Things That Make Me Say Ewww
15 Minute Freewrite
I am beginning this stream of conscientiousness with one word, ewww. I sit in my bookstore and the sounds of music are playing, wind, water, and a whole lot of coughing. I am disgusted, yes, I know people can cough, but this man sounded as if his lungs were coming out of his mouth. All I could think of is ewwww. Not even if he is alright.
I have had the same disgusted response to coughing long before Covid. In fact, I don’t like to be in proximity to anyone with bodily reactions that cause me to plug my mouth and nose in fear of catching whatever it is or smelling the burps and the farts. Ewwww.
I was germaphobic my whole entire life. I hated hand me downs. I remember I was about 4 years old in a winter storm in minneapolis. My mother and I were on the city bus headed to daycare. Once we got to the daycare, my feet were soaking wet and cold. The daycare lady handed my mom some lavender socks that I am assuming were someone else’s and my heart sank. I didn’t want to wear that. I am not even sure where this idea of wearing other people’s clothes was ewww came from but it was there from early childhood.
Later, people would give my mom clothes for me to wear and I would never wear them because ewww.
