Hello, World.

Here Are Some of the Best Compliments I’ve Ever Been Hit With (Whether They Knew It or Not)

Not all of us can sit with the homeless in the morning, volunteer by lunch, all while enjoying a Jet2 holiday to York.

Some of us are just out here accidentally triggering spiritual crises by existing.

So here’s a list of compliments,

real things said to me or others, (to the best of my memory)

that are less “aww thanks” and more “did you just… insult yourself at me?”

Let’s begin.

“You make me feel bad about myself... but not like you’re mean. You’re just... a really good person.”

Translation:

“I was fine living in denial until you walked in with your stable eye contact and functioning moral compass.”

Sorry. Didn’t realize breathing near you would activate your conscience. I take full responsibility for that.

“Being around you makes me feel like I’m not doing enough.”

You’re not.

Next.

“You make it look easy.”

That’s because you only show up when it’s done.

You didn’t see the 3-day spiral,

7 drafts,

and spiritual breakdown behind the scenes.

But sure, let’s call it “natural.”

“You probably think you’re better than everyone.”

No, I just think I’m not fake.

Which, I get it, in a world built on performance, authenticity does look arrogant.

“You’re acting cocky.”

It’s called confidence.

Sorry if it doesn’t come prepackaged with self-loathing and a humble-brag disclaimer.

“You’re acting arrogant.”

And you’re allergic to boundaries.

Just because I’m not begging for your approval doesn’t mean I’m building a statue of myself.

“You make me want to be better… but I kind of hate that.”

Thank you...I think?

Would you like to schedule your identity crisis, or shall we keep winging it?

“I feel like I can’t lie around you.”

That’s because I can smell the BS before you finish your sentence.

But go ahead, keep trying.

I love, love, love live theatre.

But be careful, I like to play along.

“I don’t know why, but you kind of intimidate me.”

Ah, the nervous giggle or sometimes "eeeeek"

The confession disguised as flirtation.

The awkward compliment that says more than it means to.

The Reality?

Most “compliments” like this are projections in drag.

People see you holding a standard they’ve abandoned,

and instead of rising to meet it,

they label it “too much" to justify staying stuck.

Too honest.

Too calm.

Too grounded.

Too clear.

Too alive.

When someone says, “You make me uncomfortable,” what they often mean is:

“I’m not ready to meet the version of me your presence demands.”

And that’s fine.

Not everyone has to like you.

Not everyone will.

Some will even hate you.

Good.

But when your light makes someone squint,

it means it’s working.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go emotionally destabilize someone by recycling and making eye contact with a stranger.

God forbid I smile at a baby next.

P.S.

All these wonderful compliments got me thinking about a certain facial expression that often tags along like the unwanted plus-one at the party:

Contempt.

That delicious cocktail of disrespect, superiority, and outright dismissal.

You know, the vibe you get when someone’s basically saying, “I’m better than you — and you’re not even worth my full attention.”

Emotionally, contempt sounds like this:

“You’re beneath me.”

“I know better than you.”

“You’re not even worth the time it takes to fake interest.”

Which Reminded Me of a TikTok I Saw Once

(Keep in mind, I've never met any person in the video)

A girl who works on her van, posting a casual collab video of her friends.

In one clip, there was a boy, sitting next to her friend, outside, chill as a cucumber.

Then, she came over and touched his shoulder.

Playful? Innocent? Sure, let’s say that.

But here’s the thing: his face shifted.

Just for a fraction of a second.

A half-smile — one side sharp and up, the other flat and dead.

Contempt.

His neck did this move:

(Understandable, but the meme makes me laugh)

Maybe he didn’t like the touch.

Maybe he was caught off guard.

Maybe he just remembered he left the stove on.

But here’s the rule:

the body never lies about contempt.

Lips might try to hide it,

but that half-smile?

It screams:

“Look at you… thinking you’re somebody.”

Not spoken to her.

Not spoken to the friend.

Spoken to himself.

To the moment.

To anyone daring to enjoy life a little too loud for his comfort.

Contempt: The Broadcast You Didn’t Ask For

Contempt rarely aims at just one person.

It’s a broadcast.

A defense mechanism that stands up straight and wears a tailored suit.

Did The Girl Notice?

Maybe.

Even if she didn’t get the half-smile’s full thesis, she felt the freeze in the air.

She might be wondering now:

• “What’s their history?”
• “Why did his body betray him like that?”
• “Is he still tangled up in some invisible drama?”

Sometimes contempt doesn’t slam doors.

It cracks windows.

It invites questions.

Is it Nothing?

Just a touch.

Just a smirk.

Just a stiff bench and a distracted mind.

We spin stories from fleeting seconds.

But sometimes,

it is just static noise,

a nervous tic,

a habit,

a non-translucent cup.

Still, even in the “nothing,”

something watches.

Wondering if that flicker was smoke…

Or the first hint of fire.

Because the body might fib now and then.

But contempt?

It rarely lies.

*Sighs....* 😔

If only Adam were here to see it, he'd be so proud.

Proverbs 18:3 (ESV)

“When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,

and with dishonor comes disgrace.”