Self-pity

[robinturner]

I find it interesting how and why we feel sorry for ourselves. I'm not saying it's always a bad thing; although most people take a dim view of self-pity, I can see how it could serve some useful purpose on occasion. Perhaps I am only alive today because one of my paleolithic ancestors was feeling mopey and preferred to sulk in his cave sucking on a bone, rather than join the jolly hunting party who had spotted an absolutely magnificent sabre-toothed tiger down the valley, just past the cave-bear's lair and over the rocky rapids. However, apart from keeping me out of harm's way by encouraging me to mope and recuperate, I see little value in these moods - I simply find them fascinating.

Comments

[alsoname.livejournal.com]

They give rise to some great music, if you're into that sorta thing.

no doubt

[cf.livejournal.com]

I do a lot of climbing. Some days though, there is no risk tolerance at all and i just want to hide. Of course, as a wise man, i do hide. And I am pretty damn sure i am still alive as a direct result of self pity and hiding out.

It's definitely a survival mechanism. I have often wondered how much of it is picking up on very small nuances in the other realm of life and how much is not.

I should note that wallowing is different from visits...