Can't Keep Blinds Open At Night...

[Taylor30313]

I know. This will seem so silly to everyone. So I live in a condo and my living room window looks out onto our parking lot. I can't stand them being open. I get so anxious. Especially if a cop goes by which is hard to avoid because a cop lives a couple buildings down. If you can understand, I like to think I have my PTSD and anxiety under control most of the time. So why can't I calm myself down??

 

[Kintsugi]

I hate having my blinds open, and I used to not be able to stand it. Does your anxiety stay elevated even when they are shut?

 

[Taylor30313]

Side note: I've never been stalked, never had an intruder, and never had problems with the police. Although, I think it could be related to my mom going to jail as a child and me watching. I just feel really unsafe when they are open and like someone is out to get me.

 

[Taylor30313]

@Simply Simon Yes, sometimes when I've had a really anxious day. And I'm sorry to hear that, but glad I'm not alone.

 

[ihateusernames]

Whoah, no, I don't think that's silly at all. My windows are all ground floor facing the parking lot and I always keep the blinds closed. If I want more light I open them slightly facing up and make sure the curtains are completely closed.

Thinking about it, though, I'm probably not a very good example. I get paranoid somebody will look through the little crack between my blinds and the vertical sides of the window. I have to push the blinds into the frame to get rid of the gap.

I have also never been stalked or had a break-in or anything. I just hate the idea that somebody might look in my window. I don't want people to see me, I don't want them to see my stuff, I don't want them to see my son especially. Just, yeah, feels unsafe. My family thinks it's weird to keep them closed all the time while I can't fathom having them open like they do.

 

[WildMermaid]

blinds closed doors locked at night. Repeat until I actually remember checking each door. I don't have to check all windows any more just those that were open during the day. progress. ;) . lol. Seriously, yes I understand what you're saying @Taylor30313

 

[Taylor30313]

Thank you all. I feel a little better. My mom now closes them when I get home lol. She use to tease me about it but then realized it was something that really bothered me. I don't feel so alone about it. It just kind of stinks when I'm living a semi-normal not so sick life, then there it is. Staring me in the face is my PTSD behaviors.

 

[Friday]

I'm just confused why anyone would keep their blinds open at night? Turns every window into a perfectly broadcasting TV screen of your life for blocks and blocks. Everyone can see in, no one can see out. Even out in the country I wouldn't want someone able to see me before I could see them. Especially not from half a mile away.

 

[Fadeaway]

I'm just confused why anyone would keep their blinds open at night?

I think it is a culture thing? I for one can't stand having them open at anytime of day let alone night. I don't like feeling so exposed. However, my husband thinks it is perfectly normal to have them open at night. We are from different parts of the U.S.

The state we lived in before our current state, everyone kept their curtains open at night. I thought it was so weird and felt like a peeping tom just for driving by.

 

[desiderata310]

Never got this either.
People who DON'T have ptsd don't feel comfortable with their blinds open.
Doors locked, recheck, windows downstairs locked, recheck, windows in the room *I* am in can be open a bit. Gets too warm otherwise. All others closed.
Check and recheck

 

[ihateusernames]

I'm just confused why anyone would keep their blinds open at night?

Y'know I didn't even notice the "at night" part yesterday. I just assumed she meant all of the time. LOL. I hate having them open any time.

My neighbor opens her blinds and her door at all hours. You can see everything in there. I'll pull into the parking lot and see her sitting on the couch clipping her toenails or something. It makes me uncomfortable. I don't see how she can stand it.

 

[Kintsugi]

@Fadeaway I have noticed it's a cultural difference, too. Luckily my partner is just as paranoid as I am, so our whole house is on lock down like all the time. :D