This was inspired by an interaction I had. The person has been horrible to me for some time, but because I still struggle with the stuff I mentioned I let him carry on. But recently I decided I’d had enough. I calmly and reasonably told him to leave me alone as he was stressing me out and I was heavily pregnant. He lost his shit and said “I didn’t know you’d get offended I thought I was entitled to my opinion!”.

When he said the word offended I felt ashamed and like I needed to water down my emotions. But I’m not getting offended over everything and anything. I’m offended by nasty comments directed at me. I realised that this is ok. In fact I think it shows I have a healthier level of self esteem now.

I personally feel like it’s the people who accuse others of being offended that make the word lose it’s meaning, rather than people who feel offended. I think this whole “triggered” “snowflake" “offended" stuff is more of a stereotype created by people who regularly offend others.