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Friday, May 03, 2013

Things That Make Me Uncomfortable

Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable

Conflict- Conflict has always made me super uncomfortable.  It doesn't make a difference if I am involved in the conflict or not- I always get super uncomfortable.  It must be the middle child in me :-)  I'm a people-pleaser and a peace maker.  When people around me are having some sort of conflict, my instinct is to either escape/avoid the situation all together (that whole flight instinct) or to do something to try and make the conflict stop and the people happy or at least peaceful again.  I know it's totally not healthy to be uncomfortable with conflict and confrontation, but I just can't seem to lose this habit.  I have gotten a little better over the years, especially in work and professional situations, but it is still something I need to work on... or just continue to avoid :-)

Close Talkers- you know who I mean.  That person who doesn't get that concept of personal space- especially during conversation.  It gives me the creeps just thinking about it. 

Oversharing- Over the phone, in person, social media, or in public places- I get really uncomfortable when people overshare personal information.  It's a little like the concept of personal space I guess... an oversharer makes me feel like they're somehow invading my personal space.  But above all else, often times when people overshare, it makes me feel embarassed for that person.  And I hate having to feel embarassed for someone else. 

Speaking Spanish- I took Spanish classes all through elementary and high school and then went on to major in Spanish in college.  I even studied abroad in Spain and lived with a Spanish speaking family.  I think it's pretty safe to say that I was pretty darn close to being fluent. However, I feel like I have "lost" so much of my Spanish, and now I hate that I feel super uncomfortable and unconfident speaking Spanish.  I get flustered and embarassed now.  I can bust it out when I need it (speaking to students or students' parents, translating a note to send home to parents, eavesdropping on unsuspecting people in public :-), etc.), but it's more effort than it used to be.  I think my frustration is mostly just that I realize how rusty I am now compared to where I once was.  I notice that my listening and reading skills are still pretty strong- it's just the speaking part where I now get super uncomfortable.  I would be so disappointed if I really did "lose" my Spanish, so I really do need to make an effort to practice more often.  Too bad those opportunities are few and far between in Australia...

Catch up with my "Blog Every Day in May" here:
Day 1
Day 2

10 comments:

  1. Oh dang, yeah, I don't do Spanish speaking too well. I pretend I can understand, but not so much. ;) Following you now from this crazy challenge we're on together!

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    1. It's so frustrating for me since I KNOW how much better I used to be. Sigh... Heading over to check out your blog now! Glad to have you along!

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  2. Girl, teach me. I can barely speak English on a good day.

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    1. Haha! Sometimes I feel that way, too :-)

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  3. Haha i hate close talkers! Have you seen that Seinfeld episode?

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  4. Haha, the first thing on my list was confrontation! Close talkers is a goood one too!

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    1. Confrontation/conflict go hand in hand for me. I wish they didn't make me uncomfortable, but they SO do!

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  5. I also studied in Spain -- Granada! Where were you?? I just started a flamenco class here in Peru and it's taking me back haha

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    1. I studied in Granada, too! It is the BEST! Did you study at Centro de Lenguas Modernas? Please tell me you visited the crazy cave bar Cambodio?! Gosh I miss it!

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