

It's easy to turn a blind eye to things we swear aren't important or feel are worrisome and don't deserve energy. But sometimes, brushing things under the rug and acting "unbothered" are the core reasons we lack growth in certain areas. When the same lessons keep appearing in different forms, situations, and people, it's because we haven't dealt with certain issues appropriately. It's a reminder that we have some healing to do before we can really move forward freely and live life blessed not stressed.
Aside from being a Mean Girl, when we pretend like nothing matters or ever gets to us, we create this invincible character that people start to believe is really you. We become the "fake" strong friend who no one ever checks on because they think she always has life figured out. We can pretend that nothing ever phases us all we want but the reality of it is, we are all human beings and you're gonna experience a range full of emotions whether you want to address them or not.
You stunt your ability to learn and feel through things when you put up the façade of not giving a damn, and here are five ways being unbothered can hurt you more than help you in the long run:
1.Increased Trigger Points
We can try our hardest to be cool as a fan and above the BS, but oftentimes things trigger us to be cold, off-putting and downright an ass. When scenarios come around that cause us to become distant or unapproachable, we have to do some deep introspection and uncover why we even feel the way we do. It's totally OK to analyze how a situation or person makes us feel, however, we continue to be unable to identify why something triggers us when we put on a front and disregard our feelings. Denying yourself the right to feel through moments will only cause you to keep experiencing the same instances over and over again.
2.Lack of Compassion
Avoiding conflict is definitely necessary but when we pretend to have it all together, all the time, we lose touch with reality in the sense that no one walking this green earth will always have "it" figured out. Unfortunately, we all have unforeseen and undesirable moments that occur and it's perfectly fine to make sure nobody is throwing off your vibe. It's, however, another thing to be dismissive and rude to people when they are expressing themselves or going through a rough patch. We don't all grieve or handle issues in the same manner and before we become robotic and make an announcement saying, "Bih don't kill my vibe." You might want to make sure that person is stable enough to handle more rejection before you give the cold shoulder.
3.Unrealistic Expectations
The motto "you can get with this or you can get with that" only applies when you are choosing if you personally want to identify, acknowledge, or be a part of something. We can't expect anyone to think the way we think, feel how we feel, or understand our point of view. Every individual's outlook and perspective on life and situations are going to be different. We can agree to disagree with people but it's important we have an understanding of what another person's perspective is so that we aren't jumping to conclusions, cutting people off prematurely or just being judgmental.
4.Falsified Reality
It's all good until it ain't. We all know how to put on a fake smile and give our best Ms. America speech, but when it comes down to looking yourself in the mirror and seeing what your reflection displays, ask yourself, what do you see? It's so much easier for a person to act like it's all good versus expressing what they really are dying to get off their chest. Putting on the smiley mask doesn't deal with the pain, sadness, and unhappiness that may be underneath the disguise on display. The bad part about putting up a front is that when life finally hits you hard, and it will at some point or another, would you even recognize the person you've become after having to hold in so much for so long? Is your life really going in the direction you want it to be?
5.Alienated Perspective
When you become totally self-absorbed, you lose touch with what's really going on in the real world. It's cool to be focused on you, but let's be real. When everything is all about you, you can't really give a just opinion on certain life moments because you can't understand a person's viewpoint. Especially if you haven't been in their shoes. Of course, it's safe to stay wrapped up in our own lil worlds, but it also hinders us when we don't have many outside interactions with others. It causes us to lack empathy, knowledge, or the basic human nature of showing respect to a person who shows any signs of weakness. We all have our moments when we are down, frustrated, or off track, but that's where using discernment comes in handy. Analyzing whether or not a person is just going through a funk or if they're just an unfit individual will help you from losing out on people who should be a part of your life.
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter here and check out the related reads below:
For Those Who Struggle To Embrace Their Emotions
In My Feelings: Why You Can't Let Your Emotions Control You
How To Feel Emotionally Safe In Relationships
The Empath's Guide To An Emotionally-Balanced Life
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Corein Carter is a Los Angeles-based blogger, content creator and podcaster. The New Jersey native has had a love affair with words since she began penning poetry in high school and later went on to study journalism at WSSU. The self-proclaimed "Naturalista" embodies all things spiritual, plant-based, and self-care in both her daily life and through writing. You may recognize Corein's captivating voice and well-rounded perspectives from her fast growing podcast "Play on Words". Follow her journey on Twitter and Instagram @inlivingcolored.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Celebrate International Women's Day With Wellness, Empowerment & More
International Women’s Day, celebrated on Saturday, March 8th, presents an excellent opportunity to honor and celebrate women. As March marks Women’s History Month, there are numerous chances throughout the month to pay tribute to the remarkable contributions of women.
Both International Women's Day and Women's History Month serve as reminders of the progress made toward gender equality and the work still left to do.
They inspire ongoing advocacy for women's rights, fostering discussions on issues such as workplace discrimination, healthcare access, and representation in leadership. By celebrating women's contributions and amplifying their voices, these observances help pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Here are four ways to celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month.
Attend a Women History Month Event
This month, there are numerous events happening, particularly for International Women’s Day. One such event is organized by Media Girls Network, which will be held over a multi-day period starting on Thursday. The entire event is dedicated to celebrating women.
On Friday, the organization will honor prominent women in business and entertainment, including the OMG Girlz, celebrity restauranteur Gocha Hawkins, and more.
On Saturday, guests can indulge in a day of wellness and self-care, featuring a fitness class, massages, a journaling workshop, and other activities. For more information about these events, visit www.mediagirlsontour.com.
Support a Woman-Owned Business
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Reports indicate that women constitute 39.1% of business owners, and this percentage is steadily rising. In light of this, let’s celebrate and support women-owned businesses this month.
Here are a few ways to do so: shop at their establishments, leave positive reviews, follow and engage with them on social media, collaborate with them, or contribute to their crowdfunding efforts.
Support Women's Rights Groups
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Since President Trump took office, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented number of rights being reversed, including DEI programs. Women have been particularly concerned about his decision regarding abortion and reproductive rights. Recently, he dismissed the Idaho Emergency Abortion case, which was a legal battle to ensure Idahoans had access to emergency abortion care.
Writing in her Substack blog, Abortion, Everyday, journalist and abortion rights advocate, Jessica Valenti, said, “By dropping this case, the Trump administration is sending a clear message that anti-abortion states don’t have to adhere to [the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act] by giving pregnant patients life-saving care.”
Instead of waiting on Trump's next move regarding women's rights, support women's rights organizations and charities like In Our Own Voice Action Fund and Planned Parenthood.
Empower Others
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Use your voice to raise awareness about the challenges women encounter. This can be achieved through social media platforms or by speaking at local rallies and events. By leading by example, you can inspire others to get involved and contribute to the support.
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