Pre-Trigger Warning
In today’s world, it seems as though we’re constantly bombarded with trigger warnings before consuming any kind of media — whether it be Movies, TV shows, online articles, video games, or even Instagram captions. It’d be quite dizzying (and a feat) to avoid the neverending list of content prefaced as ‘potentially disturbing’ (but as always — I’m sure there is someone who tries).
TRIGGER WARNING
So — I’ll just get this out of the way now. Brace yourself: This blog post contains discussions of…deep breath in…. and out…trauma, anxiety, violence, addiction, politics, differing opinions, PTSD, parenting, secondhand glimpses at Adam Sandler films, the concept of belly button lint, and stepping on LEGOs in the dark.
That wasn’t so bad…. Right? I thought so.
But when did we become a society that required bubble wrapping or metaphorical safety cones to navigate the human experience? Hasn’t the beauty and joy in life sprung from having to solve new and uncomfortable situations since the beginning of time? Stumbling and picking yourself up “by your bootstraps” was once a rite of passage. Resilience was a treasured virtue. Have we closed this chapter? Or is it simply evolving?
Lights, Camera, Reality
Do you remember the days when the mere thought of watching a scary movie sent shivers down your spine? Well, these days, unless there’s a threat of an IRS audit, rattling the older generations it’s going to take a little more elbow grease.
Horror films began to gain popularity with the release of “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Friday the 13th,” and the “Halloween” franchise. Although the original releases appear mild now, they are industry icons. This started the first-ever rivalry among slasher films we witness today: who can be the most gory? Add as much blood, death, and violence as possible.
Fright night film fans could produce an in-depth review on production quality; but, after viewing several and reading several summaries, the idea, similar to rom-coms, remains the same. Everybody is killed by a monster. A girl and boy are about to fall in love. Before we even start watching, we already know how the story ends. Despite having been desensitized and conditioned, we continue to tune in, with a quart of Rocky Road ice cream at the ready.
When it comes to the news, a similar principle applies. We have become so accustomed to being confronted with gruesome photos and videos of crime scenes, devastation after storms, and live reports from war zones that it almost brushes right off (like the dirt on your shoulder — or whatever Destiney’s Child said). That being said, deflecting can be a great defense mechanism for protecting our mental health.
Allowing every emotion that comes your way to soak up into your being like a sponge will make you ‘come crashing down’ faster than the London Bridge. So don’t feel guilty for letting your ‘empath’ friend take the lead regarding current events. We can’t all be virtue-signaling social media activists.
Generation S
While keyboard warriors prepare to take centerstage from behind the comfort of their screens, most social media users scramble to avoid them. However, fear not delicately baked cream puffs. If you “scream” your latest negative opinion down the endless echo chamber loud enough — others will latch on. (There’s just something about a fragile ego and a flare for the dramatic aesthetic that revs a not-like-the-other-girls engine these days.)
You know who I’m talking about — the friends who need every conversation carefully wrapped between styrofoam peanuts and 6 in-depth trigger warnings. Just in case a movie quote from Legally Blonde was to slip out and send them into a quasi-feminist meltdown. (Please note that they are still trying to ‘process’ the mental distress of seeing you eat a hotdog yesterday.) *Eye Roll*
No matter how much sage they burn, sardonic status updates they make, or people they get canceled — their stress won’t seem to go away. But how did this era of pre-traumatized butterflies (who lack the tenacity to leave their house without an emotional support chihuahua in tow) get its wings?
Keeping up with Expectations
Once upon a time…. kids played outside, did chores, ate whatever food was being served, and even walked to school. When they received low marks in school, acted poorly in public, or used swear words they were punished. If they excelled in academics, athletics, or an after-school part-time job — accomplishments were rewarded. Seems like a relatively straightforward and fair system, right?
Keyword: Relative.
Of course, it’s not! It’s the perfect time to toss your copy of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” and get in on the hip, hands-off gentle parenting method. Why let a child learn how to earn recognition through hard work and dedication when they can get it by simply participating? Trophies for everyone! This wave of overprotective helicopter parents has a knack for ensuring their child faces no adversities in life, as they are “special and unique” — like a freshly falling snowflake.
Since the children living in these bubbles can do no wrong, all forms of punishment are considered abuse. While a toddler being sassy might be “cute”, the manager at their first job surely won’t see it that way.
Is raising a crop of young people who are more “in tune” with their emotions becoming detrimental to society? Without having to overcome life’s hard truths — it seems as though people are starting to melt under pressure.
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