway?
Next time you catch yourself about to judge someone—pause.
Ask yourself:
- “Do I know the whole story?”
- “Is this assumption helping anyone?”
- “What if I gave them the benefit of the doubt instead?”
Judgement is easy. Empathy takes effort—but it’s worth it.
Because at the end of the day, we all just want to be seen, heard, and understood. And that starts with giving each other the space to be more than what meets the eye.
Your Challenge: Be Less Judgey, Be More Curious
- See someone acting weird? Maybe they’re having a bad day.
- Meet someone different from you? Ask questions. Be curious.
- Catch yourself stereotyping? Flip the script. Imagine their story beyond the surface.
Because here’s the plot twist:
When you stop judging, you don’t just make the world better for others—you make it better for yourself. More connections, more stories, more depth. And isn’t that what life’s all about?
So, let’s put the judgement down and pick up a little more empathy.
The world doesn’t need more critics. It needs more listeners.
