Suzanne gave me the inspiration for this post, and she got it from Elisabeth. And in the midst of writing this post, I realized I had written something similar last NaBloPoMo, so maybe this is a new NaBloPoMo yearly post? Ha. Here are five more things I wish I liked:
Alcohol
Sometimes, I like alcohol. A fruity cider or cocktail can be delicious. But sometimes, alcohol makes me break out in hives and sometimes, I get a drink that’s just a bit too strong and I end up diluting it with ice cubes. I’ve yet to find a type of wine that I enjoy. I find beer disgusting. And even if I do order a drink that is tasty, it’s still never as good as an ice-cold Dr. Pepper.
Having explored various activities recently, I found that participating in https://cliftoncocktailclub.co.uk/cocktail-making-class/ was a uniquely enjoyable venture. The class was structured in a way that catered to both beginners and those with some experience, ensuring everyone could learn something new while having a great time. The atmosphere was welcoming, and the instructors were incredibly knowledgeable, sharing their passion for cocktail making with all of us.
Early Mornings
I want to like early mornings. I used to, mostly out of necessity. I worked the early-morning shift at a daycare in college so I was out the door by 5:45 a.m. Monday-Friday. When I was working in an office, I needed to be out the door by 7 a.m. most days, which meant if I was going to exercise before work, that alarm was going off at 5 a.m. or earlier. But the pandemic changed me and I am no longer someone who can handle early mornings. I find it difficult to get my day started, I’m constantly behind on my morning routine, and it’s a good day if I’m at my computer by 8:30 a.m. (We have flexible start times, but still. I don’t love that I get my day started so late!) Can I retrain myself to love early mornings, or do I just need to accept that they’re not for me anymore?
Tomatoes
I’m stealing this one from Suzanne. Life would be so much simpler if I liked tomatoes. There are so many recipes that I immediately snub because they have tomatoes. I find tomatoes to be slimy and gross. They ruin meals. But I wish I liked them! People talk about eating tomatoes on their own like it’s some sort of treat and I just cannot understand that life.
Music
I’m not a music person. I don’t seek out new artists to listen to and I barely know what songs are popular these days. I listen to my Taylor Swift playlist on Spotify and that’s about it. I wish I had more of an affinity for music, but it’s just never been something I’ve been attuned to. Maybe it’s because I was “forbidden” from listening to anything other than Christian music growing up, and listening to secular music felt like sinning against God. I don’t know. Whatever it is, it’s meant that music just isn’t something I’m into.
People
Okay, this one is going to make me sound like a terrible person but let me just get it all out. I wish I liked getting to know people. I wish I was someone who could make small talk with my neighbors and knew everything about their lives. I wish I enjoyed group events and didn’t get so nervous about being around people and having to make conversation. I wish my mind didn’t blank out when I’m trying to talk with someone new. I wish I didn’t get annoyed if a grocery store clerk chatters on about her day. I think my social anxiety really plays a role in the way I interact with people. Social anxiety makes me suddenly aware of my body and the way I’m standing and my facial expressions and if my stomach is protruding too much and omg, will they ask if I’m pregnant? Social anxiety makes my mind just erase all of my thoughts completely and stringing together a coherent sentence feels impossible. The world just begins to feel very loud and overstimulating very quickly, and man, I wish it just felt normal to me.
Your turn! What’s something you wish you liked? Do you agree or disagree with me on any of these points?
Oh my gosh, YES to the last one with my whole heart.
Also this: “People talk about eating tomatoes on their own like it’s some sort of treat and I just cannot understand that life.”
I totally get how liking alcohol would be easier than not — it’s such an ingrained part of our social lives that people get very up in arms when you don’t drink. But of all the things to embrace not liking, I say wrap your arms around this one! Especially now, when non-alcoholic drinks are having such a moment, it seems like a great time to enjoy being alcohol free!
Stephany, this is like Elisabeth’s post in that I like every single thing on your list! Actually, I LOVE everything on your list! It’s so interesting to me because it just shows that life is a tapestry (tomorrow’s post is all about life being a tapestry).
Did I just say I love alcohol? That sounded weird. But I love wine a lot and it is a true treat for me. I only drink on the weekends, and not in copious amounts, but I just love wine! And other beverages! But I do not like pop and I really don’t like Dr Pepper, so you can have allllll of mine. And I’ll have all your tomatoes! Our differences are kind of fun in that way.
And you know how I feel about talking to strangers (also an update in tomorrow’s post, are you in my brain space? Maybe!)
I like alcohol, early mornings, and tomatoes. I enjoy music but don’t obsess about what is playing. I am getting more ambivalent about people every day. I know I’m *supposed* to like them but honestly… so many are so screwed up, which is whatever because I’m not here to fix them, BUT when they get in my way, causing me unnecessary inconveniences, I tend to snarl.
For someone who doesn’t like being around new people, I give you a lot of credit for being SO social! You’re involved in so many social situations.
Tomatoes – is it the texture? Are you OK with tomato sauce on pasta and pizza? I find that most people I have talked to who hate tomatoes really only hate the raw ones, and its texture.
I agree with Suzanne, embrace not liking alcohol. It’s expensive and not good for you, so you do you. If you’re at a party where it feels awkward, you can get seltzer water with lime and it looks like a gin and tonic or something.
Yes – only raw tomatoes! I can handle tomato sauce on pizza, but I don’t like a lot of it.
Mhm I am one of the people to eat tomatoes on their own. Unfortunately I recently developed an allergy so I have. to be careful. Which kinda sucks.
I wouldn’t say I would like people more. I can do some small talk and I can chat with a neighbor but often enough I don’t care much. For business it would be nice if I liked it more. I guess if I have to I can push. myself to do it.
I. am not a music person. But I am not sure I would want to be one…
I wish I was just more of a people person! I think life is a lot easier for extroverts than introverts. Social situations are everywhere and I’d love not to stress out about them so much.
Do you eat things with tomatoes in them, like pizza with tomato sauce? I’m just trying to figure out how far the tomato thing goes. Or is it just RAW tomatoes? I love a fresh tomato, but I get that they’re not for everyone.
I wish I never had to get up before the sun ever again. Alas, that is not to be my life.
It’s more about raw tomatoes! I like tomato sauce on pizza, but I don’t love a ton of sauce!
Girl, you know you’re talking to friends here. I can eat tomatoes for days, but I can’t start up or carry a conversation to save my life. And what you said about music. Yes I like it but I’m not obsessed and only listen if I’m exercising or in the car.
I like people I HATE small talk. And the effort I have to make to make that small talk. And the high pitched hiiiiiii in the pick up line at the school.. ugh. Everything else I like!
Small talk is the worst! I really hate it and I just wish I was better at it. It would make things a lot easier for me!
Haha, I specifically remember in last year’s post you said you don’t like the beach. And your reasoning was so convincing, I started to think that maybe I don’t like the beach either!
So, I can see why you wish you liked alcohol. I don’t drink much anymore, and I don’t like any hard alcohol or mixed drinks. But every once in a while a nice glass of wine or a delicious beer is so enjoyable.
About tomatoes… I have to say the tomatoes we get down here are TERRIBLE. They have NO TASTE. I wonder if you would like a really good tomato from someone’s garden (again, someone who does not live in Florida.) But maybe the texture would still bother you.
About your last one- I agree so, so much. Can you imagine how easy life must be for extroverts???
I think about how much easier life must be for extroverts all the time. To actually ENJOY people and find it easy to make conversation! To not get stressed out by social situations! WHAT A LIFE.
I LOVE music and I’m fine with tomatoes but agree with you about EVERYTHING ELSE! I had to laugh when you wrote “People” as the header, though. Hahaha. I know 100% what you mean.
Imagine being an EXTROVER who LIKED MORNINGS. Can you even imagine? (I can’t!)
What a life that is – to like people AND mornings AND chit-chat? That’s not my life!
I like mornings but not like the Kelsey of girl next door kind of mornings. I am definitely more of a morning person than a night person. But by mornings, I mean a wake-time of around 6:30? So that might not make me a “true” morning person.
I LOVE tomatoes. Love love love them. But I am the only person in my house that like them so far. Maybe one of the boys will end up liking them.
I’m kind of mixed on the last one. I do not like small talk/inane chit chat with people I will never see again. But I do like getting to know people on our block or at work for example. So if the small talk is part of developing a deeper relationship, I’m interested. But an uber driver? NO THANK YOU.
LOL – I think being willing to wake up at 6:30am DEFINITELY makes you a morning person! Anything before 8 a.m. is a morning person to me, haha.
Aww Stephany, the last one made me want to give you a big hug. I don’t wish for you to change at all, but I do wish for you to feel more comfortable and have less anxiety in those situations, since a lot of them are unavoidable!
I am trying to think of something I wish I liked, while also a voice in my head is saying “you don’t have to like anything you don’t want to!” Ha. I wish I liked confrontation so I was better at it? That is a goal of mine at work. Otherwise, there are a lot of things I don’t like that the mainstream does but I totally don’t care that I don’t like and don’t mind hearing those folks talk about those things or being around them when the do them 🙂
Also, there is no reason to force yourself to be a morning person unless you want to/need to!
Yeah, I think life is just a tiny bit easier for extroverts and those who don’t get stressed out about being around people all the time. I wish I liked chit-chat and getting to know people, but it’s really hard for me, and makes social situations difficult. But I try my best to get out there even if I know I’m going to feel weird, so there’s that at least!
Hoo, boy, I don’t mind tomatoes IN things, but I would NEVER bite into a tomato or make any sort of dish where a tomato is the intentional star. No. Nope. Not for me.
Well, I love tomatoes, early mornings and music, but I am completely with you on people and alcohol. I mean, I love people… I’d be happy to hang out with any of you lovely blogging people, but making new friends and small talk is SO, SO hard and I try to avoid it when possible. That’s also the reason why I haven’t put myself out there to make more local friends… it’s so much work. Sigh. I crave close and easy relationships, but they’re hard to establish.
It really is a lot of work and I do not love surface-level relationships! I want to dig into the heart of people and ask the tough questions, lol. But that’s not how friendships begin!
Tomatoes, yes. I grew up eating farmer’s market tomatoes and – best of all – Jersey tomatoes. There is nothing like them, and I cannot find anything similar around here. People, for SURE. I think you have found your fellow intro-intro-introverts here. 🙂 (I am not attending a colleague’s celebration [promotion] on Tuesday evening because… what? You want me to make small talk with people I *work with*? Uh, no thanks.)
Music – I have my faves (Brandi Carlisle, The Chicks, and a few others) – but don’t seek out new musicians, tbh.