Dag Nabit (excuse my midwesternese). Don’t you hate when you come up with this brilliant concept and then do a Google search and realize it’s nothing new? Such is the struggle of existing in the 21st Century. Billions of people have come before us, sharing their own philosophies on life and claiming ownership of new ideas and break-throughs.

The other day I was driving in my car. Alone. Which usually leads to some pretty odd behavior. Whether it be really bad attempts at embodying that elusive fierceness Beyonce has, or talking in weird voices as though I’m performing a variety show for an audience of one.  I’m not even aware of how weird my behavior may be considered by outsiders until a car happens to be driving even with me for an extended period of time.

Suddenly *POOF*, the illusion that I am invisible to the rest of the world through the magic of driving at 65 mph (who are we kidding, 72..3….okay maybe 5 mph) disappears and I instantly revert to “traditional” driving habits. Meaning: no whipping my hair back and forth, no over-the-top impressions of pop stars like Kesha and Miley Cyrus and DEFINITELY no Beyonce inspired seated dance solos. Just good ‘ol hands at ten and two (do people actually do that?), chair and tray in the upright position…wait that’s not right.

So after the sudden onslaught of self-awareness, I begin to question my behavior. Is it strange to have so much fun when I am by myself? Don’t movies and TV shows tell us that being by yourself equals loneliness or boredom? While that may be true for many people, and some of the time even  myself, isn’t it strange to have the expectation of boredom while with your only constant companion? You are the only person who is privy to every thought, every hope, every fear you have ever had. And unless you have mastered a Buddhist monk level of meditation, I doubt your thoughts are ever completely quiet. You are constantly carrying on a dialogue with yourself. “What is that smell? Oh, it’s them. Ah! I can’t breathe! Okay, don’t be obvious, it’ll hurt their feelings. Inhale through the mouth. Oh man, I’m starting to feel light-headed. Finally! NEVER want to be stuck in a check-out line with them again. *GASP*”

It’s a strangely specific example, I know, but I had a particularly unpleasant check-out experience the other day at Vons. The point is, you are stuck with yourself, so why not be good company? (Sound familiar? Yeah, apparently I’m not as brilliantly enlightened as I had thought.)

Warning!

Side effects may include: increased self-esteem, decreased sense of boredom, increased levels of fun and laughter.

Until next time,

Candace