How Do I Deal with Being Misunderstood?

Being misunderstood might be the most painful part of medicine that no one warns you about. People think the hardest moments are the exams, the sleep deprivation, the pressure. Those matter, but what caught me off guard was the times when I knew who I was on the inside, yet someone else saw me differently.

Being labeled “quiet” when I was actually anxious. Being called “overly ambitious” when I was just prepared. Being told I was “reserved” when I was trying not to get in the way. It’s strange how easily one moment or one impression gets turned into a story about you.

For a long time, I exhausted myself trying to correct every misunderstanding. I wanted everyone to see my intentions, my heart, my work ethic. Until one day I realized that trying to control how people perceive you is a game you can’t win. Even if you do everything perfectly, someone will still create their own version of you.

So here’s what I learned: it’s not your job to convince people who you are. It’s your job to be who you are.

The people who matter will notice over time. They’ll see your consistency. They’ll see your kindness. They’ll see how hard you work. And if someone doesn’t want to see you for who you are, no amount of explaining will change their mind.

Being misunderstood is frustrating, but it is also clarifying. It shows you who you are when external validation is missing. It forces you to define yourself, not by how people describe you, but by how you show up.

Now, when someone misreads me, I don’t spiral. I just ask myself one thing: did I stay true to my character? If the answer is yes, then I let the rest fall away.

I will always choose to be genuine over being impressive. I will always choose staying kind over being perceived as perfect. I will always choose my values over my image.

The world won’t always understand you immediately. But the right people will. And when they do, you’ll realize their recognition means more than universal approval ever could.

‍