The Many Faces We Wear

There’s an image I came across recently — a person staring straight ahead, arms outstretched, eyes intense — and it struck a chord. Paired with it was a quote that stopped me in my tracks:

“Not everyone gets the same version of me. One person might tell you I have an amazing, beautiful soul… Another might say I’m a cold-hearted asshole. Believe them both. I don’t treat people badly. I treat them accordingly.”

It’s bold. It’s raw. And it’s real.

We like to believe we’re consistent — that we move through life as one cohesive version of ourselves. But the truth? Human interaction is far more layered. We shift. We adapt. We respond. And that’s not a flaw — it might just be wisdom.

The “You” Other People See

Let’s be honest: do you behave the same way with your parents as you do with your coworkers? Do you share the same side of yourself with a stranger at a party as you do with your partner or best friend?

Probably not.

That doesn’t mean you’re being fake. It means you’re human.

We adjust our tone, our vulnerability, our energy — depending on the situation, the person, and the history we share with them. It’s not about manipulation; it’s about emotional intelligence and self-preservation.

“I Don’t Treat People Badly. I Treat Them Accordingly.”

That line hits hard for a reason — it reframes the whole “just be nice” mantra.

It doesn’t mean walking through life with a chip on your shoulder or retaliating at every slight. But it does mean recognizing that respect is a two-way street.

If someone meets you with empathy, kindness, and curiosity — of course they’ll see the best version of you.

But if someone is consistently dismissive, manipulative, or hurtful? Then yes, they may meet a colder, sharper edge.

And that’s not cruelty. That’s boundaries. That’s accountability. That’s energy management.

You’re Not One-Dimensional — So Stop Pretending to Be

One of the most freeing realizations is that we’re not meant to be the same person to everyone, everywhere.

We contain multitudes.

Stepping into those different layers of self isn’t about being inconsistent — it’s about being in tune.

Here’s how we start owning that:

Know your boundaries: You don’t owe kindness to people who continuously cross the line.

Practice discernment: Read the room. Read the relationship. Not everyone deserves the deepest parts of you.

Stay self-aware: While you’re reacting to others, remember — they’re reacting to you, too. What version of yourself are you offering?

Let Them Say What They Will

So, when someone says, “You’re the kindest person I know,” and another says, “You’re cold and distant,” maybe neither of them is wrong.

They just experienced different sides of the same person — sides that responded, adapted, and showed up based on how they were treated.

And honestly? That’s exactly how it should be.

What about you? Have you ever been surprised by how someone perceives you? Do you notice how you shift around different people?

Drop your thoughts in the comments — I’d love to hear your take.