Have you noticed how, on social media
and in office life, there seems to be a surge of overly confident people? Loud, dominant, always ready to take charge. Meanwhile, the shy, reserved, and quietly complicated types often feel pushed aside, as though their way of being doesn’t fit the modern mould of “success.”
But why is that?
It feels like, in certain circles—especially the ones chasing status and money—the people who rise to the top are often the outspoken, the ones willing to push others around to get their own way. And because wealth and visibility are made to look like the ultimate prize, that behaviour gets labelled as “good,” as though money is the only thing worth striving for.
Yet to become that person, something gets lost. The deeper, thoughtful side of yourself—the one that’s shy, creative, and reflective—gets pushed down and hidden. You start to feel like there’s no room for the parts of you that question things, take their time, or see the world differently.
But is that pushy, dominant personality really good for us? Probably not. It can be draining. It pushes long hours, glorifies constant hustle, and rarely leaves room for kindness or rest. It’s a mindset that can wear you down as much as it pushes you forward.
On the other hand, the quieter side of life—the walks in nature, the small things that bring joy, the slower pace—feels gentler. It costs less. It demands less from the planet. It’s closer to what many of us crave deep down, even if the world keeps telling us otherwise.
And maybe that’s the bigger point: as humans, we already know overconsumption is destroying the earth. The loud, hyper-confident persona might just be another layer of performance—pretend confidence in a world where, deep down, insecurity is simply part of being human.
It’s not always comfortable to admit, but maybe we should stop hiding it. Maybe the world needs fewer masks and more acceptance of the complicated, imperfect, quietly real parts of ourselves.
