Cringe

Some cringy musings about “cringe”…

I have decided that I am done with idea of “cringe”. Or maybe more accurately, I have decided to embrace it.

I’m open to being wrong about this…but it seems that what I often see called “cringy” are the moments when someone is publicly displaying joy - pride - earnestness - enthusiasm - courage…

And I can relate.
Doesn’t it seem like - if we’re really honest - witnessing someone else’s joy very rarely sparks PURE joy within us?
Isn’t it usually carrying with it at least a tiny bit of its counterpart?
envy - grief - unworthiness - embarrassment - loneliness…
But that’s complicated and hard to admit, often even to ourselves. Because it feels wrong to feel sad seemingly BECAUSE you see that someone else is happy.

That’s when “cringy” comes to the rescue. What a sweet protection it is for all of us. A refuge. A blanket for all the discomfort.

Maybe if we can make everyone think that broadcasting their happiness is “cringe”, I won’t have to see it and feel all this complexity anymore. Don’t they know they’re supposed to be ashamed of their good parts?

Again, I’m open to being completely off-base about this. It’s nuanced and I’m just in the inquiry of it.

All I know is that for me, when I notice myself thinking someone else is being cringy, it’s usually a good clue that I’m feeling some type of way that I’d like to avoid. And it’s usually a sign to give myself a little bit of grace.