Blushing; a blessing and curse

[fpu89]

Hello; I feel fortunate to have discovered this forum. Blushing is my greatest obsession. I attempt to downplay my compulsive blushes by appearing unaffected when it happens. Inwardly, I am completely arrested by panic. It's frustrating that blushing is commonly interpreted as a sign of appeasement. Outwardly I am agreeable so as to avoid blushing situations, but inwardly I have fiercely independent thoughts. Though blushing hinders me in work and school; I remain completely ambivalent about it. There is so much poetry that celebrates blushing. Henry David Thoreau once said:"Blushing is the color of virtue". A seventeenth century poet: "A blush is the sign which Nature hangs out to show where chastity and honor dwell". Blushing used to be a more common phenomenon that is is today because now people are shameless. Not to stereotype the young generation because I am 18, but too many young people today have no inhibitions or proper social etiquette. People don't embarrass by things obscene and vulgar. Television is full of shameless idiots who have no inhibitions or modesty. I know excess blushing is nothing to celebrate, but I really do think there is something beautiful about blushing.

 

[MeInTheCorner]

I think that is one of the best pieces of writing on blushing that i have ever read. Well done.

 

[fpu89]

Thank you to MeInTheCorner; that was very kind. My mother, who puts up with my worries and obsessions, always reminds me that I need to find reasons to celebrate.I have learned that blushers may not necessarily have a higher IQ than most people, but we do tend to have a higher emotional intelligence. When someone has higher standards of etiquette and morals, they feel a stronger sense of shame. I think the shame is a product of high standards. I hope that makes sense and is not just my own warped reasoning. I try to approach blushing logically rather than complaining about the harmful emotional effects its had on me. Blushers are unusually perceptive and sensitive, and celebrating that is what keeps me from staying depressed in a frustrating situation.

 

[sidney]

wow, this is like the first post ever thats made me feel a little happier about my blushing, its still a major pain in the ass but meh, this has eased it slightly

 

[tool1919]

Ageed. I think it is definitely a product of high standards. I think that, like myself, most SA sufferers are perfectionists that place very high (and impossible) standards upon themselves that can never be fulfilled. We therefore feel guilty when we don't achieve them. I beat myself up over every little thing i don't do perfectly and it plays on my mind. i feel like i'm not worthy of love and affection which is totally irrational because i know i am. I just can't convince myself of this.

 

[krs2snow]

Henry David Thoreau once said:"Blushing is the color of virtue". A seventeenth century poet: "A blush is the sign which Nature hangs out to show where chastity and honor dwell".

I only wish the people I met throughout the day knew these quotes and poems by heart!! Maybe it would alleviate just some of the pain and extreme frustration blushing causes me each day if I knew they had these thoughts in mind! I will try to keep them in my mind though!

Thanks for the post! Made me feel good for today!