Tag: words

jouska – a hypothetical conversation that you compulsively play out in your head – a crisp analysis, a devastating comeback, a cathartic heart-to-heart – which serves as a kind of phycological batting cage that feels far more satisfying than the small-ball strategies of everyday life.

This happens to me all the time. Maybe this is something I should work on in therapy? However, since I try not to should-on-myself, I’ll see if I can reduce this internal dialogue.

Sometimes it’s productive for me, such as the times I’m gaming what questions someone might ask me about a presentation or how I will pitch something in a meeting. In these cases, running through the “ideal” conversation in my head is good initial prep.

However. I sometimes have this crazy hypothetical conversation in my head when someone has upset or offended me. I’m sure “I’m right”, and I work through all the great things I would say and how I’d show the other person they are wrong.

Things never work out that way, and I hope I find ways to engage in less jouska.

From the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

looseleft – the feeling of loss upon finishing a good book, sensing the weight of the back cover locking away the lives of characters you’ve gotten to know so well.

I feel this often. I think this is one reason I read series. Even when they end, this feeling is lessened because there are others to read, or re-read, as I do regularly.

However, Stephen King and Harlen Coben as favorite authors who often write novels about one set of characters that I love and get to know and then forever are stuck remembering the small part of their lives I shared.

From the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

trumspringa – n. the longing to wander off your career path in pursuit of a simple life, which is just the kind of hypnotic diversion that allows your thoughts to make a break for it and wander back to their cubicles in the city.

Such an interesting word. I know I had this when I was working at JD Edwards (and later Peoplesoft) in Denver. My wife certainly had it. In some sense, she’s made this come true and it’s no longer a longing. It’s semi true for me, though I still work at a desk.

Coping with stress and struggles have had me often thinking what else could I do. I still do this a little, though not more than just as a diversion since I have a great job. More now I look to find ways to actually wander away and try something new.

From the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

vemoödalen – the fear that originality is no longer possible

I used to worry about this, and often I thought that I’d run out of original things to do. However, after 20 years of writing, I know that’s not true. Seeing TikTok or Youtube things my kids enjoy show me the tremendous creativity and originality that the world has to offer.

You might disagree, but I don’t find this to be a sorry for me and I embrace the amazing diverse, creative world we live in.

From the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows