#socialprocessing

TMW: You’re feeling really good about something, and start to initiate an action to share that feeling on social media... ...but then you wonder if people will think that you’re bragging... which could make them interpret your post as evidence for the idea that you’re ‘full of yourself’... which could make them not like you... And then the familiar inner dialogue kicks into high gear: “...they probably already don’t *really like you anyway... I mean, seriously, what were you thinking? Of course you can’t post that. What are you trying to do; turn people off to the idea of even tolerating you? You’ll just end up feeling even more alone in the world...” But, then, somehow, you shut down the monologue, and will your way through the moment of overwhelming self doubt and anxiety. You put down the phone, and power up the laptop, and write about the feeling anyway; just on a different platform... One that feels less judgemental. One which, through the power of anonymous-style posting, is at the very least a place where any resulting expressions of judgement won’t end up being so personally damaging...

[ What is it that I’m feeling really good about, by the way?

“Of course. Let me see... Ah.”

Though the strange city of humans was very exciting - and he enjoyed meeting and befriending so many new people each day - the fact was, that he’d only begun to notice: there weren’t many other dogs like him here, were there? No, there were colorful horses - some even with wings, which was amazing, talking animals that stood on their hind legs like humans all the time - but he had yet to see a single other dog.

On one paw, he was very glad the other doggies didn’t have to worry about being taken away from their master or mistress! On the other, he wished he had another dog to talk to and maybe be friends with, too. Being friends with lots of different creatures - human or fellow dogs - was super important!!

The loud clanking of footsteps alerted him, though, and he blinked - wait. That had sounded like not two feet walking, but more? Oh! Maybe it was a dog friend! To play with! The loud clanking was kind of scary, though - it reminded him of that scary submarine. So he followed the noise cautiously, a little more carefully than usual. He didn’t want it to be a trap like that submarine had been after all!

Though, he wasn’t doing a very good job of keeping the following of the noise subtle, given he was outright trying to sneak and drawing more attention to himself because usually dogs didn’t ‘sneak’ anywhere.

    --- [ ♡ ] HE WAITS PATIENTLY IN one of his numerous beanbags, the imprint he leaves awkward, yet unnoticed-- attention is more worth putting into pacing around and checking the time than wondering what shape he leaves. (Spoilers: It’s a box.) The doorbell rings and he rushes to the door, opening it full, with a prepared refreshment already in hand.

— [ $ ] — ❝Been a while since I've seen someone like you~❞

send me a “✎” and ill draw your muse ( @socialprocessing )