How to Get Things Done Without Being a Karen

Lessons in confidence from the people everyone loves to hate.

Well, boo! I know you’ve seen these rude women in the queue, stepping over dead bodies and not leaving until they get what they wanted, regardless of whether they have to speak to the manager or just a colleague of the poor soul she first met at the service desk.

Admit it! You hate them. Lol. It’s okay, that doesn’t make you a bad person.

I hate them too.

The audacity, the rudeness, it’s like they think they are better than anyone else. And you, the most humble one in the queue, go to the same person working at the desk and are so shy you can barely hand over a couple of documents, until you even look suspicious.

Sometimes you may even notice that the sweet lamb at the counter becomes a Karen for you only, rushing you, rolling her eyes.

And you wonder “how, fam??” Why do you get this treatment and she does not? Well, it might be that the poor girl is in training just like you and wants to test her powers, or that she’s had it with her job.

But usually this does not happen… you’ll see that the way you feel about Karen is the same way everyone else, in their minds, feels about Karen too.

You’re not the only one who wonders if this world is going to an end because of her kind.

So bask a bit in that feeling of connection and don’t lean into victimhood, ok?

You’re lucky enough that when you’re done with this paper, you can go home to your own life and at least not be in that service energy five days a week. So again, lean into appreciation.

It’s funny, right? How a Karen episode can get you to tap into gratitude. You would have never seen it coming.

Cool…

Now, for the future, in order for you to get things done smoothly too, you’ve got to admit you need an attitude shift. And some solid role-play.

Beginning with Karen in mind, let’s get this straight: hopefully, you will never turn into one, and you’ll even laugh at them after a while, because once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.

Sometimes I let my imagination run and imagine their lives outside institutions, doctor’s offices, and shops. And I see her male version, her husband… Tom.

Karen goes home to Tom, and together they live a righteous life. Karen bosses Tom around and has access to his wallet. Tom has a buddy, a partner in crime if you will, someone to tell him, “Yes, dear, greed is cool.”

Oh, how I love to digress…

Now I want you to realise that Karen will never be you. This whole image of you turning into her… it’s not real. It’s a fear.

But!! There is a big but… if you let frustration run you and Karens get away with murder, you might become a little sister to that energy, or someone who thinks the world is a mean place and it’s not safe. You might isolate yourself from even the good stuff available to you, such as opportunities. You might block your own blessings.

And I’m going to tell you the logical way to avoid that.

Speak up, my sweets! Be firm and say what you want.

When I call the bank or the nurse at my GP’s office, I start with a peaceful, joking voice. I make a little joke and try to make their day better, even for a second. That is my way and my nature. Yours doesn’t have to be so.

Now, if they take me for the weak link and rush me, etc., I flip the script. No jokes. Just talking numbers and dates and invoices like I’ve been a lawyer in court my whole life.

I have all my papers close by and I will prove to her that I am no time-waster. I will make that person feel unprepared and slow… because why are you like that when all I want to do is stay happy and take others with me?

It’s okay… I’m cool now. I’ve accepted my unicorn status and with pride. But I am not going back to that place where I was made to feel less.

Sorry, guys! I know, it’s a hell of a job, but every day we must choose to be ourselves and do our best not to let Karens turn us into rocks. We do not want to be the next ones in line!

So for those reasons only and of course because you’re about yourself and want to get things done, you need to be firm!

Or play the auntie Patricia card… look a little confused until you see these folks tripping and then hit them with a mirror.

And just like we must choose to stay soft and kind, the Karens and the grumpy crew must look into that mirror.

Does their life suck? They must change it and it’s not your problem.

Do they hate their jobs? Same story. Not always easy, but possible.

Maybe through you they will notice that they get their kicks out of being mean and it will shake them a little. Or it might remind them of how the world really looks like without their type and they might wish to change…inshallah, I doubt it but look:

Even if you don’t owe anyone anything and you don’t need to be a Robin Hood of saving mindless folks, if the energy you bring in every room might make someone reflect on a better behaviour, then hey! Cookie and Karma points for you.

So do everyone a service and don’t be afraid to ask for what you came for. Is it your right to get it? Then get it.

You don’t have to scream or be rude or be a Karen. You can be yourself, or add a little pettiness that, in the right eyes is almost cute.

Now go get what’s yours, baby! Listen to me. Alright?