The Privilege of Being Underestimated

There’s this thought that’s been stuck in my head for the past few weeks, “It’s a privilege to be underestimated.”

I know, it sounds weird, right?

The other day, my 7-year-old daughter was upset because her brother told her he didn’t think she could do something. And without even thinking, I heard myself say, “You know what, it’s a privilege to be underestimated.” She looked at me confused and then smiled. That was the moment I realized that I truly believe this.

Because here’s the thing..…when people underestimate you, they’re not watching your next move. When others are playing checkers, you’re busy playing chess. They’re focused on what they think you can’t do, while you’re silently planning your next five moves.

Now throw a chronic illness like multiple sclerosis into the mix and that underestimation grows.

People may see me on a bad day or notice my brace and make assumptions. They think they know my limits. And sure, to some extent that’s true (you won’t see me running a 5k anytime soon). And quite frankly, I’ve made peace with that. But often, their assumptions are wrong.

What they don’t see is that living with a chronic illness has turned me into a master strategist. My moves begin the second I open my eyes in the morning. Before my feet even hit the floor, I’m already playing the game because I don't have a choice. I have to ask myself: How will I conserve energy to make it through the day? What can I delegate? What’s necessary and what can wait?

Before every meeting, every social event, every class assignment, I’m thinking ahead. I’m mentally preparing for every possible scenario, every question that might come up, every physical demand that might be asked of me.

People think MS has slowed me down. Physically? Definitely. But mentally? I’m sharper than ever been because I have to be.

When someone underestimates me, they may see the fumbling words, the fatigue, or the canceled plans. What they don’t see is how I’ve learned to work smarter, not harder. How I’ve developed a level of strategic thinking that my pre-MS self never had.

So yes, I stand by it. It is a privilege to be underestimated. To my daughter, and to anyone else who’s ever been counted out, dismissed, or underestimated- Let them think what they want. Let them play checkers. Keep playing chess. Trust me, the view from five moves ahead is pretty spectacular.