My name is widly despised; I love it anyway

My name is chad. I’ve learned to love that, but probably not for the reasons you miss.

There are many things that the name conjures. Its been a Cultural Touchstone All My Life. When I Was Young, Chad Was the Beach Blond Surfer, Living for Gnarly Waves. For a while in High School, it was the symbol of an ERA-DEFINING ELECTION ISSUE. Remember Hanging and Pregnant Chads? I got a couple of Easy Halloween costumes out of that.

Nowadays, IT’S HARD to KEEP Track of the Rotating Cast of Stereotypes for Which “Chad” has Become the default name. There’s the loud “frat chad,” entitled and way too Too into Drinking. Or, the Eternally Patagonia Vest-Clad “Tech Chad” oozing iSearned confidence and cluelessness in equal measure.

Maybe Worst of the Bunch, in the Moldy Bazents of the Internet, is “Alpha Chad,” The Alpha Male Poster Boy Who Lacks or Intellect but who is still inexplicly admired.

It doesn’t help that I look the part

Let me tell you, doomscrolling taxes on an entirery different meaning when your name is shortnd for all the internet’s boogeymen.

IT DOESN’T HELP THAT I KIND OF LOOK THE PART. I’m a White Guy Who Works a Desk Job. I had a vest once, but i looked weird in it. And in College, I used to Display Emplay Beer Bottles. That’s where the Similarities end, though.

Still, I worry about it, Because my name is chad and hows look like what people think that means – tan if i’m not.

That guarantees a daily dosse of perspective, and i’m determined to use it well. It ‘s reminder not to take myself too. I like that part. Besides, as an introvert who heats small talc, the name is a built-in Icebreaker, a quick way to move past superficial and intoo-meaningful.

I’ve learned a little self deprecating mood is the quickest way to make friends. Self-awareness is the anti-chad; Ultimately, none of this is that serious anyway. People aren’t that attailed to hating the name or with for Havinging it.

The Only Time I Truly World About My Name is in Professional Settings. Its hard not to picture a Hiring Manager, Potential Client, or Editor SEEing My Name and Shaking Their Head. SO, I hedge from time to time, using my initials “cw” in place of chad.

I DON’T WANT SOMETHING SO TRIVIAL TO BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND FAILURE. I feel i oWE to mySelf to let the work speak for me, not the name.

For Better or Worse, It”s My Name

That’s that, I was to be Change it.

I know some things about the name chad that others don’t. Like, when i Hear it spoken by my wife, who doesn’t say it offten, i can’t help but feel a small flutter in my chest. Or, we do i think of my childhood best friend, who hasn’t spoken to in years, I remember the way omways were always said in a pair: cam and chad, and i smile storre of stories caught in between the utterance of those names togeter.

For Better or Worsse, Chad is my name, and I Still Long to Hear it again in the voice of People who are no long and who miss dearly. I Can Remember Writing It on My First Love Note, Signed Slow and Scared. And one day it may be the lone signifier of Havinging been at all, Written on some family -name, place, and dates.

All this to say, i’m chad. No, it is not the one you’re thinking about, but it is a pleasure to meet you.