“If you can’t love yourself how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?”

I read Ru’s quote like this — relationships don’t work unless you love yourself too. RuPaul reminds us of the importance of self-confidence and self-belief. Testers need to trust their abilities and judgment to effectively identify and report defects, also to instil trust in what they are talking about. A lack of confidence can lead to hesitation, mis-aligned risk storming and missed issues.

“We’re all born naked and the rest is drag.”

According to Ru, drag has very little to do with someone assigned something. Drag is whatever we adapt to in life, be it to fit in or stand out. To Rupaul, drag is everything. Drag is anytime. We put on an outfit and choose how to present ourselves to the world. We should see this as a reminder — that the foundation of software testing is not just the code. Regardless of the language, the tools or methodologies used, the ultimate goal is to ensure the quality and value of the underlying product.

“When you become the image of your own imagination, it’s the most powerful thing you could ever do.”

Yes, curiosity.

Yes creativity!

Drag can be anything. Whatever you’ve always dreamed for yourself, when you make it a reality, that is a personal victory. This highlights to me the importance of creativity and innovation in testing. By thinking outside the box and considering unexpected scenarios, testers can uncover defects that might otherwise be missed. When was the last time you used or updated your ‘Personas’?

“I feel like you’re being sabotaged by your inner saboteur.”

Sometimes we’re our own worst enemy. The challenges of overcoming biases and assumptions during testing can be hard, and we can sabotage our own teams software delivery. It’s essential to be aware of personal biases and to actively seek out alternative perspectives.

“What it says on your driver’s license isn’t really who you are — you are something much greater than that.”

Is it the certification that defines you — or what you learned along the way? You can be whoever and whatever you want to be. Don’t let labels , job titles or certifications define you or hold you back from achieving your career or learning goals. You can achieve anything and not have a piece of paper or digital image to show your success is authentic.

Software testing is also about more than just following a script or a certain path. Testers should be adaptable and able to think critically to assess the quality of the product from different angles.

“The overall commentary on what I’m doing is saying, ‘Hey look! I get to create whatever persona I want to, and it’s all up to me. And the truth is, we are all basically the universe — pretending to be humans for a brief moment of time.’”

Testing is a creative process!! Life is too short to be caught up or live as someone you don’t want to be. Not one of us knows what we’re doing. We’re all exploring as we go, just as everyone before us has done. So why not apply that to work? Testers have the opportunity to explore different scenarios and perspectives to uncover defects — how great is that?

“Fulfillment isn’t found over the rainbow — it’s found in the here and now. Today I define success by the fluidity with which I transcend emotional land mines and choose joy and gratitude instead.”

I know it’s hard out there for alot of us with quality mindsets and the people who are testers at heart. We are all living here for just a moment of expression in the universe. So we might as well make the most of that moment and shine.

Gratitude is scientifically proven to increase happiness. It’s important to find satisfaction in the day-to-day work of testing. By focusing on the positive aspects of the job, remembering to thank your collaborators, people that you learn from or who inspire you — we testers can maintain a healthy and productive mindset and career.

“The key to navigating this life — don’t take it too seriously. That’s when the party begins.”

Stop letting people tell you — that you have imposter syndrome. Life is so short, it’s meant to be celebrated, so commit to enjoying it. While it’s important to take testing seriously in most instances, it’s also essential to maintain a sense of humour and proportion. A lighthearted approach and great planning can help to alleviate stress and improve your problem-solving abilities. Can you make learning or testing fun, do you have a community of practice or community that can support you?

“It’s very easy to look at the world and think, this is all so cruel and so mean. It’s important to not become bitter from it.”

Testing can be challenging, but it’s important to maintain a positive attitude and avoid becoming discouraged. The tech world can be harsh and also living in a time where there is so much hate in the world. But we can’t let that get us down. Don’t give the “haters” your time, keep focusing on yourself and always be proud of who you are!

“You know, the matrix says, ‘Pick an identity and stick with it. Because I want to sell you some beer and shampoo and I need you to stick with what you are so I’ll know how to market it to you.’ Drag is the opposite. Drag says, ‘Identity is a joke.’”

We’re born naked, the rest is drag. Instead of picking just one identity and having that define you, drag tells you identity is flexible, fun, and you can be whoever you want to be, some times it takes practice. So give yourself a reminder that testing should be about exploring different perspectives and challenging assumptions. You can focus on Security testing one sprint, QTR or year, then change your focus to Performance testing and that’s ok! It’s important to avoid becoming too rigid in our thinking or only following what certain people prescribe.

I'm a Staff Quality Engineer at heart, awesome woman in tech, UN Women Delegate and I believe in the value of curiosity and empathy in testing. I do all my own stunts, love food, travel, my friends, family, music and art.

Comments are welcome but please note I am neurodiverse, dyslexic and just having fun sharing what I know. Thank's for reading yall!