I’ve been writing in coffee shops lately because there’s a ghost in my apartment.
No, I haven’t really been able to prove it, but every so often some small thing will be out of place, or some small noise will come from the dark that shouldn’t. Some of this stuff is pretty minor and weird, but the other night I was dead asleep and suddenly the buttons on my microwave started beeping. A few nights later it happened again while I was writing. I had a firm talk with it (the microwave of course), but that seemed to make it more difficult to clear whatever buttons were being pushed by some seemingly harmless entity.
So I just unplugged the damn thing.
But ever since, I’ve been a bit shaken up. I think it will get better with time. It only seems to be happening in the kitchen area, which is good because that’s not where I sleep. However the kitchen area just so happens to be right by the bathroom area, so it makes it difficult to creep into the bathroom to do things like brush my teeth and pee, because I’m always so nervous something bizarre is going to happen.
Fear is an interesting thing. It’s a choice. But what gets me thinking about this situation is my upbringing, which let’s face it, was always filled with monsters and traumatizingly scary movies. Not to mention how obsessed my mom’s side of the family seems to be with anything paranormal. All of this factored into it really makes for a horrific experience with what seems like a very innocent little ghost. Also a large part of me feels like my imagination is making it far worse than it really is. I don’t know for certain whether or not there is something paranormal there, but I know weird things have happened and that I live in a super old building. Which means everything from a creak to a horn honking outside makes my heart stop and then race with all kinds of scenarios of me being dragged out of bed and/or possessed or pushed or whispered to.
I should remember my line therapy. I should also remember what my dad always used to say, that it’s all in my head. I do love living on my own but this fear over the past few days has been seriously crippling. I won’t get out of bed to pee or brush my teeth or take my contacts out. I won’t go home after work, I won’t sleep, it’s bad. And what makes the entire thing worse is that I can’t work. I can’t read, I can’t go on the computer, nothing. Crippling fear. And it all started with the damn microwave beeping! Before that I was slightly aware that it could be haunted but it didn’t bother me as much. Now with this whole beeping thing, it’s shaken me up bad.
I think the best solution is to remember that I am never alone, that I am grateful to have a place of my own to bunker down in, and that love is my resistance to anything frightening. I always relax when I remember love. Maybe that is because it’s more powerful than fear.
Now while this strange fear has kept me from being productive at home, I will admit it’s made me 10 times more productive in coffee shops. Since I go to coffee shops to write after work, it’s easier to actually get work done versus doing it at home and being distracted by everything. So by that I mean I’m half way done with my e-book! The one I mentioned last post that I’m going to be giving away as a reward to new subscribers. It’s going to be called “Adult Toys: For Bloggers, Writers, and Wanna-be Entrepreneurs.” I’m going to make it as attention-grabbing as possible, because I know what you’re thinking already you dirty thinkers! But I’m using dirty minds to my benefit. If it shocks and attracts people, then that’s my goal. I’m taking George Lois’s advice on this one.
“Advertising should grab you by the throat, should choke you, your eyes should water, your heart should race, and you should almost pass out. ”
Bear in mind I don’t want you to pass out, but I know that anyone who creates anything these days has to make it something people will never forget. And I’m in the market for creating unforgettable stuff. You’ll probably forget what the e-book was about, or even who the writer was, but you probably won’t forget the title. Or the front cover. Which I’m trying to figure out what I want to be. Something risqué in a crazy blogger, writer, and wanna-be entrepreneur kind of way.
We only get one shot at this life thing right?
Monique is an exceedingly happy human from LA. She runs the blog A Novel Quest, and writes. A lot.
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Hi there! Welcome to my blog! I love, love, love talking about all things metaphysics, writing, and blogging. My hope is that you leave here feeling much better than when you came. It's great to see you!
