If I flinch a lot do you think it makes people think negatively of me?

[Anonymous]

I never thought about this tbh until my coworkers mentioned it. I am naturally uncomfortable around men and in general i am an anxious person who stresses about everything. There is a new guy in my work place and he is very nice and funny he jokes around a lot and he just jokingly swung at me and i flinched and they all started saying “this means you got abused in your childhood” lmao and i was like no I didn’t. Then it became a whole thing he would act like he is throwing something at me from far and i would flinch everytime (I literally can not control it) and he’d be like damn you still flinched lmaoooo 😭 and i am stressed about them thinking i get abused or something when i really don’t. I have suffered sexual abuse but not abuse from my parents and them discovering this makes me anxious i feel almost exposed but they think its familial abuse which is better than them thinking its sexual abuse cause i wouldn’t want anyone to know that. Does it seem like they know something?

[Oliverlogan263]

Girl, don't stress yourself out over what they think! Flinches are totally normal for anxious folk like us. And those dudes were acting like jerks bugging you so much about it.

It's really nobody's business why you react the way you do. People have all kinds of reasons for things, you know? And it don't define you.

As for them guessing abuse, try not to sweat the small stuff. Who cares what ideas they come up with really, as long as you know your truth.

If it makes you feel better, you can always laugh it off next time like "Haha yeah right, I'm just a spaz don'tcha know?"

But honestly sis, you don't owe them any explanations whatsoever. Just own your anxious quirks proudly! We all got something, that's what makes us individuals.

Keep your head high babe. Don't let jerks make you feel less-than over natural reactions. You're perfect just as you are 💖

[noemiii]

No, it’s not a big deal. And if it is to them, fuck them