The Cost of Passivity

Passive Choice is Still a Choice

There’s something we don’t talk about enough:
The danger of doing nothing.

When we decide to do acts like staying quiet, staying hidden, or staying out of it.
We think it means we’re being neutral.
But the truth is... and I'ma say it bluntly:

Doing nothing is not neutral. It’s making a choice.

And that choice carries consequences. Even when you think it doesn't.

The Myth of “Mi Cyah Badda”

We, as Jamaicans, love to say, “Mi cyah badda,” like it frees us from responsibility.

But that same “cyah badda” is why corrupt leaders stay in power.
Why bad systems go unchecked.
Why our children inherit the same broken foundation we were given.

That same "cyah badda" will always feel like an easier route to remove ourselves from the situation.

So easy to say, “It nuh have nutt’n fi do wid me.” (It has nothing to do with me)

But every time we run away from making a choice on something that affects us, we’re allowing someone else decide what happens next.

So, whether you do something or choose to not be bothered with it, you are still choosing.

And when You Choose Nothing, You Choose What’s Already Happening

Let’s be honest.

We love to appoint blame:

• “It’s the government.”

• “It’s the system.”

• “It’s them, not me.”
  

But what if I told you that choosing not to act is actually choosing for the very thing you’re complaining about?

Every time we don’t vote,
Every time we don’t choose differently,
Every time we don’t say “no more,”

We are quietly saying “yes, more please.”

Story Time: A Group Project Analogy

Picture this:

All of Jamaica is in a group project together.
But John not doing his part.
So, you say, “Well if John nah do nutt’n, mi nah do nutt’n either.” (If John isn't doing anything then I won't do anything)
Then Thomas says the same.
Shirley says the same.

Now everybody waiting on somebody else.

Meanwhile, Chris and Jermaine decide they want the grade.
They do all the work, take all the glory, and everybody else fail.

Does that sound familiar?

Because that’s what’s happening in our society.

We’re letting a few people, some corrupt, some simply more active... Make the decisions for all of us.

And we're pretending we didn’t choose that.

What If We All Took Our Part Seriously?

You’ve done it before. You’ve carried the weight of others in group settings.
You’ve said, “Mi a do mi part, mi cyaah watch nobody else.”

So why don’t we do that for our nation? For ourselves?

Why don’t we act with the same urgency, pride, and integrity when it comes to our future?

I’ll tell you why:

We’ve been taught that our voice doesn't matter.
That effort won’t change anything.
That the system is too big.

But those are lies.

Lies that benefit the few who rely on our silence.

Silence is Not Safety

A lot of people aren’t passive because they don’t care.

They’re passive because they’re afraid.

Afraid to speak out and lose their job.
Afraid to stand up and face backlash.
Afraid to risk short-term comfort for long-term freedom.

But fear is not a good enough reason to stay stuck.

What you tolerate today becomes what your children inherit tomorrow.

You Are Choosing So Choose with Intention

You don’t have to fix everything in one day.
You don't gotta be perfect.
But please, don’t think that doing nothing is outside of your power.

You make choices every single day.
So, make them with courage. Make them with clarity.
Make them with the future in mind.

Passive choice is still a choice.
So, what will you choose today?

Your Next Step for You

If you’re ready to stop living on automatic and start making choices that align with your truth, let’s talk.

📞 Book a free clarity call with me. We’ll find out where you're giving away your power.

📓 Or start with my Self-Trust Journal your guide to reconnecting with your voice, your values, and your power.

One step. One choice. That’s all it takes to start moving forward.