Hyperbolic Expressions

♫ I'm a little bit of everything all rolled into one ♫

I'm not sure there is a better way to describe me than with the above borrowed lyrics. The very first line of that same song is ♫ I hate the world today ♫ ...Speak to me, Meredith Brooks. 

I tend to say that quite a bit, actually. Honestly, I probably speak the words "I hate the world," "I hate people," and "I hate everything" more than anyone you currently know or will ever meet. However, that doesn't translate to me literally hating the world, people, and or everything. While I would put myself somewhere between "cynic" and "realist," those phrases are mostly just a hyperbolic expression of my disappointment. Three cheers for being self-aware? Or something...*shrug*

The problem, though, with saying those things is that people don't always know not to take you literally or seriously or "with a grain of salt" if you're a fan of idioms. Which, by the way, I most definitely am not. I hate idioms...and this time I'm not being hyperbolic. It's like, JUST SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND DON'T GIVE ME SOME VERBAL PUZZLE I HAVE TO DECODE IN ORDER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. *clears throat* Anyway. Saying these things can easily come across as being overly negative (hence the word "hate") and make you seem depressed or even hateful. I mean, I understand why someone might think those things if they don't know you well but I don't think of myself as a particularly hateful or overly negative person. And as far as depression goes (or any other mental issue, for that matter), I tend to not be as open about those things when I'm struggling. Meaning, I wouldn't generally post an update on social media about feeling depressed or whatever but I would totally post something that said, "I hate the world...". Maybe that's backwards or weird, but that's me. And that's why I love the following borrowed lyrics, courtesy of Meredith Brooks:

♫I think it's cool, you do what you do and don't try to save me ♫

Just because I sometimes use hyperbolic phrases to express disappointments doesn't mean I need to be "saved," as the 90s classic so appropriately put it. I don't need to be rescued or whatever because of some exaggerated and over-the-top statement. Also, PLEASE don't ask me if I'm okay, but instead ask me how I'm doing if you're really that curious. What I mean by that is, don't assume there is constantly something wrong that I need to talk about. Maybe I should change my name to Frank, but it gets frustrating to feel like you have to defend your O.K. Factor and I'm guessing I'm not the only person who has experienced something like this. 

I hope I'm not coming off as mean or bitchy or whatevs, because I don't mean it like that. I understand and appreciate that asking me if I'm okay comes from a kind and caring place, but I feel it could be approached in a different way. I just think it's important to be aware of and think about stuff like this, and to be aware of others in general. And regardless of your personal opinion of me, I highly suggest you go listen to (and even watch the music video for) "Bitch" by Meredith Brooks and rock out until your heart's content. 

Until Next Time, 
Carly (but really Batman)