Nifty Fifty
Welcome back, loyal readers! You must be a loyal reader if you’re coming back to this blog after my nearly three-month hiatus. This is definitely the longest I’ve gone since starting Quinn Runs [the world] without writing a blog post, and I’m sure you can understand why. With all of the current events going on in our country [this one’s for you, America], my voice was far from the most important one to be heard. And frankly, it still isn’t.
It’s difficult for me to know where to start with this post. Here I am, writing a list of Fifty Compliments That Are Way Better Than Commenting on Someone’s Appearance. On many levels, the topic feels trite and vaguely irrelevant. It’s tempting to try to frame this as a ~spark of light in a dark world~ type of post, but that’s not what it is. This post is not a public service. It’s a list that I wrote two and a half months ago, after Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd but before I had heard about Floyd’s death. It’s a list that, at the time of my writing it, genuinely seemed important.
I was fed up with hearing people comment on my body and my appearance. I was sick of hearing people talk about extra quarantine pounds and tired of being called pretty or cute before anything else. There are so many more relevant, important, and interesting things to compliment people on. I still feel this way—of course I do. And I still want to share my ideas with you.
So, I’m going to do that, with this caveat: if you’re reading this right now, pause and consume something else first [don’t worry, you can always come back to this after]. I’m going to link some of my favorites. Try this essay called “Reflections from a Token Black Friend” by Ramesh A. Nagarajah, a black man who grew up in a Massachusetts town near mine. Listen to an episode [or two or three!] of the “Nice White Parents” podcast by This American Life, which talks about continued segregation in New York City public schools. Educate yourself on Trump’s record of racism, as explored here by Democracy in Color.
Okay, have you read something? Great. I’m trusting you here. Look, I’m not trying to say that there’s no time for pleasure reading. I love pleasure reading! If I really believed that, I wouldn’t be publishing this post at all. But it’s crucial to continue educating ourselves on important issues, especially as the media covers the Black Lives Matter movement increasingly less and social media activism fades. So, read and protest and donate and VOTE.
I think you’ll find there’s still time in your day for browsing Instagram, reading assorted lifestyle blogs, and online shopping. So, when you’re about to scroll into the depths of another Instagram astrology account and wonder why only half of the Gemini stuff describes you [idk about you guys but this is what I do before I go to bed], that’s when you come back to peruse this blog post instead.
I hope you guys enjoy! Give these compliments, and give them meaningfully and honestly. Especially #50. Surround yourself with friends who really deserve #50. Alright, here we go!
Fifty Compliments That Are WAY BETTER Than Commenting on Someone’s Appearance:
You have a great smile.
I love your laugh!
You have fantastic style.
I read your [book, article, thesis, blog post] and it was really smart.
You have great taste in [music, food, clothing, fitness blogs].
You’re so good at [makeup, cooking, leading a group, staying organized].
I really admire your commitment to [family, exercising, meditation, trying new things].
I’m so glad I met you.
You’re such a good listener.
Your voice is music to my ears.
I’d rather do nothing with you than something with anyone else.
You make lockdown fun!
I love how passionate you are about [running, Helen of Troy, athleisure, your blog].
You inspire me.
You’re my favorite person to spend time with.
You’re wonderful!
I feel like I can tell you anything.
You always make me smile.
I know I can count on you.
You’ve really changed my perspective on [conspiracy theories, taking lockdown seriously, body-based compliments].
You’re so well-spoken and articulate.
You’re so thoughtful; [insert kind gesture here] meant the world to me.
You make me feel so good about myself.
I really respect your diligence and drive.
I hope we know each other for a long, long time.
You have a great sense of humor.
You’re such a good friend.
I can’t wait to see what you accomplish.
I appreciate you.
I’m constantly telling my other friends about how incredible you are.
This world is lucky to have you.
You just made my day!
Our friendship is so important to me.
I can’t imagine my life without you.
I love that you do what you love.
You matter.
You really motivated me to [try a new food, start that blog, sign up for that marathon].
I always want to hear your advice, even if we don’t always agree.
I’m grateful for you.
The time we spend together is so valuable to me.
I’m honored that you chose me to be your friend!
You make life so much more [fun, spontaneous, relaxed, beautiful].
You light up a room.
I love the way you think.
I can’t wait to introduce you to my parents!
I really appreciate your honesty.
You have such great ideas.
You make me a better person.
Thank you for being your fantastic self!
I’m proud of you for standing up for what you believe in.
