So there I was, staring at two earplugs: one basic, $1 foam plug and another that cost 10x more but promised “high-fidelity sound.” It was just an earplug. An. Earplug. And yet, my brain had me spiraling into a full-blown identity crisis.
Do I go with the practical choice and accept muffled concert audio for the sake of saving money? Or do I invest in the best possible experience while protecting my ears without sacrificing sound quality? I mean, it's my first time attending a concert after a long time—why compromise now?!
That’s when it hit me: this is just how I’m wired. I’m the person who calculates quality vs. price like it’s an Olympic sport. I’m not here for overpriced hype, but I also refuse to settle for mediocrity disguised as practicality. And apparently, this makes me a hot topic.
“You overthink the smallest things.”
“You have unrealistic expectations.”
“Just get the cheap one, it’s not that deep!”
“You have unrealistic expectations.”
“Just get the cheap one, it’s not that deep!”
But you know what? It is that deep—to me. And that’s okay.
Understanding my own personality helped me realize that I’m not being unreasonable—I’m being me. And when you understand yourself, it becomes easier to navigate judgments from others (and even from yourself).
So whether you’re the “just grab whatever’s cheapest” type or the “let me analyze this purchase for three days” type—own it. Your way of doing things isn’t wrong just because it doesn’t match the world’s idea of normal.
So here I am, contemplating on an earplug at 3am in the morning. Yes I am losing sleep as of this moment. For a freaking earplug.
If you were in my position, what would your choice be?
UPDATE: So I bought the loop and now on my second order. :) I got the Quiet 2 and was happy about it when I used it in j-hope's concert in April. I find it useful in crowded areas like sports bars and restaurants where people tend to get loud. However, using the Quiet 2 blocks too much of the sound, making it hard for me to interact with people. This one is so good tho if I like to study or work without having to engage. So I got the Engage 2 for days when I want to be social and still have this quiet space.
If you are contemplating about getting one, use this referral link to get 15% off on your purchase :)
