I was talking to my ex-girlfriend, and she said one of the things that she could never get over was that it seemed like a major part of me wasn't actually there, that it was off somewhere, watching.
I kind of take this for granted, that most of me is observing from space rather than interacting. I think it's because I don't quite understand humans and human behavior, so I watch most of the time in an effort to learn.
It's good for writing, I'll admit, that I'm always a bit distant. But I think I thought everyone was like that.
Apparentley, it's unusual. Does anyone else here do this?
Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
I've been told the exact same thing--that I'm constantly observing the situation and what people are doing rather than being a part of it. It's a good thing because it allows you to observe and check yourself in any situation. It's a bad thing socially if you don't break out of the shell and just live in the present--not thinking, but doing. If you really want to understand human behavior, it'll help you to stop thinking about it and start DOING it.
At least that's what I've learned.
~fellow watcher
Posted by airmanfour (Member # 6111) on :
People seem to think doers are more interesting than watchers. Claudius disagreed.
Posted by A Rat Named Dog (Member # 699) on :
I'm incapable of watching. I dive headlong into everything and get totally invested, which means I have way more to lose, emotionally, in everything I do.
May be why I'm more susceptible to horror movies than most of my peers. I can't distance myself from situations.
Posted by dean (Member # 167) on :
I used to do that a lot, but now I'm more like Rat Named Dog.
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
I also used to do that a lot, but it got lonely... Now I wouldn't say that I'm like Rat, but I do participate in my own life a lot more, and it's much more interesting. And being involved is also good for writing, because it's easier to be realistic when writing about an emotion or situation that you have actually experienced, as opposed to one that you've watched somone experience.