I value being straightforward. Blunt and maybe even a little tactless, some might say. I’ve always admired people who move through the world like that. You can feel it in the way they speak—direct, without hidden layers. No games, no manipulation. Just themselves.

But if I’m being honest, I’ve also watched others, and myself, slip into the mode of “playing politics,” especially in work or school settings where relationships can shape opportunities.

In school, “politics” can look like aligning yourself with the right group, knowing which teacher favors a certain style, or quietly agreeing with something you don’t believe because it keeps the peace. In adult life, it becomes knowing what to say in a meeting, when to hold back, or who to stand beside at an event. Not going to lie, I’ve always sucked at it and been a bit judgmental of those who seemed so good at it.

Playing politics is not inherently evil—it’s a survival skill, a way of navigating systems that don’t always reward candor. But sometimes it can come at a cost of ourselves and our own values.

When we lean too hard into playing politics, we may risk losing that sense of self—the part of us that feels clear and grounded when we’re being genuine. Over time, it shows up as burnout, frustration, or a nagging sense that we’re living someone else’s story instead of our own.

Being genuine doesn’t mean saying everything you think out loud or refusing to compromise. It’s subtler than that. It’s about aligning your choices with your values, even in the small interactions. It’s about listening fully instead of calculating your next move. It’s about telling the truth (kindly), even when it’s inconvenient. It’s stepping into your own story when someone expects you to play a part.

I think we’re all balancing between these two modes: genuine presence and political maneuvering. Some situations do call for tact and diplomacy–after all, relationships are delicate. But I’ve learned that if I consistently choose authenticity, I not only feel lighter, I build trust with others in ways that “politics” never could.

In the end, being genuine doesn’t mean ignoring how the world works. It means refusing to lose yourself while moving through it. And maybe that’s the real challenge—not mastering the politics, but finding ways to stay true while still learning how to “play the game.”