Judgment, Braces, and the Power of Empathy: A Personal Reflection

We’ve all experienced it—that moment when someone says something that catches us off guard, cuts deep, or triggers a wave of emotions we didn’t see coming.

For me, that moment came recently after someone left a comment on one of my social media posts: “Elderly people look ridiculous in braces.”

I’m 59. And while I personally don’t identify as “elderly,” the real sting wasn’t in the label—it was the judgment. The harshness. The unsolicited opinion from someone who didn’t know my story.

The Truth Behind the Braces

If you’re watching my videos or following me online, you’ve probably noticed the braces on my teeth. What you might not know is why I got them in the first place.

Spoiler alert: It wasn’t about vanity.

Over time, my molars stopped lining up correctly. Every bite, every chew, was causing stress on those back teeth—until one finally cracked. The pain was intense. The fix? Long, expensive, and not something I wanted to repeat.

Braces were a solution to prevent more damage, pain, and dental bills. Invisalign wasn’t an option for me, even after seeking multiple professional opinions. So I went with traditional braces, even though I knew they’d be uncomfortable. Even though I knew there’d be judgment.

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The Sting of Judgment—and the Lesson It Brought

When I read that comment about how “ridiculous” I looked, my first reaction was defense. Anger. Embarrassment. I wanted to fire back, explain myself, justify my decision.

But then I paused.

Instead of reacting, I asked myself: How many times have I done the same thing to someone else? How many times have I judged without knowing their story?

And the answer was clear: more times than I’d like to admit.

We all have biases. Many of them were handed to us by the people who raised us. We pick them up from family, friends, teachers, and the media. We absorb ideas—about what’s normal, acceptable, or “right”—and then turn them into silent (or not-so-silent) judgments.

Whether it’s about age, appearance, career choices, or something as small as braces… we all do it.

Choosing Empathy Over Judgment

Here’s what I’ve learned: being judgmental is easy. But empathy? That takes work. It takes intentionality.

The next time you feel a judgmental thought rising up, I challenge you to pause and ask:

Where is this thought coming from?
What bias might be underneath it?
Is it triggering something in me?
How can I shift from judgment to understanding?

And above all—remember that every person you encounter has a story. One you probably know nothing about.

We don’t have to agree with everyone. But we can respect them. We can choose empathy. And when we do, we create space for deeper connection, better communication, and greater confidence—not just in others, but in ourselves.

Let’s stop spreading judgment and start spreading love. Let’s step off the high horse and start walking alongside one another with curiosity and compassion.

It starts with you. And it starts with me.

Let’s build a better world—one kind thought at a time.

Want more support stepping into your most confident, authentic self?
Download my FREE guide: Step Into Your Big Life — a simple, empowering resource to help you quiet the judgment, grow in self-awareness, and live boldly.

You’ve got this. And I’m cheering for you every step of the way.

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