My sister has accused me of always correcting people and being a know at all, and I have listened and corrected my behaviors, because yeah, that can be annoying. I have worked really hard on never correcting anyone or giving “advice“ unless asked, and even then, rarely.
But I went to a bridal shower a week ago, it was a family affair so my sister was also in attendance because it’s her soon to be daughter in law. The bride was super busy with all of her friends, so I happily hung out in the background like the introvert I am. There was a game, however. One of them was a multiple choice questionnaire called “how well do you know the bride?” I won, and the bride to be said it figured because I was easily the person who actually takes the time to listen and see how people are feeling. I was shocked that I knew enough about this lovely young woman to actually win this type of game.
And my sister was like “NU UH! There’s no way.” And then I looked at the whole situation from a new perspective. My sister has been competing with me all this time, although I have never competed with her. I have been watching my words and tiptoeing around her when all along it has been HER and not me who is the correcter and the know it all.
Relief! Now I know all I need to do is employ the grey rock method when talking with my sister, and I am free to be me around the rest of the family, of course, without correcting anyone or offering any unsolicited advice.
That’s all. It’s a first world problem but it makes me happy.