Let’s be honest for a second—I know I be crossing people’s minds all the time. I can feel it. It’s like a little spiritual notification that pops up in my soul. And honestly? I don’t blame you. That’s just what being real does to the people around you.
I was sitting in my car the other day, just staring at the back of a grocery store receipt (as one does), and it hit me: being memorable is a full-time job I never applied for, yet here I am, Employee of the Month for three years running.
Have you ever just sat there and realized that you are likely the main character in someone else’s “You’ll never believe what she said” story? Or better yet, the person someone thinks about when a specific song comes on? It’s a heavy burden to carry, being this authentic. People aren’t used to it.
In a world full of filters and “hope this email finds you well” (it never does, Karen; the email found me stressed and reconsidering my life choices), being a person who just says what everyone else is thinking is a revolutionary act.
“Authenticity is magnetic. But sometimes, that magnet just picks up a lot of random metal scraps and people who haven’t moved on from 2018.” — Tina (Yes, I’m quoting myself. We’ve established I’m the main character.)
The thing about being “real” is that it leaves a mark. It’s not like those temporary tattoos you got in second grade that peeled off after one shower. It’s more like that one red sock you accidentally threw in with the white laundry—everything else is changed forever.
• The Unfiltered Truth: I don’t have a “polite” setting; I have a “Tina” setting. If your outfit looks like a cry for help, I’m going to ask if you need a hug or a stylist. People remember that.
• The Energy: You can’t fake the kind of energy I bring to a room. It’s a mix of “I’m glad to be here” and “I’m already thinking about what I’m going to eat when I leave.”
• The Relatability: We’ve all been there. We’ve all tripped over air in public and looked around to see if anyone saw us. When I do it, I just bow. That’s the difference.
I’m just gonna say it—and I say it with love, humor, and a little self-awareness: I know I cross people’s minds. Often. Not in a cocky way, but in a “real recognize real” kind of way.
Real people don’t have to announce themselves. They don’t need constant attention or validation. They don’t chase relevance. They just show up as themselves—and somehow that sticks. You ever meet someone who doesn’t try too hard, but still ends up unforgettable? Yeah. That. I’m not loud, I’m not flashy, and I’m not begging to be remembered. I’m just… me. And apparently, that’s enough.
I know there are people out there right now, scrolling through their phones, seeing something mildly chaotic, and thinking, “That is so Tina.” Good. Stay there. Enjoy the view. I should start charging rent for the space I occupy in people’s thoughts, but I’m generous, so I’ll let it slide for now. There’s something deeply satisfying about knowing that even when I’m at home in my pajamas, eating cereal out of a Tupperware container because all my bowls are dirty, I am still a topic of conversation.
I don’t do fake. I don’t do surface-level. When I’m in your life, I’m present. I listen. I care. And even when I leave, I don’t leave chaos—I leave memories, conversations, and growth. Sometimes people realize your value only after you’re no longer as accessible—after you’ve chosen peace over proximity. That’s usually when you start crossing their mind the most.
Silence doesn’t erase impact. Distance doesn’t cancel connection. If anything, it amplifies it. So if I pop into your head randomly while you’re driving, folding laundry, or scrolling your phone—just know it’s not magic. It’s not coincidence. It’s just the effect of someone who was real with you.
To anyone currently thinking about me: I hope I’m making you smile, or at least making you wonder how I’m still functioning. It’s a wild ride over here, and you’re welcome to watch.
That’s just what being genuine does.
— Tina 💫