Pretty Ugly

Admiration is basically just jealousy with better manners.

I’ve realized I spend a ridiculous amount of time admiring things other people seem to master so effortlessly — and I absolutely do not.

I admire the folks who can moderate their extracurricular beverages.

You know, the mystical creatures who leave social gatherings coherently, without the need to issue a formal apology to the universe?

People who don’t treat every casual wiener roast like it’s the Olympics of blacking out.

In other words, people who aren’t walking red flags. Truly, good on you.

I admire people with boundaries, real ones. The kind that don’t crumble the moment someone sighs dramatically. The ones who can advocate for themselves without sending the obligatory follow-up novel explaining they’re not mad.

People who send food back at restaurants* and don’t spiral about it for three days. On the same wavelength, the heroes who can sit in discomfort long enough to actually hold someone accountable*.

(*with legitimate reason)

I admire people who keep their house tidy at all times; the ones who wash, dry, and put away their laundry before it’s had the chance to cool down. These are the same folks who go for a run on purpose, which honestly feels like a personal attack. I hate to make it seem like having it that together is a character flaw – it’s not. I’m just… jealous. Envious.

Admiring you from afar.

However, let’s not forget the opposite breed: the people who live comfortably in their homes exactly as they are. Especially the brave souls posting their lived-in spaces on social media so the rest of us can breathe a sigh of relief and maybe feel like we aren’t failing at life.

Perhaps admiration is just recognizing the parts of ourselves we’re still working on – or may never fully master. And that’s okay.

Here’s to the people who inspire us, intentionally or not.