Mini Exploration 006. Behaviour Before Labels

Can you describe a person’s behaviour today without turning it into their identity?

Instead of “They are selfish,” you might notice, “They made the decision without considering how it affected me.”

Instead of “They are unreliable,” you might notice, “They agreed to arrive at ten and came at eleven without letting me know.”

A label compresses a person into a conclusion. A description identifies the behaviour more precisely. It leaves room to recognise patterns, make decisions, and set boundaries without claiming to know the entirety of who someone is.

You do not have to excuse the behaviour. Simply describe what occurred before deciding what the person is.

Reflection: Did describing the behaviour change how clearly you understood the situation?