Be Interesting
You know, I rarely shared what I was doing when someone asked, “What’s new?” I’d often say, “Nothing much. How about you?” I just didn’t think it was smart to talk about my life.
It most likely stems from being picked on as a kid. Maybe it was my name. Maybe it was how I sang. I don’t know for certain what it was, but I got bullied and picked on a lot.
So, it made sense to shut my mouth and keep things to myself to protect my peace. I think most of us do it. There are exceptions, of course, with those who overshare… “I did this. And I do that. And blah blah blah.”
It’s worth noting that what we say about ourselves shapes how others perceive us, so why aren’t we expressing ourselves more?
Each one of us is interesting. It doesn’t matter what you do or whether you think your life is boring; someone else will find something interesting about you.
My spiel this week is:
✥✥✥ Be Interesting! ✥✥✥
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Your Challenge
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This week, I challenge you to share one amazing thing in your life that you find unremarkable with others you meet, work with, or run into. So, instead of replying, “Nothing much. How ’bout you?” Try something a little more special. Put some thought into this. You’d be amazed at how many interesting things there are about you if you just pay more attention.
For example, people with grandkids live interesting lives every day. You played a kid’s game and let your grandson win. (Sharing that might put a smile on someone’s face. It’s short and cute.) Or, you’re teaching your granddaughter how to write in cursive. (Shows how you care about upholding tradition.)
Let’s be more creative. We all have it in us. We just need to tap into it more.
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How Do You Source the Interesting Stuff?
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Think about your life. What do you do every day? Do you look out the window and watch the birds while you’re drinking your coffee? Or do you notice them while driving to work? If not, why? They are cute creatures that can uplift even the grumpiest folks. They can shift your focus from the doldrums to the incredible fact that birds can actually fly. I know I find them incredible.
Put down the phone and look around your environment. Is it where you want to be? Reflect on what you like to do. What do you do for fun? What kinds of things light you up? That is what makes you interesting.
So, the next time you see your neighbor outside and they ask you how you’re doing? Even if you don’t have much time and don’t want to engage in a conversation, you can still answer with something more interesting than, “I’m good. How are you?”
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Why Do We Dim Our Light?
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When we’re with people we don’t feel good around, we clam up, and our wonderful, funny personalities dim. I don’t know if this is on us, or if it’s simply chemistry or our intuition giving us warnings. I think we can tell who’s receptive to our warm, enchanting selves and who may feel intimidated by us. My issue has been worrying too much about what others think of me, so I’ve kept myself hidden to avoid judgment. I’ve been working on changing that and getting better at not caring what others think.
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Examples of Fun Things to Say
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I’m giving my husband credit for this. He is the master of replying with interesting things. He can’t stand talking about the weather and the same ‘ol same ‘ol stock answers. He comes up with great one-liners as replies when someone asks him, “How ya doin’, buddy?” And it’s usually never the same.
The biggest takeaway is that he was raised in business and has little anxiety or fear about being himself around strangers. If he doesn’t know you, you are in for a treat.
I’ve heard him reply to people who ask him, “What’s up, buddy?” Something along the lines of, “Well, the sky, for one thing. But me? I’m doing pretty fantastic. I get to be here.”
He changes it up all the time. He keeps it light. But there’s a message in what he says, too.
Some examples:
Instead of replying with the tried-and-true, “I’m doing okay.” How about we change it up and reply, “Pretty blessed.” Because we are. If we’re breathing and standing upright, we are blessed. I don’t think enough of us realize that.
Instead of responding to negativity with negativity, try this. “How about this rotten weather?” “We can’t control it, so I don’t overthink it.” You might piss someone off, but if that’s who you are inside, then what does it matter?
And finally, for the love of all things good, please don’t respond with the boring and trite, “Have a good one.” I don’t know why this has taken over so many of us, but it has, and it’s zombie talk. Be more original. Be interesting.
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To Sum Up
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We’re all interesting in different ways. We just need to put in more effort to show who we are. We’ve gotten comfortable with being comfortable. But how can we build a great life if we don’t grow? Sometimes we have to be uncomfortable a little bit to change and live a better life. At least I think that’s what most of us want.
Thanks for reading, and again, I hope you found something interesting. Please comment if you liked it. I’d love to read your thoughts.
To being interesting,
Francesca
Written by a human for humans.
© 2026 FrancescaME | All rights reserved.
Unless noted otherwise, Francesca M.E. took the photos.
NO AI TRAINING: Any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
*DISCLAIMER: FrancescaME is not a therapist or doctor, and any information shared is from personal experience, learning, and research.
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