Monday, March 24, 2025

Why do I do this?

Every now and then I realize something about myself I hadn’t previously noticed. I suppose that happens with most people, except those who are totally unself-aware. (I checked: unself-aware is an acceptable antonym of self-aware.)

So, I had settled into bed last night, gotten the pillows and bedding adjusted to my liking, and was positioned comfortably, when I noticed I was lightly pinching the bridge of my nose, like this:

I knew I had done this many times before. Why? My nose, sinuses, and eyes were fine. So this wasn’t about pain, itchiness, or whatever. 

I let go of my nose and moved my hand. That felt wrong. I wasn’t as comfortable. My hand was just… hanging there. 

I repositioned my arm. Not quite right.

I repositioned my head. Nope.

I repositioned my torso. Mmmm, not right.

I ended up rearranging my entire body.

I wondered if my nose touching was linked back to a childhood comforting technique. Was this something I did after giving up thumb sucking? When I do this is it a sign of stress, anxiety, or something? Or is it simply a way to signal to my system it’s time to go into sleep mode? I’ll have to sleep on that.

3 comments:

  1. Research suggests having the time to notice is the first step. Unravelling can take the rest of your life, but may provide fascinating insights. We're all extraordinary individuals; how much is genetic, innate? You *are* ambidextrous.

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  2. I've always done something like that. I decided I was just connecting an electrical circuit. One or both hands had to be touching some skin to keep the flow going or maybe in charge mode. Usually, it is joined hands in some configuration.
    This explanation could seem 'out there' but I'll stick with that theory, for now, and so my mind doesn't dwell on that and can shift to the other gazillion things it cycles through before it is overtaken by sleep. Like when a body is damaged, why do people ask, "How did you hurt to yourself?" as if it was on your to do list. Not "How did you get hurt?". Why were we taught "I [broke, cut, tore,] my (insert body part) even when they were in an auto crash (accident is also wrong wording) or were attacked. Someone out and about, minding their business, gets broken then others ask, "What did you do to yourself?" and they answer, "I broke my (whatever)". Why is it the person hurt gets blamed for the damage?
    Sorry to rattle on. Does your brain sometimes dwell on aslant issues?

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