You ever hear a phrase so often it starts to sound like gospel, even though you’ve got zero personal experience with whatever the heck they’re talking about? Yeah, me too. “That’s what they say, I wouldn’t know” has become a regular part of my inner (and outer) dialogue lately. It’s my go-to for just about anything people get excited about that I can’t seem to muster up the energy to care about. Here’s the thing: They say a lot of things, and I’ve come to realize that just because they say it, doesn’t mean I’ve got to go along for the ride.

Take, for instance, running. “Running is such a great stress reliever,” they say. Yeah, that’s what they say. I wouldn’t know. Every time I’ve attempted to jog, my lungs give up on life, my legs feel like concrete, and suddenly I’m questioning every decision that led me to this moment. Sure, I see people out there looking all zen, jogging along the beach at sunset or through picturesque parks, and I think, “Maybe they’re onto something.” But then I remember my last ill-fated attempt and opt for a cozy walk with my dogs instead. Stress relief? That’s what they say. I wouldn’t know.

Or how about this one: “You have to meal prep. It’s life-changing.” That’s what they say, I wouldn’t know. I’ve dabbled in the meal prep world, buying those cute little containers and imagining myself as the kind of person who spends Sundays chopping vegetables and perfectly portioning out quinoa. But let’s be real—by Tuesday, I’ve forgotten all about those neatly prepped meals, and I’m standing in front of the fridge at 10 p.m. eating peanut butter straight from the jar. Life-changing, they say? Maybe for some. I wouldn’t know.

And don’t even get me started on meditation. “Meditation will bring you inner peace,” they say. That’s what they say. I wouldn’t know. Every time I try to meditate, my brain does the exact opposite of quiet down. Instead of finding peace, I’m suddenly running through every mistake I’ve ever made, all the random to-dos I’ve forgotten, and mentally drafting emails I’ll probably never send. How anyone gets through ten minutes of stillness without spiraling into the existential abyss is beyond me. Inner peace? That’s what they say, I wouldn’t know.

Then there’s the latest craze—cold plunges. “It resets your body and boosts your energy!” they say. Uh-huh. That’s what they say. I wouldn’t know. I can barely handle a mildly cold shower, let alone willingly throw myself into an ice bath like I’m training for some kind of polar bear Olympics. I’ll stick to my hot showers, thanks. Boosted energy and a reset body? That’s what they say. I wouldn’t know.

It’s funny how many things we accept as universal truths because “they say” it, even though half the time we have no clue what it’s actually like. I’ve become an expert at nodding along when people talk about things I’ve never tried or, let’s be real, things I’ve tried and failed miserably at. And maybe that’s okay. Not everything is for everyone, right?

So here I am, watching people rave about things that supposedly change lives—whether it’s green smoothies, 5 a.m. wake-up calls, or the magic of Marie Kondo—and thinking, That’s what they say. I wouldn’t know. And honestly? I’m fine with that. Because somewhere out there, someone’s probably looking at my Coke Zero obsession or my love of walking barefoot in the house and thinking, “That’s what she says. I wouldn’t know.”