7 things that make me uncomfortable.
1. Watching Other People Lie
It’s uncomfortable enough when I am the one who has to fib my way through something, but I absolutely cannot stand by and watch you lie about something without feeling totally uncomfortable. God forbid the person you are lying to turns to ask me to back up your story. Just kill me already.
2. Talking to Adults
Let’s make this clear right now…I am not an adult. I don’t know what happened. On the outside I kept growing into what looks like an adult, but on the inside I’m 100% not an adult. It’s a medical mystery. When I talk to other adults I have to act like I’m one of them. I have to be concerned and I have to have good manners. I need to ask them about themselves and I need to remember what they say back to me so that the next time I see them I can seem like I remember who they are. All of this acting like an adult is terribly exhausting and the thought that they can see right through my facade is extremely uncomfortable. Worse yet is if I come across as rude when in reality I’m just trying to hide the fact that I am still a small, very immature child.
3. Saying No
I like to be a helpful team player so when I’m approached with an “opportunity” at work or for volunteer help or for a favor or even for a fun activity outside of my box…I rarely say no. And I always regret not saying no. This is why you might find me getting ready to head out for a night of Bunko with parents I hardly know from my kids school. It’s why you will see me hosting a social media presentation at the local dentist’s office. The horrible thing about not being able to say no is that the discomfort I feel about turning a person down is then multiplied by the discomfort that occurs when I actually have to follow through with the thing I couldn’t say no to.
4. Live Video
You would think that since I love creating video content on YouTube, going Live with video would be a piece of cake. It’s not. I have been asked to go Live a few times for work-related content and the first two times I did it and almost died. The days leading up to the Live video moment were stressful and anxiety-ridden. I was so terrified that nobody would tune in that I actually reached out to family and friends to ask them be there so that I would have somebody to respond to. The third time my job asked me to go Live, I did something unprecedented…I said no. THAT’S how much I hate going Live. I was willing to be uncomfortable enough to say no in order to save myself from the discomfort of that Live video. I believe my exact response was, “I don’t think that’s a good idea and please please please don’t make me.”
5. Watching other people Discipline their Kids
I don’t mind a quick, “Johnny, you need to share, let Sara have a turn.” I don’t even mind a “Johnny! Sara is crying because you took the toy from her. Now hand it back and tell her you’re sorry!” The part that makes me uncomfortable is when the parent’s response is over the top. Sometimes I don’t think Johnny is doing something that is really all that bad, but the parent is like “JOHNNY NO!” and you just have to wait for Johnny to do the right thing while simultaneously feeling sorry for him. That’s uncomfortable. If the parent counts down I’m particularly nervous…is the party over if Johnny does not pull it together by the end of the countdown. Do we all need to go home?
6. Disagreeing With You
Sometimes a friend is really hot and bothered about something or they are annoyed with a mutual friend and need to vent. Maybe they assume you feel the same way so it is safe to vent to you. That moment when it’s your turn to speak and you realize you need to maybe delicately take the opposing side in a way that will hopefully help them see a different perspective without sounding like you’re siding against them…that’s uncomfortable. Especially if they then get upset at you for taking the other side.
7. Kids With Dogs
I feel like there is not a dog that is above biting a child. Even I feel like biting a child from time to time, but at least I have the words I need to redirect them. Dogs just have to take it. So when I see pictures of babies set up next to their furry family members or videos of kids climbing on top of an animal that “would never” hurt them…I’m uncomfortable. Because even though you know your dog and you trust it. I still think it would bite your kid and…well…see #6 above.
What makes YOU uncomfortable?
Now it’s your turn!
Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back to add your name to the link list below. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!
The Prompts:
1. Write a poem, post, or story inspired by the word: cram.
2. Tell us about something you collect.
3. Write about the last time you visited the ocean.
4. The meaning of your name..does it suit you?
5. List 7 things that make you uncomfortable.
John Holton says
Being a 13-year-old with 50 years’ experience, I understand #2 completely. We don’t go to parties, in part because neither one of us can make grownup small talk. Mary just doesn’t have the patience for it, and I tend to say wildly inappropriate things to the wrong people. #3 and #6, I’m the same way.
So, what’s the kiten’s name? I have a penchant for black cats (see https://thesoundofonehandtyping.com/2017/11/02/writers-workshop-sherman-toby-and-jasmine/), and he’s a real cutie….
Astrid says
I can totally relate to feeling uncomfortable when seeing parents discipline their children. I don’t have kids myself, particularly because I would lose my temper with them too quickly and don’t want to repeat the cycle of trauma I endured myself. However, for this same reason, I feel triggered when parents discipline their children (unless it’s in a gentle way, of course).
Kimberly says
I think we could probably truly be friends – did this just get creepy – YUP – because all of this also makes me feel uncomfortable.
Even telling you we could be friends. But I’m an introvert so we would just stay home.
Except 7.
I love dogs.
OK so I disagreed. But it’s cool.
I don’t trust all dogs. There I said it.
And I can’t say no. Son of a b….
I can’t talk to adults except this year has made me hella hard and I have put child psychiatrists, therapists, social workers, teachers, and other adulty adults to work and I am kind of shocked that I can do that. I did not get paid. Dammit.
Kim says
All these things make me pretty uncomfortable, too. Especially watching people lie, and watching other people discipline their children.
I am way, way late to the game. It’s that time of year again in retail and there isn’t a lot of downtime. But hey…I showed up! And with a sweet vintage purse collection, to boot.