Everyday Canvas

Overreactions and Summer Vacations

For "Blog City ~ Every Blogger's Paradise" 
Prompt: “There have been times in my life, when I now realize I over reacted to a situation. Many of these times were triggered by feeling controlled.”
Shirley Rose
What do you think about overreactions, and is the feeling of being controlled the only trigger for overreactions?

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I think we all overreact at something or other, at times. Yes, the feeling of being controlled could be a reason, if not the main reason, but there may be other instances when emotions are triggered suddenly, also. Such as the fear of getting hurt or being exploited.

Thus, we may overreact to protect ourselves against what we consider as threats. Some people panic and get carried away at the sight of snakes and spiders, for example. I would probably overreact if I learned that my country will be in a war. I know of a very nice lady who is overreacting to Covid-19, to the degree of refusing to see her perfectly-healthy only daughter for months.

We may also overreact to situations that may have the potential of hurting us or someone we love, especially when similar situations might have happened in the past. In the same vein, I'm quite sure that all our exaggerated reactions have more to do with our pasts than for anything else.

Then, there is that thing we all observe in our pets, which makes them go berserk during a storm with thunder and lightning. This might be a product of evolution, a sort of built-in alarm system against danger.

I also believe we overreact because, at the trigger-moment, we might believe subconsciously that there is nothing and no one to protect us against a threat or from being mistreated.

Still, in some cultures, overreacting is associated with weakness, and people who overreact are frowned upon. In our today’s culture, however, some overreactions are socially acceptable as they are considered as standing up for one’s or a group’s rights, even when such exaggerated behavior causes social unrest and lawlessness.

For: "Space Blog" 
Prompt: From IceSkatingSugarCube ’s "Summer Splendor" >
COVID-19 has been rampant. What, if anything, have you done for summer vacation?

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I have never been a fan of summer vacations, even when we lived up north. After the move to FL, where it is summer year-round—well, almost--, a summer vacation meant visiting the family in faraway places. Not anymore! I have traveled more than my share in my life, inside and abroad, and I have no will or desire of travel anymore. I like my quiet life, more or less, and Covid-19 is the added reason for not moving around so much.

As to answering the question, the only thing I have done these days is having the air conditioner on round-the-clock. When and if the heat takes a pity on us, sometimes in late afternoon, I sit reading a book, inside the covered porch in the back of the house. That is my best summer vacation.