Pearl Nash
If you’ve seen the film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, you’d know that Frances McDormand’s portrayal of Mildred Hayes is nothing short of mesmerizing.
For me, you can genuinely feel her strength and determination seeping through the screen, as she is unyielding in her pursuit of justice for her slain daughter.
When Mildred fearlessly puts up the billboards, she’s telling the entire town: “I’m not going to sit back and let this slide.”
But hey, let’s not sugarcoat it—Mildred can be a bit, well, abrasive, can’t she?
Her grief-fueled quest for justice sometimes comes out in ways that push others away, and her confrontational nature and sharp tongue tend to alienate those around her.
It’s like she’s fighting a battle on all fronts, even with her own friends.
Yet, underneath all that tough exterior, her blunt honesty can be both a weapon and a shield against the pain and grief she’s lugging around.
As such, we find ourselves rooting for her, even when she’s being difficult. It’s that complexity that makes her such a compelling character.
If you find yourself relating to Mildred, and her strong character, here are some phrases you might regularly find yourself saying.
1) “Let’s get right to the point here.”
If you’re someone who prioritizes getting things ticked off the list, and you aren’t afraid to cut through all that unnecessary noise, you’ve probably uttered this line more than once: “Let’s get right to the point here.”
It’s a time-saving line you’re probably used to throwing out in a two-hour meeting where coworkers are going way, way off the point, and you’d like people to reign in the focus.
The line is indicative of a strong personality because, clearly, you’re not scared to skip all that small talk and dive into what actually matters.
It’s because you value everyone’s time and want to cut through the fluff.
So, if you throw out this line very often, chances are you don’t only have a strong personality—you’re also someone people tend to refer to as “not suffering fools.”
I must say, it’s important to remember that this line can rub a few people the wrong way. Yep.
For starters, it might come off as condescending or interruptive, especially if others feel they weren’t finished with their line of discussion or train of thought.
It can read like you might be dismissing others’ contributions or pushing your own agenda.
2) “I’m not really here to make friends.”
Now for the line we’ve heard on many a reality TV show in recent years.
“I’m not really here to make friends” is a phrase that means you’re communicating that your main focus is the task at hand, not socializing.
It can seem abrasive because it goes against the norm: in life, we’re taught to be social and make connections with the people around us.
Maybe this doesn’t best represent you, or maybe you are unapologetically focused on your goals, either way, it doesn’t mean you can’t make friends or don’t value relationships.
Really, it just means that’s not your priority right now, in this setting.
Also, maybe you’ve had a handful of experiences where getting too close to others complicated your objectives and hindered progress.
I mean, particularly in competitive settings, friendships can blur lines and create distractions.
Phrases like this remind us that, sometimes, it’s okay to put ourselves first and stay focused, even if it ruffles some feathers.
It takes bucket loads of determination and strength to stick to your goals, even when it’s not the popular choice.
3) “I won’t buy into negativity.”
You might have a strong personality in the sense that you won’t allow yourself to get mired down in negativity.
It’s not just about you always being cheerful or smiling—sometimes it’s about drawing a line in the sand and refusing to let negativity take up any space in your life.
And that’s exactly what you mean when you say: “I won’t buy into negativity.”
Of course, sometimes it can come across as a little harsh, and people might be shocked by your candor, but essentially what you’re doing here is creating a firm boundary.
I personally believe that in this day and age, we could do with way more boundaries! You’re telling people: “I’m not going to let bad vibes drag me down.”
Think about it. When you’re having a group whinge, tensions are high, and everyone is complaining about how things are all horrid at the moment. It’s easy to get sucked into that spiral, right?
So, when you’re letting on that you won’t buy into the negativity, it’s as if you’re focusing on solutions and keeping the morale up.
And trust me, this kind of attitude can be a total game-changer!
By refusing to buy into all the chaos, you’re protecting your peace and keeping your energy focused on the positive, and what you can control.
It’s not about being unrealistic or ignoring the problems at hand—it’s about choosing how to respond to them.
4) “I’m not afraid to fail.”
If you’re a person with a so-called “strong” personality, more often than not, those around you might tell you how you’re a little “blunt.”
Particularly if you’re one to often declare: “I’m not afraid to fail.”
In saying this, you are willing to face failure head-on, learning and always moving forward.
You’re all for embracing the unknown, with the knowledge that even if things don’t pan out as planned, there’s value in the experience gained.
To me, it takes real guts to admit that failure is all part of the process, and I know not everyone is comfortable with such honesty.
Remember, people with strong personalities can come across as a bit blunt—but that same trait makes people resilient.
So, next time you find yourself saying those five fortuitous words, remember the achievements they represent.
5) “That’s not entirely my problem, is it?”
Ever had someone approach you and drop a big pile of problems in your lap?
It’s as if they expect you to fix it, like it’s your responsibility.
Yeah, we’ve all been there. But wait a hot minute… Why should it be your problem?
Maybe you’re at work, hustling through your tasks, when your boss lets you in on a secret: they messed up big time on their presentation, and now they’re looking for someone lower in the ranks to soak up the blame.
It’s moments like these when you might find yourself saying, “That’s not entirely my problem, is it?”
Sure, being helpful and lending a hand is lovely and all that, but there’s a fine line between being a good person and being the designated fixer-upper for everyone else’s messes.
Your time, your reputation, your mental health—they’re all precious materials, and you have every right to set your limits over them.
6) “I’m certain of my worth.”
Here’s a fact for you: when you’re confident in your inherent value as a person, you’re less likely to be shaken by doubts or criticism.
You own your space with conviction—and that’s a powerful thing, pal.
So, if you’re a person with a strong personality, who is also unwavering in their value as a person, you probably have found yourself saying: “I’m certain of my worth.”
Of course, this might get on some people’s nerves, but I’d like to also take it as a sign of authenticity.
You’re not beating around the bush here, rather, you’re speaking your truth, even if it’s not always pleasant.
People might not always agree with you, but here’s hoping they’ll have a bit of respect for your honesty and faith in yourself.
7) “I’m not here to please everyone—that’s not realistic.”
You’re on a road trip to the other side of the country. It’s one hell of a long drive.
Everyone in the tiny car is arguing, trying to decide on what to play on the speaker. And here’s the kicker: you are in charge!
Some people want to listen to Taylor Swift’s new album, and the rest want to listen to the latest true crime podcast.
And what do you do? You play some indie rock and say with a shrug: “I’m not here to please everyone.”
Think about it: Do you truly want to spend your time and energy always bending over backward to please every single person?
8) “You can take it, or leave it.”
Sometimes your directness in all your person-to-person interactions might sting a little, but deep down, you know it’s what some people might need.
While “You can take it, or leave it” reeks of toughness, in it, there’s a nugget of wisdom.
You’re telling others you’re all about owning your truth and respecting others enough to let them do the same.
Plus you’re set in your convictions, but there’s no way you’re forcing them on anyone else.
9) “I’m firm on this.”
Life throws everything at us at times. Sometimes, you’ve got to stand your ground.
Whether it’s cutting yourself a good deal in salary negotiations, or setting boundaries in a much-needed breakup, being firm is about asserting yourself with confidence and an unshakeable spirit.
So, when you say the words, “I’m firm on this”, you’re standing tall in their beliefs, ready for whatever comes their way. You are someone who knows exactly where you stand.
Sure, some folks may see it as abrasive, or as having an overly strong character, but at the end of the day, you know what you want, and you’re not afraid to make that heard.
