Is that a bald spot, Audra?

Tonight you get a funny story. At least I think it's a funny story even though it is at my own expense. That's OK though because I'm in a good mood. Today was attitude adjustment day (either you know what that is because you actually know me, or you can probably figure it out). I really do love attitude adjustment days. There is nothing like bawling your eyes out, talking out your problems and following it all up with a caramel light frappachino from Starbucks to put you in a good mood.

Every body has their own nervous habit. My dad bites his fingernails (more accurately chews his fingers when the nails are gone), my mom shakes her foot like my grandmother does, a co-worker of mine whistles (I don't think she realizes she whistles, but maybe she does). Most nervous habits are ones you never realize you do until someone points them out to you. I didn't realize mine until about 5 years ago when a co-worker pointed it out to me.

Most females twirl and twist their hair as a sign of flirting. And they do it on purpose. Not me though. I go to town with my left hand taking a piece of hair on the top of my head near the back. And I don't do it to try to attract a man. I do it when I am stressed and do it totally unintentionally.

Back several years ago, I was sitting at my desk, reading something on my computer screen when my office mate Bree looked at me and says, "Aught-o, you're stressed..."

"Huh?"

"Yeah, you're stressed out, you're playing with your hair."

"What?"

"You always mess with your hair when you're stressed."

Well, that was news to me. I never realized it before and I rarely have thought about it since. I do from time to time catch myself though. today was one of those days.

This morning I caught myself, twirl, twirl, twirling away. I was in the car driving up to Dallas, twist, twist, twisting round and round. I consciously thought about it while I was waiting for my appointment realizing how I had done it more today than usual, at least I noticed it more than usual.

So, then, I'm talk, talk, talking away, and I realize...I'm doing it again. I promptly stop twisting, twirling, tangling this piece of hair and stop what I'm saying. "I'm sorry, a co-worker once pointed out to me that I play with my hair when I'm stressed, and I was just doing it," I blurt while trying to decide if I'm going to physically sit on my hand to quit doing it.

"Yeah, you were, but that's OK, go ahead. You're in a safe place."

"Uh, no, not now that I realize I'm doing the stupid mess with my hair thing. It just drives me nuts to know that I was doing it."

I didn't really think about it at the time, but good grief, if it had been any other situation or any other guy, I would have gotten a weird look and been told, "I'm really not that into you." Thank goodness for psychologically trained professionals.

I don't remember the last time I talked to Bree, but I had to call her and tell her that I thought about her today. "Oh yeah, you definitely do that as a nervous habit," she confirms.

Jenny decided that she must be a positive, calming person in my life because she's never seen me do it. However, she did wonder if I ever did it around a guy we once knew who stressed me out. And if so, what did he think? Thanks Jenny.

If any of you ever see me start the, you may want to steer clear. Well, I'm not usually hostile when I do it, but at least don't tell me I have a bald spot where I've twirled my hair out.

Comments

Mimi N said…
See, this is why you got the award I gave you! You're fantastic!

~Mimi...the nail (finger) chewer!
kalea_kane said…
You are just adorable. At least someone figured out your stress habit. I wonder what mine is?

Kelly
Audra Jennings said…
I usually don't feel an urge to play with my hair because I just do it, but I had to fight it Friday night.