I’m Not Angry, I’m Thinking

The thing people get wrong about me the most is that I’m angry all the time. I think it’s hilarious.

I tend to be really introspective, and I guess sometimes that shows on my face. Maybe it’s just resting-you-know-what face. I don’t know. I take my time, and I’m thoughtful about how I want to say what I want to say. People often mistake that for me being angry or upset about something.

I’m not.

As I’ve gotten older, I want to really think about how I respond to things. So many people just spout off. They say whatever comes to mind without really considering the impact of what they’re saying or how someone else is going to respond. I’m processing all of that while I’m talking, while I’m thinking through what I’m going to say.

I try to tell people, “I’m not angry. I’m just thinking.”

Sometimes I talk very fast. Other times, when I’m processing, I slow down because I’m trying to find the right words to land in the conversation so they don’t come across the wrong way.

I think people are always so quick to get to the end that they don’t take the time to think about the middle. I’m in the middle trying to process how to get to the end and have the right end to the conversation.

That’s why I laugh about it. It really is the thing people get wrong about me the most.

I get very passionate about what I believe in. I’m passionate about the things that excite me, and people often mistake that for aggression or anger. It’s not. It’s excitement. Maybe it’s the tenor of my voice. I don’t know. But I often find it hilarious that people think I’m angry when I’m just passionate.

Weird how passion gets exchanged for anger.

And I don’t just mean at work. I mean everywhere. I can be overly excited. I talk with my hands. People get nervous about that.

It’s like, calm down, people. I’m just excited. I’m thoughtful.

Maybe they need a mirror.

I don’t know.

Anyway…

I’m just a passionate person.