Many people rush to judgment.

They stick a label on you when they first meet you, without bothering to dig a little deeper.

This is unfortunate – because digging would make them realize how wrong their initial assessment was.

Here are 8 signs you’re a good person who is just sometimes misunderstood, according to psychology.

Don’t let everyone else’s negativity bring you down.

1) You avoid conflict

You take peace over confrontation any day, so you tend to avoid conflict whenever possible.

Unfortunately, others may perceive this as a lack of assertiveness.

Psychologists point out that conflict avoidance can be a type of people-pleasing behavior that hurts you as much as those around.

But your fondness for a drama-free environment doesn’t mean that you’re incapable of asserting yourself.

When faced with issues that directly challenge your values or boundaries, you stand firm in your convictions.

Right?

You do so in a way that prioritizes respect and understanding rather than escalating tensions unnecessarily. You don’t raise your voice, storm out, or throw tantrums.

People may call you meek but all you want is to maintain a sense of harmony in a chaotic existence.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

2) You’re “too sensitive”

If I had a dollar for every time someone called me “too sensitive,” I would be very, very rich by now.  

Or told me I “feel too much,” whatever that means.

People point this out as being a bad thing when in fact being sensitive has plenty of upsides:

• You’re more attuned to the emotions of others
• You’re able to empathize with others’ experiences on a profound level and form deep, long-lasting connections
• You have a gut feeling about certain people and situations
• You have high emotional intelligence
• You approach life with authenticity and vulnerability

While others may see you as overly emotional or fragile, these traits are the hallmarks of a strong person, as far as I’m concerned.

3) You channel your emotions into art

On a similar note, sensitive people frequently channel their emotions and thoughts into art.

Music, painting, writing – whatever it may be, creating enables you to explore your rich inner landscape and share your depths with the world.

However, your artistic temperament may be misunderstood by those who don’t share your vision.

According to psychology, there has long been a connection between neuroticism and creativity.

Neurotic individuals experience emotions with greater intensity, can react strongly to minor stressors, and are prone to mood swings.

While these attributes help you express yourself creatively, they can also rub others the wrong way.

But they in no way make you a bad person.

4) You’re overly generous

Being generous is a double-edged sword.

You may have a natural inclination to lend a helping hand or offer support to those in need.

To other people, though, your altruistic tendencies can come across as attention-seeking. Even worse, they may suspect you of having ulterior motives.

For instance, I have trust issues. Whenever someone offers me help, I suspect they’re doing it for some nefarious reason.

They wouldn’t only want to make my life easier, what’s in it for them?

It’s a skeptical way to approach such a situation, and I’m working on it, but I would guess that many other people feel the same.

Still, you shouldn’t let this affect your generous ways.

Psychologists emphasize that giving to others has countless benefits.

You’re the one doing it right.

5) You have an optimistic outlook on life

Have you been called delusional lately?

Perhaps you maintain a positive attitude even in the most challenging of circumstances and believe in the inherent goodness of people.

While this attitude is commendable, your optimism may be seen as naivety or ignorance.

Others can view it as a form of idealism that fails to acknowledge the complexities and injustices of the world.

In their eyes, being overly optimistic feels like turning a blind eye to the harsh truths and struggles that many people face daily.

As long as your optimism is rooted in a deep-seated belief in the power of positivity rather than ignorance, you have nothing to worry about.

Optimism isn’t about ignoring the bad. It’s about acknowledging it while also recognizing the resilience of the human spirit.

If you can do that, I don’t see how being positive makes you a bad person.

You’re trying to live life based on *your* values, which is the best any of us can do.  

6) You protect your boundaries

Another sign you’re a good person who is just sometimes misunderstood is that you protect your boundaries fiercely.  

While this trait is admirable, it can sometimes lead to misunderstandings with others who interpret your assertiveness as coldness or distance.

Especially if these others have trouble establishing boundaries of their own.

Despite potential misinterpretations, keep in mind that boundaries are crucial for your well-being.

According to psychology, setting them means knowing what you expect from the people in your life and what you’ll accept from them.

By setting clear boundaries, you create a sense of safety for yourself, ensuring that your needs are met and you’re not subjected to harmful situations.

It’s a sign of respect for both you and the people in your life.

Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

7) You’re a deep thinker

If you’re a big thinker, you like to ponder life’s big questions and explore complex ideas.

Your introspective nature might be mistaken for detachment when you’re just processing the world in your own thoughtful way.

You likely enjoy delving into philosophical concepts, scientific theories, and existential questions, seeking to understand the underlying truths that govern our existence.

Or, you spend a considerable amount of time reflecting on your thoughts and feelings.

As long as your introspection doesn’t turn into rumination, you’re good, according to psychology.

Explain to others that you prefer to mull over things before venturing an opinion or offering advice.

That should clear up any misunderstandings.

8) You downplay your accomplishments

In a world obsessed with self-promotion, downplaying your accomplishments can be interpreted as a lack of confidence or ambition.

If you’re the kind of person who likes to shine the spotlight on others, you might be perpetually overlooked.

In reality, you’re simply a good person who likes to see others succeed.

You’re more comfortable operating behind the scenes, preferring to let your actions speak louder than your words.

Psychologists see humility as an indication of tremendous inner strength.  

Downplaying accomplishments is less about seeking validation and more about maintaining authenticity and integrity.

There’s a good chance you are more concerned with staying true to yourself than with garnering accolades.

If someone only likes you for what you achieve, do they even like you in the first place?

Bottom line

Being a good person in an increasingly cynical world is reason enough to celebrate.

Despite being inundated with depressing news day after day and living through crisis after crisis, you still value kindness and respect above all else.

And if others don’t get that, you don’t have to work overtime to make them understand your way of life.

At the end of the day, what casual acquaintances think of you is none of your business.

The people closest to you know what’s what.