Brooke! I love this so much, and I hope you wrote it because you wanted to, not because I said you should. I'm glad you did write it, though—not only are there so many sentences I want to quote here (your writing has such a lovely sense of humor) but because it makes me want to give you a big ol' hug.
I've never been able to hang with horror or thrillers. I totally understand your perspective (which I'm sure a lot of horror fans share), but I've always felt that life is so stressful already that it wouldn't make sense for me to add more in for funsies. So I seek out comedies and Wes Anderson films and books about how the world is really beautiful if only we care to look etc etc. It feels a little silly sometimes—I was literally a 911 operator for 3 years, why can't I watch a horror film I know is fake?—but mostly I find it funny and cute that we all have such vastly different strategies.
Thank you for sharing this piece of yourself with us in such a fun and sweet way <3
Omg of course! You totally inspired me to write it. I hadn’t thought of this time in my life in a long time and it felt nice to reflect on it in comparison of where I am now.
Okay a 911 operator??? Thank you so much for doing such a crazy difficult job, and for so long. Everything I learn about you just continues to convince me that you’re the coolest person!
Not so much a franchise but I’m a big fan of anything spooky/demon-y. Loooove Insidious. Looooove when the family buys the old house looking for a fresh start and BOOM GHOSTS. I also love a lot of A24 horror movies, especially Hereditary.
I actually know quite a few girls who love horror films and they are always the ones I least suspected.
I'd say I'm the same (or was the same) with romance novels (especially the historical - regency ones, with lots repression and angst). for the longest time i suffered from avoidant attachment style (not that I would admit it and called it that). I was strong and independent, and really didn't care for men long term. A one night stand? Sure. Friends with benefits? yes, please. Situationship? Don't mind if I do. But any real healthy relationship - I just couldn't and didn't know how. I guess those romance books I was obsessed with (to everyone's surprise since I was so 'unromantic') let me experience all these emotions, the vulnerability and heartbreak in a 'controlled environment'. Once I sorted myself out in my late 30s and finally opened myself up, met someone, got married, I stopped reading them so much. It's now just an occasional guilty pleasure.
Brooke! I love this so much, and I hope you wrote it because you wanted to, not because I said you should. I'm glad you did write it, though—not only are there so many sentences I want to quote here (your writing has such a lovely sense of humor) but because it makes me want to give you a big ol' hug.
I've never been able to hang with horror or thrillers. I totally understand your perspective (which I'm sure a lot of horror fans share), but I've always felt that life is so stressful already that it wouldn't make sense for me to add more in for funsies. So I seek out comedies and Wes Anderson films and books about how the world is really beautiful if only we care to look etc etc. It feels a little silly sometimes—I was literally a 911 operator for 3 years, why can't I watch a horror film I know is fake?—but mostly I find it funny and cute that we all have such vastly different strategies.
Thank you for sharing this piece of yourself with us in such a fun and sweet way <3
Omg of course! You totally inspired me to write it. I hadn’t thought of this time in my life in a long time and it felt nice to reflect on it in comparison of where I am now.
Okay a 911 operator??? Thank you so much for doing such a crazy difficult job, and for so long. Everything I learn about you just continues to convince me that you’re the coolest person!
i loved reading this — i'm the quintessential scaredy cat so i enjoyed living through your horror obsession / using it as a coping mechanism!
Thank you, Alix!! Nothing wrong with being a scaredy cat! 🙀
Mustard thanks you for sharing this! They used to be terrified of horror films but now they find comfort in them.
Like you said - you are in control and know you are going to be scared. That mindset helped change things so much.
Do you have a favorite horror franchise?
Not so much a franchise but I’m a big fan of anything spooky/demon-y. Loooove Insidious. Looooove when the family buys the old house looking for a fresh start and BOOM GHOSTS. I also love a lot of A24 horror movies, especially Hereditary.
This is so interesting!
I actually know quite a few girls who love horror films and they are always the ones I least suspected.
I'd say I'm the same (or was the same) with romance novels (especially the historical - regency ones, with lots repression and angst). for the longest time i suffered from avoidant attachment style (not that I would admit it and called it that). I was strong and independent, and really didn't care for men long term. A one night stand? Sure. Friends with benefits? yes, please. Situationship? Don't mind if I do. But any real healthy relationship - I just couldn't and didn't know how. I guess those romance books I was obsessed with (to everyone's surprise since I was so 'unromantic') let me experience all these emotions, the vulnerability and heartbreak in a 'controlled environment'. Once I sorted myself out in my late 30s and finally opened myself up, met someone, got married, I stopped reading them so much. It's now just an occasional guilty pleasure.