Comments on: my own particular brand of weirdness: 41/365 https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2015/02/my-own-particular-brand-of-weirdness-41365/ Catching Days Thu, 23 Apr 2015 00:33:26 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 By: cynthia https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2015/02/my-own-particular-brand-of-weirdness-41365/#comment-5806 Thu, 23 Apr 2015 00:33:26 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=15203#comment-5806 In reply to Claire Guyton.

Claire, YOU are so articulate. I think this is true, that I’ve allowed a good quality–the wish always to be evenhanded–to trump my own need (and right) to determine what I believe about any given question/issue. And because I’m a private person, I’ve avoided social situations whenever I could, especially in recent years when I feel less of an obligation to attend things, plus the introvert thing–social situations drain the heck out of me, so I’m not getting any practice… well done. Thank you.

]]> By: Claire Guyton https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2015/02/my-own-particular-brand-of-weirdness-41365/#comment-5805 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 00:58:05 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=15203#comment-5805 Do you fear expressing opinions/thoughts that can be attacked or mocked? Do you fear expressing half-cooked opinions/thoughts that don’t accurately represent what you really think/believe? Do you fear that you might invite tension unless you’re sure to demonstrate respect for all points of view? I have always appreciated your ability to hear and sympathize whoever happens to be making a case in that moment. I wonder if you’ve allowed a good quality–the wish always to be evenhanded–to trump your own need (and right) to determine what you believe about any given question/issue. I have certainly backed up (a little) on a very strongly held, carefully formulated, thoughtful opinion on some issue or other merely b/c a friend disagrees, and I don’t want to highlight that disagreement lest it feel like disrespect.

My other thought is whether you’re always fully distinguishing the meaning of “alone” vs. “private.” Being alone for long periods will erode your social skills, so wanting to express yourself in conversation might be more challenging at times simply b/c you’re not getting enough practice, and might have little or nothing to do with an instinct to keep your business to yourself. ???

]]> By: cynthia https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2015/02/my-own-particular-brand-of-weirdness-41365/#comment-5804 Fri, 06 Mar 2015 19:46:55 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=15203#comment-5804 From Colm Toibin’s Nora Webster: Nora says, “I don’t like people knowing my business.” (p. 158) No wonder I liked this book.

]]> By: cynthia https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2015/02/my-own-particular-brand-of-weirdness-41365/#comment-5803 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 01:01:15 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=15203#comment-5803 In reply to Mary.

: )

]]> By: Mary https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2015/02/my-own-particular-brand-of-weirdness-41365/#comment-5802 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 19:16:22 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=15203#comment-5802 In reply to cynthia.

I prefer to think of myself as unique and special. 🙂

]]> By: writersideup https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2015/02/my-own-particular-brand-of-weirdness-41365/#comment-5801 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 03:48:52 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=15203#comment-5801 In reply to cynthia.

Ah, now I get it! And I’m glad it’s working! 😀

]]> By: cynthia https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2015/02/my-own-particular-brand-of-weirdness-41365/#comment-5800 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 02:59:36 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=15203#comment-5800 In reply to writersideup.

Donna, the problem is that I got so used to being private and so comfortable with it that I was losing a sense of who I was. I began to realize this over the last couple of years. I was becoming less and less able to talk about myself when I did want to and unable to say anything about myself that wasn’t a fact or a figure. With this project, I’m trying to do a kind of reset. And it seems to be working. Thanks, as always, for sharing in the conversation : )

]]> By: cynthia https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2015/02/my-own-particular-brand-of-weirdness-41365/#comment-5799 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 01:24:02 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=15203#comment-5799 In reply to helena sorensen.

yes, they are : )

]]> By: writersideup https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2015/02/my-own-particular-brand-of-weirdness-41365/#comment-5798 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 01:06:26 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=15203#comment-5798 To me, Cythia, if you being a private person isn’t hurting anyone, including yourself, or any important relationship, I wouldn’t think it’s an issue. Is it because you feel you shouldn’t be as private? Or is there a part of you that really wants to be more open?

I have a cousin who actually doesn’t know when TO be private. A lesson he should’ve learned by now, I think. I’m a mix of both, I think, though I’m not excessively private. Only with things that really are no one else’s business and are better kept that way. Other than that, I’m a pretty open book except, of course, as I think I voiced once before—I stay away from certain subjects online.

]]> By: cynthia https://www.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2015/02/my-own-particular-brand-of-weirdness-41365/#comment-5797 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 00:40:44 +0000 http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/?p=15203#comment-5797 In reply to Sigrun.

Sigrun, I’ve read that description on your blog before. I love reading your blog. I do think you succeed in the deeply personal, but it doesn’t really seem anonymous to me. Do you feel anonymous? Making my own thoughts visible to me is one of the reasons I write too. And especially recently with this project, I’ve experienced the gift of readers’ thoughts and comments. Many thanks for this one.

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