Haters Gonna Hate

Only a few days into this journey, and it happened…my first hater! I did not see this coming at all! My intention (for now) is to keep things light, and I had no idea that anything I said could have offended anyone.

I was riding high on an endorphin rush from a super intense workout at Cyclebar, when I looked at my phone in shock! I saw a misguided, and baseless, rant from a grumpy-old-man directed at me! My first thought “I’m doing something right! I got my first hater!”

I spent the half hour drive home from Cyclebar crafting responses to his negative remarks! Some were witty, some I took the “kill ’em with kindness” (aka: the high road) approach, and others I just sank to his level (but better). They were pretty clever, and calculated, which made me think that messing with a fledgling wordsmith (like myself) is a huge mistake.

I refrained from jumping in the ring with this guy. I was flattered that a dear friend of mine had already shut him down. While I was oddly delighted about the idea of having a “hater,” (I had no idea that I had the power to provoke anyone) he deleted his comments by the time I got home (’cause he was a coward).

This was an indication of the power of words. Also, a realization that having a voice could make me the target of judgement, criticism and hate. I was reminded how people are capable of behaving when they are “pseudo-anonymous,” and hiding behind their screens. Would he have said those things to my face? I doubt it.

I’m not a fragile person (at least not right now), so it was easy for me to dismiss. Please remember to be kind to everyone because you don’t know their story, their struggles or if they are going through a difficult season in their life. Words are impactful so please use them responsibly (exceptions are made for when you’re driving–the people in the other cars can’t hear you; don’t worry).

If you are the target of a hater, I have a whole array of responses in my pocket that I didn’t get to use, that I would be happy to put to use. Good words should not go to waste.

Author: deniseerlanger

I thrive in a suburb of Seattle with two toddler girl's, a teenage daughter and my handsome Realtor husband. I'm a work in progress focussed on slowing down and shifting my attention where to where it needs to be, my family. When I'm not helping husband with his work and chasing my kiddos around, I love to cook, shop, exercise and anything else to avoid housework. View all posts by deniseerlanger