I Love Being Underestimated💅
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Hi angels! This is a bit of a different one this today - yesterday I worked and then travelled to the beautiful Wānaka, and then I got up this morning and recorded and episode of The Shit Show, so genuinely didn't have time in the day (or this morning) to gather up the news! I'm sorry!
Thankfully though, we have Bel - who is Chiming In and saving my ass (as she does every Thursday) and I've simply added a lil 🌶spice🌶 to the end of her chime in place of the usual newsy. I think you'll still love it!
So happy reading, and I LOVE YOU ALL!
Bel Chimes In: On why being underestimated is a secret gift
Luce Chimes In: Also on why being underestimated is a secret gift
OUR FINAL LOVE ISLAND DEBRIEF
Bel Chimes In: On why being underestimated is a secret gift
This section is written by my crush, the refreshing-as-a-house-chardonnay-on-a-steamy-day, Bel Hawkins. You should check out more of her beautiful words here.
Simply divine to be back here doing one of my favourite things to do each week — which is talking to you! How the hell is it August, and how the hell am I not running out of life experiences and new words to talk to you about? I love it all!
So this Chime came from a fleeting chat with Luce as we swirled coffees one morning, revelling in moments we felt underestimated and triumphed out of it. Full acknowledgement here that this is making the best out of a bad situation, but trust us - bad situations can be a gift!
To be underestimated is the experience of someone meeting you and casting unfulfilling judgements about what they think you're capable of.
For me, I think being underestimated has something to do with looking very young (Uber drivers still ask me which school I go to), being passionate about something (there's a reason we're all here!), being vulnerable (another Chime to come, no doubt!) or being real (the scripts about work were all based on fact, love that you loved them).
On the surface, it can feel shitty. Someone thinking you're not as good as you truly are. But the glory in it is having your own secret story. Of triumphs and wins and experiences and points of view and value that you inherently hold in both who you are and what you bring to the world.
Underestimated's moment of redemption is that truly satisfying feeling when you defy someone's expectations of you. It's the look in their eye. Their facial expression. What's the saying? Quiet success is the best revenge.
You may not always be the smartest person in the room, but you can be the best person to be around within it. Don't be afraid to remind people of that. White men have been doing it for years, and look at where that's got them!
x
PS. After getting so much feedback on the lol workplace scripts and your own harrowing experiences (we're phoenixing in this world, together), I wanted to share with you this Toni Morrison quote, which I was reminded of the other day, which I think of often. I think you'll love it too:
I also want to ✨Chime In✨ here
In case you couldn't tell, Bel and I are incredibly similar (twin flames, mutual crushes etc etc etc) which is why almost every conversation I have with her helps me phoenix (and helps her write yet another fucking killer chime.) As per usual, she's smashed it up there with her explo about the pure joy of being underestimated. The reason I'm coming in here with some extra chat is because I feel incredibly stongly about this.
I think I get a lot of my confidence from knowing that when I go into a room of businessmen, or people who are older and wiser (???) than me, they must look at my pink hair, toddler-esque outfits, resting smile face and 5"0 frame and think... who the fuck is this?? And I love that, because from the get-go there's no expectation for me to be anything other than me. They probs don't expect me to know what's going on in X global crisis, or be able to explain Web3, or know that I have millions of besties that I chat to on a daily basis (that's you!!)- and that's fine because as Bel says above 'the glory in it is having your own secret story' and that's more than enough for me!!
And if that's enough already, then those moments where someone really sees you - those special people in your life that let you shine - or help you shine (like a mentor, or a new friend, or someone who really gets and supports what you do, and yes if you think I'm talking about you, then I am talking about you) that is the icing on the fucking cake. If you always expect to be underestimated, then those moments where you're... estimated??? Or just seen are the sweetest moments in life.
Of course, being okay with being underestimated means that you must have a level of confidence/smugness about yourself, and so you should! You are the shit, and you need to believe that - whether the people in the room with you choose to see it or not 💘
LOVE ISLAND FINALE
Ok, I promise I’m not going to spoil it for you in here, but WE DO TALK ABOUT THE WINNERS IN OUR DEBRIEF HERE!!!
A Love Island Debrief: THE FINAL DEBRIEF — open.spotify.com
Luce and Liv debrief the final week of Love Island!
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19% say weekly
31% say fortnightly
26% say monthly
25% don't
I have to admit that I don't have a nail-clipping routine...
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