I recently met with one of my friends and we were talking about this exact topic because there are times in every stage of life when somebody is questioning what we do. Whether it’s how we wear our hair to how we raise our children and even how we express our creativity.
Effective communication whether it’s with loved ones or complete strangers should be out of respect. Respect for why they do the things they do and don’t do and respect for privacy. Some questions should never even be asked like “When are you going to start a family?” This is not only a personal question it strikes a chord with some so deep because maybe they tried to have a baby and it’s not happening yet or maybe they are in the middle of a fertility treatment they don’t want to reveal and shouldn’t have to.
Relationships are another hot topic people like to dive into with a list of questions at their fingertips. “Have you started dating” or “When are you going to get engaged?” Perhaps that person isn’t ready to date yet because of a previous fall out in their life or for someone else getting engaged is not that simple due to family issues. But people pursue and keep asking more.
Raising children is probably the biggest one of all because since there are so many stages they go through, it’s difficult not to compare with other families. But here’s the thing. Books are a great guide they are not the Bible. Every child develops differently at different rates and as long as the Dr is happy with their progress and the family home is a happy one, that’s all that matters. Some children develop slower than others because of a health issue and when someone questions their progress by comparing it to a child without health issues, is that even fair?
When faced with these types of situations in our life we need to ask ourselves some questions first. Is this person genuinely interested in my life or are they just curious, or plain old nosy? What is the motivation behind their questioning? Are they trying to make small talk? Will I ever see this person again even though I’m sitting beside them on a plane for the next 5 hours? You do not need to divulge your personal life to anyone unless you feel comfortable doing so. There’s no need to answer that question if you feel they are just being curious. People who are genuinely interested in what you have to say are the ones who won’t judge you. They’re with you and in it for the long haul. Sure advice might be given but you can take it or leave it, in the end, it’s your decision anyway so don’t let it bother you.
As far as being creative, we all have it, we’re all artists in some way shape or form. Some of us just use it more than others and nobody’s perfect. There’s no need to start a rally to get people on your side. Enjoy what you do and love every minute of it.
If you feel like shaving your head or chopping your hair short then by all means go right ahead. It’s time for people to put the judgmental magnifying lens down and start trusting people that they have the ability to make good decisions on their own. Just because they aren’t doing things the way you are doesn’t mean it’s wrong.
And if you don’t believe me, are you genuinely interested or just curious?
Much Love ❤
Jen
I love this Jen!! I heard this the other day and thought I would share …” Your life is not a democracy.” Are you able to share some answers to how one can handle these questions from people? What is your experience in how to tactfully not answer with an answer 😘
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Hi yvrgirl, I like that saying very much it’s so true! I think as far as answering these types of questions lies in your level of comfort. If you can say “I’d rather not discuss this now” or “that’s a very personal question that I’m not prepared to answer.” If you don’t want to answer with an answer, answer with a question like the same one they are asking you 🙂
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This is spot- some questions should never even be asked. I really like this post.
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Hi Shea, thank you so much for liking this post and being able to connect with it. I completely agree with you, some questions should never even be asked.
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Jen! !! This is a lovely article. You have nailed the essence of the topic. Some people get really nosy with their interfering questions. They are not genuinely concerned but just wish to be nosy. There is also another kind of questions which get poked at us, “Why don’t you do something about your looks or face?”. It’s extremely annoying. I love the way you write Jen! !! It’s always a pleasure to come down here and read your work. Love you babe’s. XOXO I ❤
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Thanks a lot for liking my post Pratyusha!! 😀 Yes you’re right that question you gave is not a very nice one for people to say. It’s always a pleasure to read your comments my little soul sister ❤ Love you lots too XOXO ❤
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I guess people who have a genuine interest in you listen.They will be empathic listeners instead of listening just for the sake of listening and thinking of their replies instead of actually focusing on what you are saying or how you are feeling.They will just be there for you when you want to just bounce ideas off them,or guide you into something better when asked for.
Curiosity can complement genuine interest.But it won’t work when it is the sole purpose of your conversation.
It’s like adding tomato ketchup to vegetables or noodles,whichever way your palate leans toward 😛
But just eating it,or drinking it straight from the bottle,is bad,and sometimes toxic 😀
As for creative people who wanna shave their head,I’d like to suggest this haircut:

In this case,I’m “just curious”…Also,Batman rocks 😀
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Hahaha. Raja : Loved your comment.
I liked the new hair cut 😛 😀
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Hahahaha…me too 😉
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I just want the haircut on others’ heads Jen,and for me to just look at it 😛
I don’t think I can sport that look and pull it off 😄
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Ha ha ha you sure can pull it off 😀
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Someday in the future maybe!I can try,but I’m pretty sure people would throw stones at me and dogs would start chasing me off the road with uncontrollable rage when they see that haircut.Not much of a bargain,I think😂
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That would never happen in the place where you are headed soon 😉 😀 It could be a future possibility 🙂
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Maybe! A definite maybe😂😛
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Maybe is good!! There’s some progress 😉 😛
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And now we’ve turned the comments section of a “Health and Wellness Coaching” post into a discussion about a weird Batman haircut😂
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Hahaha..well it’s just another example of how life can take many twists and turns when you least expect it 😛 🙂
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Hehe. Infact you will be the centre of attraction 😀 New fish in the market, a trend setter :D. Be a sport Raja 😉
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By your enthusiasm,I can only think that you’l be the first one to throw the stone from within the crowd after seeing it😆
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Haha. Awww why will I throw stones at my brother 😀 I won’t be throwing stones but throw laughters 😛 Imagining that look on you itself is making me laugh 😉 😛 Macho look with guitar in hand !!! How cool is that 😉
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That’s true! This look with your guitar will be very cool 😀
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Yeah.The way you are describing it is making it sound coller than it already is😒
In case it isn’t clear from the written word,it’s sarcasm😆
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Hahaha that’s ok too 😁 but you never know maybe you could pull it off and sport that look 😀
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😁
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Hey Raja 🙂 Yes you’re right people who are empathetic listeners are engaging, not just in it for themselves. Good point, curiosity can compliment genuine interest when done right, especially without the ketchup part! 😛 😉 And straight from the bottle….Yikes! 😀
That is quite the Batman haircut you are curious about Raja, but if you really want it, then go out there and get it 😀 For the record, I agree, Batman rocks 😉 Always a pleasure to read your comments Raja 🙂
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Some people are just curious to know Jenny:)
I loved your post as usual😃😃😃😃
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Thanks so much Sumit 🙂 Curious to know and curious to judge are two different things. People need to know how to differentiate between the two 😉
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I love your intelligence Jenny😃😃😃
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Aaww thank you so much Sumit 😀😀
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Awesome post, i think we can make out ppl who are genuinely interested and who are just curious, just as your headline 😉
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Thanks so much for reading Atharva I’m glad you liked it 😀😀
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This is a very interesting write up, Jenny. I never understood why many people were interested in finding out what’s happening in other people’s lives! I guess it’s plain old curiosity to find out if they are doing better than the others. For some people it gives a kind of sick pleasure to find out and poke around the “problems” others are facing!
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Yes exactly Rashmi some people are genuinely curious and others just plain old curious. Being genuinely interested is the best! 😊😊
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