He Says It’s A Joke, But You’re Not Laughing
Have you ever heard of the term “perceptual bias?” This is the term for the psychological phenomenon that says if we perceive something to be true, we believe this thing. And this bias is a powerful one.
When we hear something, especially if that something is repeated, we believe it. Be careful what you hear.
The first time you went out for dinner, you finished your meal before him. He called you a whale. He said it was a joke. You thought it was funny. You go out for dinner and order a salad only and take an hour to finish it, and call yourself a whale. The joke is not funny.
The first time you mispronounced a word, he called you stupid. He said it was a joke. You thought it was funny. Your midterm paper came back a grade lower than expected, you called yourself stupid. The joke is not funny.
The first time you left your blemishes uncovered, he said you were ugly. He said it was a joke. You thought it was funny. Your skin breaks out at the start of the new season and you look in the mirror and call yourself ugly. The joke is not funny.
The first time you skipped a workout because you needed a rest he poked at your tummy. He said it was a joke. You thought it was funny. You never skip workouts or take a rest and when you look at yourself you poke at your tummy. The joke is not funny.
The first time you joked with him, he said it wasn’t a joke, he didn’t think you were funny. So why is it okay for you to be a joke? It’s not.
We don’t believe everything we hear, but as humans we can believe everything we hear. Be careful what you hear.
You are beautiful.
You are beautiful.
You are beautiful.