Chuck says I’m always starting 💩. An assertion I maintain is offensive and blatantly false. 😵 I am NOT always starting 💩! What I am always doing, is sitting on yellow, waiting for OTHER people to start 💩. 💁🏻‍♀️ #TeamDefense

We went shopping yesterday. I loathe shopping. I prefer to do it online, because… people. 😑 But I’ve been suffering through pain attacks from my trigeminal neuralgia this week and apparently, it would do me some good to get out of the house. 🙄 Plus, he lured me out by offering to go shopping for craft supplies. 🤩 Just imagine a cartoon mouse being dragged by the scent of cheese. 🪤

A while ago, I saw a TikTok I found hilarious in which the guy said something along the lines of next time someone gives you a hard time about wearing a mask, take it off and tell them you’re relieved to finally meet someone who doesn’t care that you’ve got Covid. It’s been living rent-free in my head for a few months. 😏 Fortunately, I’ve only encountered kind people who are either wearing their own mask or minding their own business… until yesterday. 🙃

We’d gone to Joann without incident, but I wasn’t able to find everything I wanted. So we headed to Hobby Lobby. And that’s where I made a fRiEnD. 👀 It wasn’t all that busy and I noticed this woman who seemed to be following me. 🤨 {We’ve talked about my trust issues bordering on paranoia, so I never call people out. 😝} But as I traveled to the back corner of the store, leaving Chuck an aisle or 2 back, my new friend continued to follow me. She kept staring at me. 😯 She penetrated my personal bubble, 😳 for which I’ve been a proponent since waaaay before social distancing became cool. 😱 Then, she proceeded to point her talons at my face and demand, “Why do you wear that?”

I wear a sarcastic cat mask, {see below} so it occasionally draws attention. 😸 And, being an alum of the School of Awkward, I realize that not everyone is super smooth in social situations. Feeling relieved that she was only intrigued by my cat mask, I smiled and explained that I love cats and my mask helps me express that. 😁

She was not satisfied. 🥸 “Why do you even wear a mask? YOU PEOPLE are the reason they keep bitching about this damned virus. If YOU PEOPLE are scared, you need to stay home so the rest of us can live life!” 😵‍💫

Shots fired! ❤️‍🔥

Trigger engaged! ⚠️

Prepare for fight 🥊 or flight.🏃‍♀️

YOU PEOPLE? Did this individual just call me a “you people?” 😤

Also… why is that one of the specific phrases that triggers me? Perhaps this warrants more self exploration. 🧐 I’ll add it to my list. 😉

But back to my adventure. I promise, you guys, I really try to be therapeutic in my communication. I try to remain calm and composed, at least on the outside. 🙈 I try to understand feelings behind statements, not just words. I try to be compassionate and empathetic, instead of emotional and defensive. It requires A LOT of conscious and intentional effort. 😓

But ya know what? I’m tired. I’m stressed out. I’m struggling. I take an exam every other week. I have empathy fatigue. And some days are just plain better than others. 😮‍💨

So, I chose violence. Not physically, but like verbal Kung fu. I usually take the high road, but occasionally I get altitude sickness and have to make a U-turn. 🤢 I’ll try again a different day. 🥴

Remembering my little TikTok video, I got really close to my aggressive friend, snatched my mask off, and said “Thank You! I’m so glad you’re not worried about me being positive for Covid. The doctor told me to quarantine for 2 weeks. But this is America and I’ll go out if I want! Everyone is gonna catch it eventually.” 🧐

She seemed troubled when she left me. 🙃 Chuck caught the last couple minutes and asked what I did. 😵 He said I have a problem and asked me why I’m always starting 💩. All I know is that I wanted to stay home. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some studying to do. Particularly in the therapeutic communication department. 🤐