Anxiety Called—She’s Not Mad, Just Disappointed
She also ruined my makeup
Our next-door neighbors invited us over last weekend, stuffed us with delicious food, and even handed us leftovers on the way out like saints. Now, where I’m from, you don’t just return someone’s dish clean—you return it with food, like a mini edible thank-you card.
I tossed this question into a group chat and it was followed by a barrage of confused emojis and one “wait, what? So apparently this isn’t a shared human experience?
I ended up sending the dish back empty, against every fiber of my upbringing. But now I have to ask, do any of you do this? Was this just a Lebanese thing?
And what were the unspoken social norms in your house? I love collecting these like weird little etiquette Pokémon. I’m nosy and fascinated.
I should’ve skipped therapy this week and just done this.
Earlier this week I asked you guys (on Instagram) for the most impactful thing a therapist has ever said or asked you. Below are a few highlights….
Are you being mean, or are you just not actively making them comfortable?
Do you want to be right or do you want to have peace?
What you’re not changing, you’re choosing.
Would you talk to a friend the same way you talk to yourself?
Don’t choose a familiar hell over an unfamiliar heaven.
Instead of saying you don’t have time, say this isn’t my priority.
If you wouldn’t ask a snake why it bit you, why would you ask a person why they betrayed you?
So you feel like they’re pushing your buttons? Why do you keep giving them the remote?
Sometimes saying no to someone else is saying yes to you.
Some people talk to you in their free time, and some people free their time to talk to you.
(sharing mine below)
This girl on TikTok (@cayladeregis) told people in lieu of gifts, she wanted them to bring a piece of gossip to her party. LOL…Kinda bummed I wasn’t invited.
(In order from left to right)
The Book of Charlie: Just started this based on a recommendation from one of you. It’s advice from a 109-year-old man.
Modern Family: My daughter started watching this on Hulu and I forgot how good it was.
Dr. Becky on Andrew Huberman podcast: Highly recommend this 8-minute clip on guilt and shame. Really thought provoking, and also feeds into the conversation I get into below.
My therapist dropped a bombshell question on me this week.