> (As an aside, I've been really trying to stop using the word "just" lately as I've learned that things are rarely so simple to justify the word.)
Me too! I realized how it immediately frustrated me to hear it used about my domains. I’m constantly having to work to not seem as short/blunt/know-it-all as I feel. I think this word is a connotation trap, because when I use it feels inoffensive, but when I hear it seems blunt and dismissive and I’m quick to assume the person doesn’t understand or empathize with the complexities of the situation. That’s a long way of saying I really enjoyed your aside.
I noticed recently that I often preface statements with "just wanted to say" or "just chiming in here" and similar. I cringed hard when I realized and am working on eliminating that use of "just". Seems like the same general thing: it's never "just" X.
> (As an aside, I've been really trying to stop using the word "just" lately as I've learned that things are rarely so simple to justify the word.)
Me too! I realized how it immediately frustrated me to hear it used about my domains. I’m constantly having to work to not seem as short/blunt/know-it-all as I feel. I think this word is a connotation trap, because when I use it feels inoffensive, but when I hear it seems blunt and dismissive and I’m quick to assume the person doesn’t understand or empathize with the complexities of the situation. That’s a long way of saying I really enjoyed your aside.