"SOMEONE" (Spotify)
Have you ever felt like someone is always listening in on you? Well, you’re right. Someone is. You make a short trip to the grocery store. Someone is listening to you check off your list, item by item. You take a trip to the mall for some last-minute shopping. Someone is waiting to hear you pick between the blue and ever so slightly deeper blue top that are quite literally the same. You get a work call from your boss in public. Someone is hearing you get infuriated over your boss telling you you’ve been replaced by a junior hire. You’re at dinner arguing over splitting the bill. Someone is listening to you pull the waiter aside and secretly hand them your card. You’re at coffee shop with your best friend studying. Someone is listening to both of you do everything and anything BUT study.
At this point, you might just think you have a stalker. Someone has been eavesdropping on all of your conversations, everywhere you go. They have been studying your every move, step and breath. Waiting for the right moment. But don’t be alarmed. That someone is Spotify.
Your trip to the grocery store? Spotify was curating a playlist to make the time go by faster. Last minute shopping? Spotify has a song to help you calm the nerves. Work got you stressed? Spotify recommends a meditation and destressing playlist. Can’t bear to listen to everyone fighting over the bill? Spotify has you covered with a 72-hour playlist that will hopefully get you through the next 5 hours (no promises it could be longer). Study session with your best friend? Spotify has a playlist ready for you to actually get some work done for once.
No matter the day, time or year. Someone is always listening to you. Someone is Spotify.
"REDDIT GROUP THERAPIST"
In a world where oversharing is a foreign concept and TMI doesn’t exist, the possibilities are endless. Unfortunately for me, it’s just a tiny little room with multiple chairs and a slightly bigger chair that makes me feel more important. Luckily, for my group it’s their safe space and I cherish the time we spend together, no matter where that may be.
*Insert character name* make daily appointments with me (yeah you read that right DAILY) but this is a judgement free zone. The best part about these meetings is that I get to sit here and observe while they bond with each other. Makes me feel like a proud mom. Frankly, my ONLY job is to sit here and listen no matter how minor their issues may seem to the world; I never invalidate their feelings. “I sort my socks by colour and length, does anyone else do this?”. “OMG me too! Twins!” We listen and we don’t judge, I repeat to myself as I start to question all my life decisions.
Often times there will be that one person that loves to disagree just for the heck of it and to be honest I have to fight the urge to throw my chair at them. But it’s all love. “I never know if the milk or the cereal goes first, which way is the right way?” Obviously, the cereal but I’m forced to keep that opinion to myself. Like I said, there’s always that ONE person who thinks they know it all… “Um actually the milk goes first, any other way is wrong.” It’s never that serious but hey, everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. These are just harmless opinions that have very little impact. Once you learn to ignore them it’s actually a really fun place to be! However, if it's anything more than a difference in opinion? Not on my watch (or threads).
Although my expertise are put on the back burner, I am more than happy to sit back and observe the safe space I have created for my group. For hours…and hours…and hours…No seriously it’s like clockwork.
FREE WRITING
"TOOTH FAIRY MEETS GREED"
I have never once complained about my job. I show up. I deliver results. I help keep families together for gods’ sake. What once started as an innocent childhood fairytale (founded by yours truly) has now turned into a world of greed. Children used to look forward to impressing me, but now I am simply a means to an end. An afterthought if you will. I don’t have the same effect on people as I did before, and I don’t know what I did to deserve this. Don’t get me wrong, my 3–5-year-olds know still know what’s good for ‘em. Unfortunately, that’s where it ends. $$$ is all they see now. No regard for my time or energy. No consideration. It’s ridiculous! I have feelings too you know. This new generation would KILL to have me in their lives. Oh well, it’s their loss not mine. I know my worth and that is enough for me to uphold my legacy. I can only do so much; “I am a strong, independent woman”, I say to myself. I will fight with every bone in my body and make sure no one ever forgets me. I don’t mean to sound self-righteous, but the world really IS a better place with me in it.