#earn activity Have you been there - completely misreading a situation or someone's feelings? That "Oh, that's why they were acting that way!" realization hits hard. Studies show we can miss emotional cues due to stress or quick assumptions. It's a common human experience and sharing these moments helps us all get better at understanding each other. Share YOUR story: 1. Briefly set the stage with the person and the situation. 2. What did you think was happening versus what was actually happening? (e.g., thought they were aloof but they were actually grieving). 3. What was the sign you missed initially but picked up on later? 4. What did you learn from this experience that will help you next time? ATTACHMENT: TRADITIONAL/PHYSICAL DRAWING (on paper using pencil and color media) CHECK the attached image carefully. See that red box ( and what’s in it ) found in the upper left corner? Draw exactly like that and use it as your attachment. Include #EmpathyFail
+ the EF! - I read submissions one by one, and I understand those copied or rephrased entries. If this happens again, you will be blocked and will no longer be able to participate in any future activities
will host. - Closes at 10 entries. - Failure to follow any of the given rules may be subject to disqualification or deduction of rewards! VERY VERY IMPORTANT NOTES FOR THIS ACTIVITY: BASE REWARD is 300,000 MLX per participant. Duplicate entries won’t be entertained . ***I set the comments to be visible only after 72 hours. This activity will officially close once the comments are made public. This approach is intended to be fair to those who participate early. I typically provide feedback on each entry, detailing any deductions. However, I've noticed that some participants submit their entries after the comments are visible, which allows them to benefit from insights that others may have missed. This policy aims to ensure a level playing field for all participants.*** 1. DISQUALIFICATION • Posting inside the group/Commenting the link to a post • Entries out of topic • NOT subscribed to
upon checking. • COPIED or REPHRASED entries • Entries from someone with more than 1 Tangled account 2. DEDUCTIONS • 30k - Failure to include any or all of the ff: correct tag #EmpathyFail and mentions:
• 30k-100k - Failure to explain in complete thought • 30k – Failure to include the required additional phrase • 100k - Failure to follow the required correct attachment ( minor mistakes = deductions only ) 3. ALL deductions from rule-breakers will be split evenly among participants who followed every rule. In cases where the deductions are significantly larger and the participants who followed the rules do not exceed half of the capped entries, a portion of the deduction will be allocated to standout entries. Meanwhile, those who complied with the rules will also receive their share.
Activity Closed! 🎉 Officially wrapping up this activity as the 72-hour window has come to an end and comments are now visible to the public.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who shared their #EmpathyFail stories! Your willingness to discuss those moments when we misread situations or emotions is truly inspiring. It takes great courage to reflect on our misunderstandings, and by doing so, we not only learn from our experiences but also strengthen our community bonds.
Now, let’s talk rewards! Out of the 7 submissions received, only 2 perfectly followed the rules, and they will split the rewards allocated for the 3 unfilled spots. Congratulations to
Additionally, I had a total of 480k MLX deducted for entries that didn’t adhere to the attachment rules, failed to use the correct tag, or didn’t include the required phrase. This amount will be distributed among 4 standout entries, with each receiving 120k MLX:
DEDUCTIONS: • 30k – Failure to include the required additional phrase • 100k - Failure to follow the required correct attachment ( minor mistakes = deductions only )
One time, I misunderstood my husband’s behavior and later realized my mistake.
One evening, my husband came home very quiet and didn’t talk much. I thought he was ignoring me or maybe upset with me. I felt hurt and didn’t try to talk to him properly.
But later, I found out that he had a very stressful day at work and was mentally tired. He wasn’t ignoring me at all—he just needed some time to relax.
The sign I missed was his tired face and silence. I didn’t notice that he was exhausted.
From this experience, I learned that I should not make quick assumptions. Now, I try to understand the situation first and communicate calmly before reacting.
DEDUCTIONS: • 30k – Failure to include the required additional phrase • 100k - Failure to follow the required correct attachment ( minor mistakes = deductions only )
Empathy Fall Story 1. I had a co-worker before who suddenly became quiet and distant. We used to talk a lot, but then she started avoiding conversations.
2. I taught she was mad at me or didn't like me anymore. But later, i found out she was dealing with family problems and was emotionally drained.
3. The sign I missed was how tired and distracted she looked. I didn't notice it at first because I was focused on how she treated me.
4. I learned, not to assume too quickly. Next time, I will try to understand first and be more patient, because people maybe going through something I don't see.
1. Briefly set the stage with the person and the situation: My late mother used to advise us sisters to tolerate our sister-in-law’s behavior and not to argue with her. 2. What did you think was happening versus what was actually happening? At the time, I thought her advice was unfair and seemed to favor my brother. Later, after she passed away, I realized she wanted to protect our family’s honor and ensure our parental home remained respected. 3. What was the sign you missed initially but picked up on later? I missed the fact that she always cared about our family’s dignity and future, which became clear only after her passing. 4. What did you learn from this experience that will help you next time? I learned that advice that seems unfair at first may be meant to guide and protect us. I will now try to understand the intention behind guidance before judging it.
It’s funny how easily we can misread someone when we’re looking at them through a tiny phone screen. Not too long ago, I had an experience on TikTok that completely changed the way I look at my "followers." It all started during one of my Livestreams. I met a man there, welcomed him warmly, and asked how he was doing. After that, he started messaging me every single day, sending motivational quotes and funny videos. To be honest, I didn't think much of it. I actually ignored him because I assumed he was just another "creepy" fanatic or a weird stranger overstepping boundaries. The "aha" moment—the one that hit me hard—happened when he joined my Livestream again. This time, he didn't just watch; he spoke up. He told me he was feeling hurt because I only ever gave him a single heart emoji, even though he supported every video I posted. That’s when the truth came out: he was struggling with deep anxiety and depression. He told me that my videos were the only thing that made him smile or gave him hope. He even mentioned how sad he was that I had deleted some of my old content, because he used to rewatch those videos whenever he felt down. I realized I had missed a huge sign. What I thought was "weird" behavior was actually a cry for help. He wasn't trying to be a creep; he was just someone hanging on by a thread, looking for a reason to feel okay. He even told me, "I know I don’t deserve your attention, but thank you for everything." Since that day, I’ve changed how I handle things. We live in different time zones—when it's 5:00 AM for me, it’s 2:00 AM for him. I always tell him to go to sleep early, but he confessed that he can’t sleep until he sees a reply from me. Now, I make sure to respond with a thumbs-up, a heart, or a simple "good morning." This experience taught me that a tiny notification on a screen might feel small to me, but it can be the highlight of someone else’s entire day. It’s a reminder to lead with kindness, because you never truly know the weight someone else is carrying. It is such a shift to realize that what feels like a "digital chore" to us can be a literal lifeline for someone else. #EmpathyFail
1. The Situation There was a classmate I interacted with regularly. They suddenly became quiet, stopped engaging in conversations, and seemed distant during group work.
2. My Assumption vs Reality At first, I thought they were being rude or didn’t like me anymore. It felt personal. Later, I found out they were dealing with serious family issues and were emotionally overwhelmed.
3. The Missed Sign Looking back, I noticed they were still polite but low-energy, and they avoided deeper conversations—not just with me, but with everyone. That was the sign I didn’t recognize at the time.
4. What I Learned I learned not to jump to conclusions based on behavior alone. People often carry things you can’t see. Next time, I’ll pause, observe more, and choose empathy before assuming the worst.
DEDUCTIONS: • 30k – Failure to include the required additional phrase • 100k - Failure to follow the required correct attachment ( minor mistakes = deductions only )
and this happened at a small design workshop I joined six years ago ( august, 2020) in reference of volunteers against COVID-19. There was a girl named Aysha , quiet, distant, and always sitting alone during breaks. Whenever I tried to talk, she gave short replies and avoided eye contact. I assumed she just didn’t like people or maybe didn’t like me.
What I Thought vs. Reality At first, I thought Aysha is arrogant or uninterested. In my mind, she was someone who felt “above others.” But later, I found out the truth, she wasn’t aloof at all. She was going through a really tough time at home. Her silence wasn’t attitude , it was emotional exhaustion due to her father who passed away in first wave of coronavirus in early 2020.
The Sign I Missed The sign I missed was her eyes. Even when she wasn’t talking much, there was a heaviness , like she was present physically but somewhere else mentally. I only realized this later only end of the workshop ( it was 6 days training workshop) when one day she accidentally opened up a little and said, “Sorry, I’ve just had a lot on my mind lately.” That moment made everything click & clear.
What I Learned I learned that not everyone’s behavior is about us. Sometimes people are fighting battles we can’t see. Next time, instead of judging quickly, I should try to be more patient, more observant, and more kind. A little understanding can go a long way and sometimes, silence isn’t rejection , it’s pain.