I have discovered something rather amusing about people.

They can spend hours discussing a person they have never actually spoken to.

Very.

Here is the mistake you must avoid.

Do not spend your life answering a version of yourself that exists only in someone else’s imagination.

Then decide whether the opinion actually matters.

Is this person someone you trust? Someone who knows you? Someone whose judgment you would genuinely seek?

Or is it simply noise?

Of course you do.

Your ego would like to hold a courtroom hearing every time someone misunderstands you.

Then stop giving it the courtroom.

You do not have to correct every misunderstanding.

Sometimes the most powerful response is simply continuing to live according to what you know to be true.

Then be grateful you found out.

Keep the useful part. Leave the cruelty behind.