I was sitting here this morning trying to decide what M-feeling word I should use for today. Puzzled, I ask Drollery his opinion of my list printed off from a website. I was very thankful he didn’t choose mean, malevolent, or something along those lines. I figured he’d go for moody, mixed-up, or melodramatic. I was surprised when he said MISUNDERSTOOD.
I shouldn’t have been though. We’ve had many conversations over the years about my feeling that way. I’m often frustrated because I can’t make him understand what I mean when we’re talking, or I can’t find the right words to put down on paper to convey my feelings when I’m writing. In fact, I probably feel MISUNDERSTOOD when I write more than anything.
The last time we had that conversation I told him to imagine that he was blind and had to wear winter-weight gloves all the time. He would be able to feel objects through the gloves, but not the actual what-ever-it-is. His senses would be muted. Plastic, metal, hot, cold… No doubt he couldn’t articulate clearly what he was touching. He finally seemed to get it.
So when I write I often feel as if I’m trying to describe something with gloves on. What I mean isn’t clear — not to myself nor to those reading what I write. Being MISUNDERSTOOD, then, is one of the most aggravating and disheartening feelings in the world to me because words are my currency and I depend on them so much — not just in writing, but in verbal communication.
I think that’s part of the reason I decided to start a blog. Practice! Practice at describing what I feel, what I think, what I want, what I need, my impressions of other people and situations… I’ve gotten better at it over the last 18 months. Better at the fine art of articulation. It must be working because I don’t feel as misunderstood as I used to. (But I still suck at writing poetry!)
`
________________________________
The Blogging A to Z Challenge — M
Picture Credits:
misunderstood — www.pinterest.com
gloves — droided.net
poem — www.theromantic.com
Have I got a song for you!
I SO get the feeling misunderstood. *sigh*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well THAT was a blast from the past! Thanks. 🙂
LikeLike
You know I can’t hear words without associating them with some song or other. 🙂 It’s my pleasure to spread music where and when I can.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i make up words too! Apart from anything, it’s fun, and they have punch because they ARE made up. Drollery sounds a lot like TRH – but I think the problem I have there is he is very, very good at seeming to listen, but not. He says his mother taught him that – not literally 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I’m really having trouble expressing myself I sometimes just feel autistic, for lack of a better way to put it. Like i’m in my own little world and I can’t make anyone understand.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It IS frustrating. TRH makes me feel like that sometimes when he’s in one of his moods. I just can’t find the words for what I want to say !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, It’s hard to find the right words. Sometimes I just have to make them up.
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL! I haven’t had a good giggle all day. Thank you, Mary! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think every one feels misunderstood at times or can’t put into words what we’re feeling. Good post. ~Meg Writer‘s Crossings
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, Megan, and for taking the time to comment. You have a lovely blog. Hope you’re having a good day.
LikeLike
Disagree about the poetry. Strongly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lori, you are SUCH a good cheerleader. Thank you. 🙂
LikeLike
See – I would probably have written “Better at the fine art of, um, thingy, you know, when you say something, and everybody understands exactly what you mean,” so I reckon you’re articulating pretty well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL You’re so cute! 😉 How you’ve managed to keep your sense of humor though everything you’ve been through amazes me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had to rebuild it – three years ago I used to long to hear the sound of my own laughter, but then my niece, Heather, and I moved into the tent in the woods and she taught me to laugh again. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is there a chance you can do that again?
LikeLike
I agree, up close there are times when one one can be lost for words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting to read, although I have found it easier to talk to men rather than women.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not me… Men are my downfall. Or maybe I’m just my own downfall when it comes to that…
LikeLiked by 1 person
In what way you are not relaxed when talking to them or they don’t understand/listen – perhaps it depends on the man. I get the impression you are at ease.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I’m at ease with most everyone on the blogs. It’s not the same as up close and personal. Actually I just get very tongue-tied. I know it doesn’t seem that way. Probably didn’t seem that way at ALL when we talked! LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a good one I am sure many of us feel that way at times . Especially when talking to the opposite sex
LikeLiked by 1 person
Boy isn’t THAT the truth! I have found if I talk to him about golf and then compare it somehow to what I’m talking about he can generally make the connection! LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person