I grew up in the Hundred Acre Woods. Winnie the Pooh was my nursery theme. I have always loved the animals in this beloved animated series, so the first time someone called me “Eeyore” as a insult really bothered me.
First of all, even though I did not dislike Eeyore in the show, I was offended because it was very obvious this person was trying to make fun of me. I always liked Eeyore. I have always felt he was misunderstood. I mean, if he was a person instead of a donkey, people would immediately classify him as depressed. And who would have the audacity to make fun of a depressed person? That’s why I have never understood people who say mean things about the character. It’s not his fault. He doesn’t choose to be sad. Yet adults refuse to view him with compassion – they treat him like a bother (the pun is just a little bit intended haha). He’s very sweet, and just because he doesn’t bounce off the walls like Tigger or was happy 24/7 like Pooh doesn’t mean he’s a bad character. His character is very shows a very real side of human nature in my opinion. Many people struggle with getting happy and wish they could always see the bright side, but as a previous post of mine has discussed, not everyone can just simply “be” in an optimistic mindset all the time. Many people have brains who naturally default to a negative, defensive, expect-the-worst mindset.
What I really didn’t understand was why someone would feel the need to tell me I remind them of a depressed donkey. I knew they were saying that because I have always naturally viewed things very realistically, not wanting to get my hopes up, and fearing the worst would happen. I am a pessimist, but that doesn’t mean I’m worth less than the optimist. The world needs both for there to be balance. Maybe I do look at things negatively and maybe I do struggle to see the bright side all the time and maybe I don’t smile as much as other people, but 1. I literally can’t help it (it’s my brain’s default) and 2. It’s no one’s right to insult me for it.
If I’m being honest, that insult really hurt me. It didn’t hurt me in the way they probably intended it. I’m sure they view Eeyore as a stupid, sad character who just needs to “cheer up already.” Maybe they thought I viewed Eeyore that way too and I would realize how terrible I must be for behaving in a way that makes that specific person want to compare me to him? But the thing is I don’t view Eeyore that way. I really like him and I think he’s a great character. I was hurt because I knew what they were trying to say when they made that comparison, and it hurt me that they wanted to hurt me and that the viewed Eeyore so poorly.
If you are a decent human being, you should always refrain from insulting people (and yes, that includes insults disguised poorly as “just a joke, you need to stop taking everything so seriously”). I genuinely don’t understand how some people are so comfortable walking around like they have been summoned by God Himself to tell others why they are inferior to them. And the people who do this are not just bratty teenagers who feel they have something to prove – it’s full grown adults too, who should know better. It’s honestly sad when an adult has to make a stab at someone younger than them to feel better about themselves. It is never okay to point out these kinds of things about a person. You NEVER know what they might be dealing with. The “joke” you said to them could be the one that pushes them over the edge. Think about that the next time you wanna call someone a name.
I say all of this to remind us that words do hurt. We need to be mindful of what we say and how we say it. Just because someone doesn’t look, act, or react in the ways you think they should absolutely does NOT give you the right to “call them out” or insult them. EVER.
I’m sure everyone has an Eeyore story – an insult they will never forget. I wish we didn’t.
Let’s remember to be kind to everyone. It’s not like it costs anything. But insulting people? That could end up costing you more than you bargained for.
With love,
Maddie
Trust Difficult Roads 