#camoflaging

Growing up, especially in school, I was often scolded for "not paying attention" (regardless of whether I was actually paying attention or not). 

Growing up, especially in school, I was often scolded for “not paying attention” (regardless of whether I was actually paying attention or not).  “Look at me!”   “Eyes on me!” “Eyes to the front!”  “If you’re drawing or doodling, you’re not paying attention to what I’m saying,” the teacher would say, somehow failing to comprehend that a person’s ears can work fine even if their eyes are…

"If you tried a little harder..." - the worst words to hear when you've already been trying your hardest, did your best, and had nothing left to give.

Brightly colored 3 panel comic: Panel one a person in a purple outfit is jumping with excitement saying “LOOK WHAT I DID”. Panel 2: a person in an orange shirt with hands on their hips is annoyed saying “If you tried a little harder next time it could be better.” Panel 3: The person from panel one is sitting on the floor sad, with a thought bubble above them that reads “but I was trying my…