Pretending I understand

I've spent my entire life attempting to justify myself... explain myself... defend myself. It comes along with the desire not to upset people. I'm trying really hard to stop doing it.

I've learned that no matter what you do, there's going to be someone out there who feels hurt by it. Rather than over-explaining though, it makes a lot more sense to me to just wait for the question. If someone really wants to understand what I do or say, they'll ask. Some people really don't care, and so offering up explanations, translations, or justifications only makes me look defensive.

I do what I do. I am who I am. I have my reasons. If I intend to hurt someone (rare, but it's happened), they know it. I'm pretty up front like that.