Unconscious bias

Unconscious bias is an attitude or judgment we did not plan for and may not even be aware we are exhibiting. It is something I have recently become more deliberate about addressing in my own life.

It is easy to judge others based on what we know, forgetting that not everyone has been exposed to the same knowledge, experiences, or opportunities. I encounter this often, especially in my work with teenage girls. At times, I find myself expecting them to already understand what life entails and to approach everything with seriousness, and this can make me unintentionally judgmental.

However, I often pause to reflect and remind myself of how I behaved at their age—the lessons I had yet to learn and the guidance I needed. This awareness helps me return to my conscience with empathy.

As a result, I now make a conscious effort to put things in place deliberately—choosing not to judge or react too quickly, but instead to respond with understanding, patience, and the wisdom gained through experience over time.