TruthSeeker
MyPTSD Pro
A weird revelation-any thoughts?
So, I've been a little more isolated lately, and it's all about how fast can I get things done and get back home (where it's safe, comfortable, and predictable).I stopped at the bank and got money....at the drive thru, then I had to make an appointment at Toyota, so I drive my car into the bay and make an appointment-didn't have to get out of my car there either, to make the appointment-just tell my name and a time of availability. Next, I went to pick up my meds....and the drive thru window called to me (I hadn't used it before)--but I didn't have to do anything but say my name....no conversation really and I didn't get sidetracked buying other stuff. Got thirsty and drove across the street to McDonalds-where do you suppose I went....drive thru-no conversation except telling my order and saying thank you. Lastly, in my head, I needed to get home, so I wished they had a drive thru for the Food Lion grocery store cause I was running low on food. I drove over, and what did I see? Parking slots with signs, grocery pick up. No kidding, and it was then I thought.....how my experience in the drive thru is reinforcing my isolation (and reducing my exercise-steps).
I could have just called in my grocery order, and driven on up....avoiding the lines and people-just as I had done everywhere else. Unfortunately, it is much easier to isolate these days....as we are becoming more and more a drive-thru society.....and combined with technology (cell phones, computers, text).....making life quicker....faster communication-it is less real feeling. Drive thrus are kinda like moving cattle along in single file....and all they do is moo to tell you something....my conclusion, drive thru's reinforce isolation and in turn, reinforce PTSD symptoms.
How did I come to this conclusion? Thinking back at other occasions when I'd get out of the car, physically have to walk in and maneuver around the store and have f2f conversations with people, bump into people I hadn't seen, or encountering a funny interaction with the lady or the cute kid in the grocery isle that made me smile-I think I felt better having a more authentic experience in the store......w the drive thru....like home, it is pretty predictable........I just check off a box that a chore was completed and don't make real meaningful conversation beyond telling the info to "get something." So, maybe if all I want is to exist, then the drive thru is okay. If I want more human contact, than maybe I ought to park and get out and go inside. While convenient, I think I may be losing opportunities for positive interation with others, and need to rethink the use of the drive-thru as maybe it is reinforcing PTSD symptoms-esp. when I know I'm symptomatic.
So, I've been a little more isolated lately, and it's all about how fast can I get things done and get back home (where it's safe, comfortable, and predictable).I stopped at the bank and got money....at the drive thru, then I had to make an appointment at Toyota, so I drive my car into the bay and make an appointment-didn't have to get out of my car there either, to make the appointment-just tell my name and a time of availability. Next, I went to pick up my meds....and the drive thru window called to me (I hadn't used it before)--but I didn't have to do anything but say my name....no conversation really and I didn't get sidetracked buying other stuff. Got thirsty and drove across the street to McDonalds-where do you suppose I went....drive thru-no conversation except telling my order and saying thank you. Lastly, in my head, I needed to get home, so I wished they had a drive thru for the Food Lion grocery store cause I was running low on food. I drove over, and what did I see? Parking slots with signs, grocery pick up. No kidding, and it was then I thought.....how my experience in the drive thru is reinforcing my isolation (and reducing my exercise-steps).
I could have just called in my grocery order, and driven on up....avoiding the lines and people-just as I had done everywhere else. Unfortunately, it is much easier to isolate these days....as we are becoming more and more a drive-thru society.....and combined with technology (cell phones, computers, text).....making life quicker....faster communication-it is less real feeling. Drive thrus are kinda like moving cattle along in single file....and all they do is moo to tell you something....my conclusion, drive thru's reinforce isolation and in turn, reinforce PTSD symptoms.
How did I come to this conclusion? Thinking back at other occasions when I'd get out of the car, physically have to walk in and maneuver around the store and have f2f conversations with people, bump into people I hadn't seen, or encountering a funny interaction with the lady or the cute kid in the grocery isle that made me smile-I think I felt better having a more authentic experience in the store......w the drive thru....like home, it is pretty predictable........I just check off a box that a chore was completed and don't make real meaningful conversation beyond telling the info to "get something." So, maybe if all I want is to exist, then the drive thru is okay. If I want more human contact, than maybe I ought to park and get out and go inside. While convenient, I think I may be losing opportunities for positive interation with others, and need to rethink the use of the drive-thru as maybe it is reinforcing PTSD symptoms-esp. when I know I'm symptomatic.