Trying to be humble without sounding fake.
TRYING TO BE HUMBLE WITHOUT SOUNDING FAKE.
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We all carry it, don't we? That quiet, often unspoken, recognition of where we’ve studied. It’s a powerful badge, instantly opening doors and sometimes, just as quickly, closing minds. The "brand" attached to our experience is undeniably heavy. It shapes how others perceive us, often before we've even spoken a word. More profoundly, it subtly influences how we see ourselves – a pressure to constantly exceed, to embody a certain caliber.
But what happens when that external label feels like a straitjacket? How do you acknowledge the incredible privilege and rigorous education without coming across as entitled or arrogant? The dance of humility is a delicate one. You want to be genuine, to connect on a human level, not just as a product of a celebrated system. You find yourself carefully downplaying the affiliation, not because you're ashamed, but because you yearn for authentic connection beyond the perceived pedestal. It's a constant negotiation: how to own your unique journey without letting the institution's shadow define your entire being. This shared experience shapes us, yes, but it doesn't, and shouldn't, limit who we truly are meant to become. Let's talk about it.
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