I do not understand the tendency that I see for people to begin to worry about that upon which they have no control. The angst that people feel and the extra anxiety in the world seem to have mixed into the perfect storm for drama.
It drives me nuts. In some of the groups I have on Facebook, the same themes come up over and over again. People make their opinions known and try to guess the decisions that another group of people will make. And they agonize over something that they are not going to have control over.
Why?
Why is our tendency to create these drama filled and tense moments? Why can’t we spend our energy creating beautiful things and appreciating the world? I am not talking all gumdrops, lollipops, and unicorns (although I probably would like a page like that). I would love it if people would not start debates or ask questions that are obviously baiting people. They will just end up in a bunch of people giving opinions and making guesses.
This has especially been happening with some teacher groups. We are still virtual and the school board needs to decide about in-person still. The questions that people ask and the ridiculous rehashing of the same thing over and over again drives me crazy. It is what it is, and agonizing about it before you even know there is something to worry about seems like a colossal waste of energy.
Now, excuse me while I go create that page about unicorns, lollipops, and rainbows.
This post is a part of the 14th annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. After a few years away, I am challenging myself to write every day in March this year, along with an amazing community of other bloggers. You can find our writing linked up on the Two Writing Teachers blog.
You are so right! People do just try to bait others into arguing. What really makes me mad is when I get caught up in reading all the hateful and nonsensical comments. Let me know where to find your rainbows, lollipops, and unicorns – sounds wonderful!
Yup! Choose your tribe wisely. I’ve started to block and just not check posts for the exact reason. If you make that lollipop post let me know.
Unicorns, lollipops, and rainbows would do the world a whole lot of good. I want to live in a world with more of those. Well maybe jelly beans instead of lollipops, but no need to stress, candy is grand. What bold, beautiful statements you make in your post. All are so very true!
For many, It is an extremely difficult task to not let the mind wander to the negative or the possibilities of what could happen. I won’t say that people are inherently Worry Worts, but some don’t know what to do with themselves if they aren’t constantly expressing their two cents. Try your hardest to realize that if they want to waste their energy, so be it, but they are not going to drag “me” down.
“The Suspense Is Terrible. I Hope It’ll Last.” – Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder, not that Johnny Depp Crap. lol)
Stay positive, friend!
This was my New Year’s resolution, to not over think things that I don’t control. I have to say, it has been liberating. We have had a number of school changes this year and prior to January I ready every teacher page making assumptions on what might happen. It literally weighed me down (I gained about 25 pounds in quarantine). I decided in January, I am not going to do that and use the time to work out, even though I hate exercising – I can control it and it gives ME positive outcomes. March 10 and I am down 30 pounds and don’t stress the changes we can’t control, I am trying to just embrace them. Thank you for your post. Your perspective reminds me how adversely impacted we can be from unhealthy scrolling!
I so agree, which is why I have really limited my social media time. I just can’t take it anymore! I’d be there on your lollipop, rainbow, and unicorn page!
I wonder like you do if I should be even reading any of these posts. I try not to join in and almost never though although I am intrigued by the times when I sometimes join in. Thanks for thinking about this. Your writing out in the world is powerful.
Sometimes I think these writer groups ARE the unicorns, rainbows and lollipop groups of the world. We can express our frustration, hurt, sadness but also our joys. Everyone comments with encouragement. I think we’ve already found our group it’s called “slice of life” 🙂