The habit of being “too nice” must stop.
Whether it’s the Golden Rule, ‘Canuckness’ or believing that fairytale princesses would never do such things… our dissolving societal norms are rapidly destroying what’s left of our inherited cultural peace.
Once upon a time, we learned a special fear that if we expected anything greater, we would be left alone in the cold. All those deeply archived past experiences contain our perfected smiles and quiet nods. “It’s okay” kept the peace, kept the love, and kept the roof overhead. The chanting group dynamics demanding selflessness, left our boundaries further weakened. It all quietly remains unnoticed until it becomes too loud but too late.
While we silently watch from our isolated towers, as witnesses not warriors, we continue to lose our chances to preserve and honour our cherished fairytale kingdoms. We maintain this performed softness like porcelain dolls — beautiful, fragile, but utterly unsuitable to this modern NPC world.
Do we have another path? Can we reclaim our peace?
“You do not have to become cruel in order to stop being prey.” We are not obliged to choose between manners and self-preservation. We do not need any global permissions because our peace instinctively begins the moment it is no longer open to negotiation.
This is not punishment thru pain; it is protection thru promise.
You do not owe an explanation to someone who has already shown they will weaponize it.
Treat your time, your attention, your tenderness as the rarest currencies on earth… because they are. Learn to shift your performances from people-pleasing over to that of quiet sovereignty. Deliver it with the same grace you would use to pass the honey. No apologies for reclaimed boundaries — not even for any inconvenience your truth may cause.
The rest of the world will not instantly change because you decide to do this for yourself. But as your own life begins to reset – with your real voice and with your self empowered actions… many others will see your light and find that they too have permission to finally stop being so nice.
Kelea Quinn 