"That's so unlike you"

Why do people say that to me? Why do I say that to other people? A person displays certain characteristics of themselves a little at a time to different people, so how can one person really entirely know what another person is capable of? It's a shame to underestimate people because you don't "expect" them to do something, but it's worst to put someone into a fixed sort-of formula, saying that certain behaviors are uncharacteristic of them. When you're genuinely worried about someone behaving strangely because something is at stake, then I think it's completely justified to go in and question their strange behavior. But by saying "that's so unlike you," to people, you're essentially saying that they're only allowed to do things and act a certain way. There's no room for growth or any type of change.

If you haven't seen me or talked to me in a while, how can you say whether or not something is "like me"? I'm a human being. I change with time and my personality and behaviors cannot remain the same after experiencing... well, life. It's hella annoying for people to put me into a specific category and think that I'm not capable of anything outside of that "box," so to speak.

Sometimes, I'm afraid to try new things and be adventerous because people expect certain things from me. Although previous behaviors are a good indicator of how one will behave in the future, it's not absolute. Don't be so surprised when I try something new. Actually, I'm pretty unsatisfied with my current situation, so you should damn right expect me to try new things.

Basically, just stop labeling me. I'll try to stop doing that with you guys, too.