Things Aren’t Always What They Seem

For years, I thought I had terrible luck with sunglasses. Every pair I owned—no matter the brand or price—sat ever so slightly askew on my face. Unnoticeable to others but I could feel the discomfort. I’d fiddle with the arms, tilt them this way and that, trying to make them sit evenly, but nothing worked. I’d glance at myself in a mirror and think, Why is this so hard?

Eventually, after my umpteenth issue with a pair, it dawned on me: maybe the sunglasses weren’t the problem. Maybe it was my face. Turns out, my face is ever-so-slightly asymmetrical, and it’s just enough to make the sunglasses feel off balance. Suddenly, the mystery was solved—but with it came the realisation that the story I’d been telling myself for years was completely wrong.

This small revelation got me thinking: how often do we misinterpret situations in life? How often do we blame the sunglasses, so to speak, when the answer lies in a perspective we’ve never considered?

We encounter crooked sunglasses moments all the time—moments where things don’t align, and we jump to conclusions about the “problem.” A friend doesn’t text back, and we assume they’re upset with us. A colleague gets short in a meeting, and we decide they’re just rude. The truth is, we’re often seeing just one angle, and it’s usually a reflection of our own assumptions or insecurities.

But the thing is that life is messy and full of grey areas. Rarely are things as straightforward as they appear. That friend who didn’t reply? They might be overwhelmed. That colleague who snapped? They could be dealing with stress you can’t see. My sunglasses? Well, they were doing their best to fit a face that wasn’t quite symmetrical.

The more I think about it, the more I realise how freeing it is to let go of these narrow assumptions. It’s humbling to admit that we don’t always have the full story, and it opens the door for more curiosity, empathy, and patience.

So, the next time something feels “off,” take a moment to step back and question your perspective. You might just find that the answer isn’t what you expected—and it can be freeing to think about the situation differently.

And if you’re wondering, I now fully embrace my slightly crooked face. I won’t take it personally if you stare.