Am I Jaded?

The other day, someone suggested that I might be jaded about a topic we were discussing.

And honestly, I wasn’t sure how to respond. It wasn't that I was offended, or that the comment caught me off guard. It really was that I wasn’t entirely sure what the word even meant in this context.

So, I Googled it.

Turns out, being jaded is defined as feeling weary, cynical, or apathetic, often from overexposure or disappointment.

And as much as I wanted to argue with the label, I found myself sitting with it, asking:

Am I jaded?

And straight to the blog to get my thoughts written down.

So, here goes. On one hand, I don’t think I’ve lost my spark. I still feel deeply, care intensely, and still find joy in the little things, like the perfect avocado or a song I’ve had on repeat for days. Currently it is Birds & Bees.

But on the other hand, it would be weird if I ignored the simple fact that the world feels... heavy. The endless cycle of news, work pressures, and life admin leaves me drained.

Is that jadedness?

Or is it just the reality of being an adult in 2025?

I personally think there’s a fine line between being jaded and being realistic. Experience has taught me a LOT. Some lessons are great and others less so. I've learned who you can trust, where to place your energy, and when to walk away.

I don't think that’s not cynicism; that’s wisdom. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.

But what is really important to me is that I really don't want to be that person who stops believing in the magic of things.

The person who rolls their eyes at optimism or dismisses new ideas because “it’s all been done before.”

It is so important to me to stay open.

Open to experiences.

Open to new people.

Open to the possibility that life can still surprise me.

So, am I jaded? Maybe a little.

But for 2025, I am REALLY hopeful.

And quite frankly if being jaded means I’ve grown protective of my time, energy, and boundaries, then maybe it’s not such a bad thing after all.