First Impressions are often Wrong Impressions

It’s so easy to think we have a certain impression of someone, that we find out later is totally 100% NOT the correct one!

We form our thoughts on someone usually based on ‘’outward or surface’’ appearances.  

‘’Social’’/’’cognitive’’ and smarts by how we see them, are so easy to misjudge. 

Where I volunteer, I had someone I work with only once a week, ‘’pegged’’ in such a way that I will never forget, as the impression I had was completely on the other end in the matter of her career and other things.

I was so happy to have a chance to get to know her more - found out we have some major things in common! I had a chance to get to know her more as another staff member wasn’t there as she usually was. 

Well - it gave me something to write about! 

As I do have learning/memory and processing issues but have improved as I age, there is always room for improvement. I actually felt ashamed a little, but am in a good enough space that I am not beating myself up over it. 

She made a certain suggestion on something and I took it, and I am looking forward to getting to know her more.  

It’s important to slow our minds/hearts down and be sensitive.  

Not to be so quick to judge others on what we see on the surface (TREAT OTHERS HOW WE WANT TO BE TREATED) and how we see character/personality, etc. 

Just try and remember to take the time to really know someone before a false opinion is found (I learned these habits from a certain place, guess I know now I am ready to unlearn them). 

It happens to be my biggest frustration when some people around me see me a certain way, and have thoughts and opinions because they haven’t seen me in this or that scenario (work) or (other) and it's all based on (social) stuff, how (I sound when I talk)/ or other. 

(I have a cleft soft palate). I’m different. 

I just keep going.  

I just keep doing my best. 

You always know when you are accepted for who you are, and WE ALL need this. 

Awareness is sometimes painful, but as long as we remember, and we learn from our mistakes, and do better the next time, that’s what matters. 

Written by: 

Nahani Rose 

Living with 22q

Oct 8/2022