Whether dealing with drama at school, a breakup, or simply trying to seem “cool” to those around you, social media and society have promoted and even glorified going about life with a “nonchalant” attitude…why?
Acting like you don’t care about an event, person, or relationship may give you a temporary sense of ‘winning.’ Still, it can also lead to a lack of genuine connection and understanding.
This societal norm, while it may make individuals feel they have the upper hand, comes at a significant cost-the erosion of genuine connections and understanding.
When did society start to reject healthy relationship standards, communication, and coping mechanisms, and why was it replaced with the opposite?
It’s a question we all must ponder, especially when emotional expression is often seen as a sign of weakness.
Caring, investing in people, and making an effort are not signs of weakness but a display of strength and courage. They are far more powerful than pretending not to. If you care about someone, don’t hide that. Show it, express it, and let it guide your actions. This is the true power of genuine care and effort in relationships.
Social media often pushes the idea that the ‘coolest’ individuals are the ones who don’t care. Phrases like being “unbothered” and “nonchalant” are everywhere.
While prioritizing taking healthy steps away from drama or things that tend to upset you is a good thing, it often leads to individuals putting on a performance of indifference—pretending as if nothing affects them, even when it really does.
Much of Gen Z humor revolves around being ‘over it,’ making detachment feel like a personality trait. But is this really the kind of personality trait we want to promote? Is detachment truly desirable? It’s time to rethink our values.
Even playing “hard to get” romantically promotes this idea of hiding your true feelings. Texting back too fast is ‘cringe,’ and showing interest is ‘desperate.’
When asking people for advice, individuals are often given the advice to “just let it go” or “forget about it” because caring is seen as embarrassing.
Relationships cannot grow or benefit individuals based on the “nonchalant” culture, which rejects communication and replaces it with internal suppression.
Genuine, healthy relationships thrive on effort. Showing someone you care, telling them how you feel, and letting them know that you are grateful for them. Apathy and relationships do not go hand in hand, so why do we think that to succeed relationally, we must be apathetic?
Vulnerability builds more profound connections with others and self-growth in the process. Internally, it creates an environment that fosters emotional resilience and authenticity and allows you to face things that can be scary or uncomfortable.
Deeper connections are also made through authenticity and trust. Being open with your true thoughts encourages others to be the same, leading to genuine understanding. It also reinforces relationships by demonstrating trust, enhancing emotional bonds, and bridging gaps.
Honesty and effort set you apart, and people appreciate that – whether they show it or not.
You will never regret caring “too” much. Caring is a beautiful thing, and it is a gift to feel so deeply about others. Do not let anyone or anything convince you differently. What regret does come from, though, is the words you left unspoken.
Caring is a strength, not a weakness. Challenge the set “norm” that having big feelings is terrible because it’s not.
If you care, show it.
