"That's Just Who I am"- The Ultimate Excuse for Bad Behavior

The Classic Defense: “But That’s Just How I Am!”

Have you ever had a friend or partner throw out the classic line, “...but that’s just how I am”? It’s one of those phrases that can make your blood boil faster than a kettle on the stove. Seriously, how is it reasonable for a grown adult to expect everyone to put up with their bad behavior? If I were to let my bad side out to play, trust me, we’d both be crying by the end of it!

The Tardy Friend Chronicles

Let me tell you about my friend, the Queen of Tardiness. No matter how much time you give her, she’ll always arrive fashionably late—like, "I could give you a whole day and you’d still miss it" late. And when you express your frustration? She just laughs and says, “Manage me like that, na so I be.” Oh, really? Because I’m about to show you exactly how I manage!

One day, I decided to teach her a little lesson. I was her ride to one of her events, and I intentionally showed up late. When she got mad, I hit her with her own line: “Abeg, manage me too, as I dey manage you since!” Guess what? She’s been on time ever since! Now, if she’s running late, she gives me a heads-up. It’s like she discovered the miracle of punctuality!

Are You Aware of Your Habits?

Here’s the truth: we all know what we’re doing. That annoying habit you keep pointing out to your friend, partner or family member? Yeah, they’re aware of it too! The real issue isn’t that people can’t change; it’s that they often can’t be bothered. Why? Well, I’ve boiled it down to two reasons:

1. They Think You’ll Always Put Up with It: Some folks just assume you’ll tolerate their nonsense forever.

2. They Don’t Care Enough: If someone loves you, wouldn’t they want to fix those annoying habits just to make you happy? It’s not rocket science!

Think about it: if someone you love keeps nagging you about not communicating enough, wouldn’t you want to show them you care by making an effort? You might even set an alarm on your phone just to remember to call them. That’s the kind of effort love inspires!

Time to Level Up!

As adults, it’s our responsibility to learn and unlearn. If you’re always late, work on it. If you’re impatient, maybe it’s time to chill out. Don't listen, please work on it! Let’s ditch the whole “that’s just who I am” excuse. Instead, how about we grow up and work on being better people? Not just for our loved ones, but for ourselves too!

Today’s Challenge: Get to Work on You!

So here’s your mission: reflect on yourself. What’s that one habit or attitude that people are always complaining about? Yes, that one! Start today by making a change. Read books, watch inspirational talks, Google tips—whatever it takes. Then, ask your loved ones for feedback and keep improving. Do it, and thank me later!

Now, go on and be the best version of yourself! You’ve got this!