Would you rather be called boring or annoying?

Neither is an appealing option, but that's what makes it kind of beautiful.

Happy Tuesday, readers.

This morning, I was listening to a new episode of Amy Poehler’s podcast, Good Hang (a great podcast, by the way; you can watch it here), and Amy made an offhand comment that has stuck with me all day. She said

“A friend of mine plays a game where she says ‘boring, or annoying?’. You categorize people into boring or annoying. No one wants to be either, but give me annoying any day.”

And reader, I felt that.

When people see a version of me on the internet, they often tell me I come across as cool or confident. Which is very nice, don’t get me wrong. But I often find myself warning them in a way with, “Oh, but I’m actually kind of annoying,” so they don’t think too highly of me as they get to know me.

I talk too much, I have a shrill voice, and sometimes I can feel myself high-frequency yapping about something I’m currently fixated on, while people’s eyes glaze over. It’s part of my personality that has made me feel largely unlovable in some of my darkest moments.

I’ve wanted to shed this part of me many times throughout my life. Wanting to instead be mysterious, or subtle, or calming. But I can’t bring myself to do it (for an extended period of time).

So this has always been my way of setting expectations with people. Annoying.

So Amy’s game had me thinking: Would I rather be the opposite? Boring? Mmmmm, no. Let’s weigh both options.

Here’s the breakdown of both teams, as I see it

Team Boring

• Resting HR of 35

• Interior decor is mad beige

• Laugher at jokes

• Probably a water sign

• White wine only

• Excited about buying new appliances

• Only child, I reckon

• Loves Taylor Swift

• “Travel” is their main hobby

• Splits the dinner bill down to the penny (grow up)

Team Annoying

• No concept of inside voice

• Will either be a clingy friend or one who roasts too much

• Maker of jokes

• 17 hobbies

• Spontaneous FaceTimes

• Sends 4 texts with one sentence each instead of 1 small paragraph

• Will embarrass you in social situations

• Main character syndrome

• Holds service workers hostage with excessive friendliness

• Lowkey complainer

They’re both unappealing, but both kind of endearing. They go together like a little yin and yang. Like french fries and ice cream. Like Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. I am proudly on Team Annoying.

We need both to have balance in life, reader. And my obnoxiousness, which usually makes me cringe, makes me feel like I’m doing my part today. I’m contributing to a balanced society. I’m also mentally slotting my friends into these categories. I gotta say, Team Boring makes a great audience.

So what say you, reader? Which team are you on?

Don’t say both. That automatically places you in Boring, FYI. Enjoy the beautiful suck of being on one of these teams. It brings us together.