Cool Whip Ramblings
Hi, there. It’s been a minute, I know. I’m tired, man.
I wrote a piece a few weeks back that started out with this line: “Fair warning. I don’t have a vision for this blog other than that I have lots of ideas swirling in my brain and I really need them to come out. If you’re on the edge of your seat about what comes next, let me assure you that I am, too.” It ended up being about my anxiety and how it tends to get compounded during times of stress. Ideas just swirl around inside my brain, like snowflakes, until they collide and create a giant snowball of worry.
Today I’m feeling angsty and I can’t put my finger on why. I mean, that’s not entirely true. I suppose the source of it is that I’m alive in the world and I happen to be paying attention to it. But instead of snowflakes fluttering about, my misgivings are more like spoonfuls of Cool Whip flung onto my kitchen floor by a preschooler. (I really hope you’re saying Cool Whip like this.) Each thought is its own separate and sedentary pile of sugary sweetness. It’s like even my thoughts are tired.
When I’m feeling out of sorts, the thing that helps me recenter my chi - that’s a thing, right? - most is writing. So today I bring you my newest list of preoccupations. I’m going to try to work some things out here…with an audience!
Dirty Jobs. I am so, so, so happy the Dirty Jobs is back on TV. To start, it’s a great show and I love Mike Rowe. More importantly, though, is that representation matters. Kids need to see that there are employment opportunities available to them that don’t require college degrees. College is not for everyone. Let’s stop pretending it is. People can live very successful lives working in the trades, military, municipalities, and beyond - and they can do it without launching themselves into adulthood with a decade+ worth of debt.
Empathy versus sympathy. The image in this section is a link to a YouTube video by Dr. Brene Brown, a research professor, lecturer, author, and podcast host.
Her research focuses on understanding human connection and a big part of that is understanding the difference between sympathy and empathy. As Dr. Brown explains, “Empathy fuels connection. Sympathy drives disconnection.” This is of utmost importance right now given the divisive state of the country. Sympathy involves understanding from your own perspective. Empathy involves putting yourself in the other person's shoes and understanding WHY they may have these particular feelings. We all need more empathy in our lives.
Trash Mouth Kids. As I have mentioned before, I possess a propensity for foul language. Consequently, my favorite words have trickled down to my kids and helped them develop some colorful language choices. And you know what? I don’t really care. It’s much preferred that my kids say asshole than it is for them to be assholes. Swearing is linked to higher intelligence, increased honesty, improved pain tolerance, and creativity. I’ll take those odds.
Why 55+ women are happiest. I listened to a podcast last week and learned that women enter the happiest stage of their lives once they hit 55 years of age. A series of studies over the last decade or so show that women are least happy in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. They become increasingly happier at 55 and continue to peak toward the end of life. These women report higher rates of overall satisfaction, happiness, and well-being, and lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Interesting, right? Assuming you don’t deliver a child at age 40, I speculate that increased happiness at age 55 is a result of less responsibility in parenting, having fewer fucks to give, and being more at peace with who you really are. It’s fun to think about. The happiest part of my life hasn’t even happened yet!
COVID news. At this point in the pandemic, I’m not 100% sure about why COVID still takes up so much time in the news. I understand that we’re still in a pandemic, okay? I’m not in denial that it’s happening. But here’s the thing. We know that social distancing, masks, and vaccinations help decrease the spread of viruses. Not just this virus. All viruses. If, after almost two years, people are not aboard this train, it’s not because they need more messaging. Might I suggest you spend that portion of the news showing photos of puppies instead?
Homework. The purpose of homework is for students to practice concepts they have learned in school. This is stupid. When I spend an entire day at work, I don’t bring things home with me to think about concepts for the next day. That would also be stupid. My neurodivergant child is unable to complete homework on his own. Want to know what that means for me? It means I get to do homework, too. Might I remind you that I spent twelve years in public school, four years in college, and two years in grad school? I have done enough homework for my lifetime. Do I want to spend our limited family time each evening arguing over the order of operations? I do not. I want to watch Cobra Kai with my kid, and discuss the coolest karate moves in each episode. Like a normal person.
That’s all for today, readers. I feel like I defragged a little bit, making room for lots of new ideas tomorrow. What’s on your mind? It would actually help me if you could provide some insight about things I have forgotten to worry about. Shoot me an email at kim@stinkbugtales.com. Also, don’t forget to sign up for emails here!
