Nosey Neighbor
So, sometimes I have trouble walking. Especially at night, after a really hard day. My legs and hips just do not want to do what legs and hips are meant to do. It's painful, but hey, the dog needs a walk, right? And there's no one else who can do it then, so I get up and I shuffle around the block. It's not that big a deal, really. I cheer myself up by humming "everyday I'm shufflin" under my breath over and over.
BUT, I have this neighbor, who is sometimes out on her porch, or watering her lawn, or whatever- just outside enjoying the lovely summer weather in the evenings.
So, I came shuffling around the corner last Friday (really bad pain day, I seriously was having a rough time of it that night. Even Party Rock Anthem just wasn't cutting it). And cue the nosey questions.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, really, just a rough day."
"Are you having trouble walking."
Really, lady? "Just a little, it's not a big deal."
And so on- her questioning, me not answering much.
I duck inside as quick as possible (ha-ha!). But now she's always asking me why I have trouble walking sometimes. And I really, really don't want to get into it with her.
I don't mind when other people feel a need to list all of their medical issues and complaints when talking to me. I can sit and listen quietly, that's fine. I get that for some people, coping involves verbal processing. However, I don't want to share. The easiest way for me to cope with my own pain, is to just accept it and move on without a lot of discussion. Even in my own journal, I pretty much just put "having a bad pain day, hoping it will pass soon." Once in a great while I'll talk about the muscle spasms, the burning pain under my skin, the joint creaks and pops, etc. But for the most part, who cares about the details? I'm always in pain to one extent or another, and I probably always will be.
And anyway, why would you relentlessly pry into someone else's private matters? Trust me, I am NOT shuffling or wincing with every limping step as a fishing measure for your concern.
Jeez.
/end rant.
Thanks for listening.
x-posted
BUT, I have this neighbor, who is sometimes out on her porch, or watering her lawn, or whatever- just outside enjoying the lovely summer weather in the evenings.
So, I came shuffling around the corner last Friday (really bad pain day, I seriously was having a rough time of it that night. Even Party Rock Anthem just wasn't cutting it). And cue the nosey questions.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, really, just a rough day."
"Are you having trouble walking."
Really, lady? "Just a little, it's not a big deal."
And so on- her questioning, me not answering much.
I duck inside as quick as possible (ha-ha!). But now she's always asking me why I have trouble walking sometimes. And I really, really don't want to get into it with her.
I don't mind when other people feel a need to list all of their medical issues and complaints when talking to me. I can sit and listen quietly, that's fine. I get that for some people, coping involves verbal processing. However, I don't want to share. The easiest way for me to cope with my own pain, is to just accept it and move on without a lot of discussion. Even in my own journal, I pretty much just put "having a bad pain day, hoping it will pass soon." Once in a great while I'll talk about the muscle spasms, the burning pain under my skin, the joint creaks and pops, etc. But for the most part, who cares about the details? I'm always in pain to one extent or another, and I probably always will be.
And anyway, why would you relentlessly pry into someone else's private matters? Trust me, I am NOT shuffling or wincing with every limping step as a fishing measure for your concern.
Jeez.
/end rant.
Thanks for listening.
x-posted