We all think we know what we see. But do we really?
Consider the last time you misjudged someone, or they misjudged you. Maybe because of your bubbly, loud, and silly personality, they assumed you were a “go-along-to-get-along” person and not someone with deeper thoughts or stronger beliefs. Or perhaps you misread them, thinking you understood their intentions.
These moments remind us that our perceptions are not always accurate—or that, with time and knowing more, they’ve adjusted.
It’s easy to get lulled into believing we have a clear view of the world around us. Our eyes are open, our ears alert. But perception isn’t just about what we see or hear, process, and then interpret. And not only is interpretation tricky, it can often take a long, long time.
And maybe we need to hold back a little more of ourselves than we’d like. Though we can still be fooled. Sigh.
We all think we know what we see. Swear we ‘know’ what we saw… and then, with time, that’s shattered.
How often have we glanced at someone and thought, Oh, yeah, I know them? Or heard a snippet of conversation and assumed we understood the whole story? Our minds are quick to fill in the blanks, to create narratives that fit our expectations.
And what happens when those perceptions are wrong?
That person you thought was next-level goofy, only to discover they were just shy, and this was their armor. Or perhaps you assumed someone was uninterested in you, your work, your idea—only to find out they were overwhelmed and couldn’t focus because of all the things they had going on. For me, it’s moments like this that hit me hard, especially when I’ve gotten it wrong, and remind me that perceptions are just that, and often, not remotely accurate. At least long-term.
Recognizing that our perceptions are filtered through our experiences, biases, and expectations, and by acknowledging this, we can begin to question our assumptions and open ourselves to new perspectives.
But awareness can’t be the be-all. We also need curiosity. That willingness to keep asking more questions, digging deeper, and seeking understanding beyond the surface.
And how can I forget the need for humility? Humbling ourselves to admit that we don’t know everything, that our perceptions are limited, and that others may see things differently. Aka, said shorter, and louder for all of us… We Were So Wrong!
So, how do we navigate a world where our senses can deceive us?
One judgy-arse raised eyebrow at a time? Sure, that can work. And we can become aware. If I, or you, are the one in the wrong, recognize it and apologize… quickly! If someone has wronged you—in the negative—decide if you want to correct them. Is your connection with them worth it? Or maybe you don’t care to change their incorrect view of you. Whichever fits you, go with it and find your peace. Always!
