I have a tendency to over analyze every interaction I have with people. I always worry that I don't come off as I intend (which I'm pretty sure does occur at least 85% of the time...) and I frequently stew for days over stupid things that somehow escape my mouth. Guilt, sadly, has been one of my longest and most faithful of companions. We know each other well.
As I sat pondering my latest social blunder, I racked my brain for a way to keep myself from saying dumb/insensitive things to people so often. Since simply never talking to anyone ever again seemed a (*sometimes*) appealing, though impossible and utterly ridiculous answer, I knew I had to come up with something better. :)
And then it hit me, straight from Pavlov the psychologist himself, app shock therapy. Okay, I know it sounds weird, but let's consider the possibilities together. Anna walks up to a friend/family member/husband/daughter/acquaintance/grocery store clerk in a bad mood. Instead of allowing her calm, more rational self to come out and socialize, her bad mood completely takes over and she gears up to say something terrible that will haunt her for days.
And instantly, *shock.* No dumb words; no regret.
Come on, doesn't it sound just a little bit appealing? :) It could quite possibly "condition" the crankiness right out of me! And it's not like the shock would even have to be that strong. Just a small, imperceptible jolt that could alert me that I was heading into "potential-guilt-for-days" zone and nip it right in the bud. The possibilities are endless, really. You could buy the shock therapy app catered to your very own weaknesses and insecurities.
I'd buy it. :)
5 comments:
You need to read "The Alliance" by Gerald Lund. It has interesting insight to your idea.
I'd buy one too. I just had one of those moments at the grocery store the other day. They shouldn't send newpaper people to grocery stores to hound people about buying (or not buying) a subscription.
I like the idea of the shocks starting out mild as I begin to think about saying something dumb, then getting progressively stronger as I open my mouth, then coming out with one big JOLT after the dumb thing escapes my lips. If I associated the whole Ellie-says-a-dumb/insensitive-thing with instant physical pain, it might help. My after-conversation guilt is not yet doing the trick. The idea's a moneymaker, Anna! :-)
Wow. There is now no doubt that you were meant for Spencer. You guys are identical nerds! This is hilarious.
You are funny! I have a hard time imagining you saying something rude or offensive though :)
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