What Are Your Favorite/Most Effective Ways of Expressing Yourself?

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seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
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4,580
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#1
Hi Everyone,

As most can probably tell, communication is a big thing with me. I am fascinated by the ways in which people communicate with each other and am always looking for better ways to help people communicate.

What are your own favorite and most effective ways of expressing yourself?

For instance, a while back, I asked a young person I knew if she would share some of her artwork with me. Most of her drawings were of faces styled similarly to "The Nightmare Before Christmas", and in every single picture... the mouth was always sewn shut. I remember thinking, "Oh honey... What, or who is it that makes you feel like you can't say what you're thinking?"

At the time, I was thinking about all the things that were being communicated in those pictures without a single word. I know what those images were saying to my own soul-- and I wished very much that I could "speak" to her in "her own language" by drawing a picture in return that would somehow say, "I understand... Will you tell me about it?" Even though I told her to please text me anytime she needed to talk, it was one of the many times when words fell short, and I was really at a disadvantage because words are my primary form of communication.

Over the past several months, I've seen a couple movies in which a main character communicates through sign language, which I find to be fascinating, and very much like a dance. I have to wonder, does a person who uses sign language to, let's say, rant about a situation that's troubling them feel the same sense of relief that I might after I go on a 20-minute tangent to a friend?

How about the rest of you?

* What ways do you choose most often to communicate or express yourself? Do you talk, write, draw, sing, paint, cook, work out... or just go quiet?

* When you want someone to understand what you're thinking or feeling, what do you use to you express your thoughts to them?

* When someone else is trying to communicate to you, what means of communication do you prefer that they use? What is easiest for you to understand?

* How do you resolve the conflicts that can arise when you are trying to communicate with someone who uses and/or understands a different form of communication than you do?

One thing I have learned about myself is that expression through writing is very important to me. If I got into a relationship, I would have to tell him right off the bat, "If I suddenly go quiet, it's not because I don't care or am ignoring you. It's because I'm trying to think of what I want to say--and quite possibly, in written words."

There might be times when, instead of talking, I would hand the person a booklet-sized letter, which is something I couldn't explain when I was younger, and so I would use speaking, which I'm just not quite as good at. Now of course, since I do use words, it's easiest for me if the other person can also explain themselves in words, whether in speech or text, but I realize not all people can do that, so I'm trying to get better at communicating with people who like to express themselves in other ways.

The reason I have written these last two threads is because lately I have been trying to express things I don't even know how to communicate, and for some reason, my style of choice--words--are falling woefully short.

And so, I was hoping you all would give me some ideas about what works--and doesn't work--for you.

I am very much looking forward to reading your answers. :)
 

Tommy379

Notorious Member
Jan 12, 2016
7,589
1,151
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#2
I like to talk, or write. I'm better at writing. My written vocabulary is much higher then spoken. Mostly because of my accent, I can't pronounce most the words I know.

I'm not an artist, or a poet. I find the older I get, the less I enjoy music.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
113
#3
I like to talk, or write. I'm better at writing. My written vocabulary is much higher then spoken. Mostly because of my accent, I can't pronounce most the words I know.
I've always thought that writing is its own art form, and unfortunately, disappearing from our society. Handwriting especially seems to be going the way of the dinosaurs, and it's such a tragedy because I've always seen handwriting as our own personal font from God. :)

I am always very appreciative when someone makes an effort to write.

Also... I've heard you speak, Tommy, and you don't give yourself enough credit by far.

The pronunciation is the best part.

Southerners have a way of making every word sound like music. :)

(I've often said that if someone with the right accent cussed me out, all I'd do is sigh and tell them, "Say it again!") :)
 

Mel85

Daughter of the True King
Mar 28, 2018
10,910
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#4
I like to talk, and also like to write songs or poems (only short ones). I don’t do it all the time only when I’m in the mood.

I also like to express through body language - depending who it is of course.
 

Mel85

Daughter of the True King
Mar 28, 2018
10,910
6,894
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#5
I like to talk, or write. I'm better at writing. My written vocabulary is much higher then spoken. Mostly because of my accent, I can't pronounce most the words I know.

I'm not an artist, or a poet. I find the older I get, the less I enjoy music.
Do you have a hard southern accent?
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
113
#6
I like to talk, and also like to write songs or poems (only short ones). I don’t do it all the time only when I’m in the mood.

I also like to express through body language - depending who it is of course.
Even though writing is my thing, I have to be in the right mood for it, too.

Sometimes it gets complicated. Not only do I have to be in the mood to write, but I get in different moods to write different things. Sometimes I'm in a mood to just have a written chat. Other times I'll be in a mood to write an email. And then there are times when I feel like writing threads and starting discussions, like right now.

I can very much be in the mood to write one thing and not the other, so if anyone sends me an email and wonders why I take forever to answer, I apologize. I WILL answer--I'm just waiting for enough time to digest what you said and to get in the right mood to be able to form a coherent response.

And if I'm not in the mood to write at all, forget it. I know some people can push past that block, but I'm not one of them, which is another reason why I would most likely never write professionally.

Nothing would stress me out more than a looming deadline (tomorrow!!!) and a blank piece of paper (or screen.)
 

Tommy379

Notorious Member
Jan 12, 2016
7,589
1,151
113
#7
Do you have a hard southern accent?
More like a low brow, trashy, redneck accent....I think. Seoulsearch may think it's better. To be honest. I avoid listening to recordings of myself.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
113
#8
More like a low brow, trashy, redneck accent....I think. Seoulsearch may think it's better. To be honest. I avoid listening to recordings of myself.
Tommy has an amazing accent (as do many people here on this forum). He is the kind of person that you could listen to all day, not only because of his voice and accent, but because he has had a fascinating life.

The funny thing is, I was raised in the Northern United States but have always been fascinated by Southern accents and culture--I have even considered moving there because of it--and this forum seems to have surrounded me with an entire herd of Southerners.

Me, a poor, defenseless, helpless little Yankee, trying to hold my own against all this Southern aggression. :( :p

Kind of like how I've always wanted to be a redhead but God just seems to send me a barrage of redheaded friends instead.

He always seems to have a way of teasing me.
 

Tommy379

Notorious Member
Jan 12, 2016
7,589
1,151
113
#9
Tommy has an amazing accent, as do many people here on this forum.

The funny thing is, I was raised in the Northern United States but have always been fascinated by Southern accents and culture--I have even considered moving there because of it--and this forum seems to have surrounded me with an entire herd of Southerners.

Me, a poor, defenseless, helpless little Yankee, trying to hold my own against all this Southern aggression. :( :p

Kind of like how I've always wanted to be a redhead but God just seems to send me a barrage of redheaded friends instead.

He always seems to have a way of teasing me.
Red hair is most often found in a bottle.

I think northern girls like a little southern aggression.
 

Mel85

Daughter of the True King
Mar 28, 2018
10,910
6,894
113
#10
Does being a redneck mean that you’re a racist? Just a question....don’t get mad lol
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
113
#11
Does being a redneck mean that you’re a racist? Just a question....don’t get mad lol
(Sorry... I'm sure Tommy will answer this and I don't mean to answer for him but...)

Tommy is one of the least racist people you will ever meet.

As for "redneck"... I'll be curious to see what his definition of that is as well, because anyone who gets to know him wouldn't see him as being one. :)
 

Tommy379

Notorious Member
Jan 12, 2016
7,589
1,151
113
#12
Does being a redneck mean that you’re a racist? Just a question....don’t get mad lol
Of course, but so is EVERYONE else on this earth.
 

Tommy379

Notorious Member
Jan 12, 2016
7,589
1,151
113
#13
(Sorry... I'm sure Tommy will answer this and I don't mean to answer for him but...)

Tommy is one of the least racist people you will ever meet.

As for "redneck"... I'll be curious to see what his definition of that is as well, because anyone who gets to know him wouldn't see him as being one. :)
A redneck is someone who works out in the sun all day. They get a sunburnt neck.
 

Tommy379

Notorious Member
Jan 12, 2016
7,589
1,151
113
#15
If you don't think everyone is a racist, take a look around society. People self-segregate. I noticed it in Junior high, and it continues to this day. All the black kids sit on one side of the cafeteria, while the whites are on the other. Same goes for where middle-class families, choose to live, and even shopping malls they choose to visit.

Scientific research has been done on race and preferences to familiarity.
 
J

Jennie-Mae

Guest
#16
I don’t like expressing myself using a smartphone. The words comes out so slowly that what I’m saying is like listening to Delta Dawn on sleeping pills. Oh, btw, a smartphone hates Southern accents. It wants you to talk like the (wo)man on the six o’clock news, like Don Williams sang in “Good Ole Boys Like Me”. Rest In Peace, Sir.
 

Pipp

Majestic Llamacorn
Sep 17, 2013
5,536
2,701
113
Georgia
#17
Tommy has an awesome voice.
And as a fellow southerner that's says a lot cause I'm not a huge fan of southern accents (even though I have a little one)


I prefer to talk it out or from time to time if I find a song that says what I feel I'll send it..with lyrics so you can see what I see.
 

Tommy379

Notorious Member
Jan 12, 2016
7,589
1,151
113
#18
Tommy has an awesome voice.
And as a fellow southerner that's says a lot cause I'm not a huge fan of southern accents (even though I have a little one)


I prefer to talk it out or from time to time if I find a song that says what I feel I'll send it..with lyrics so you can see what I see.
I'm loving you and seoulsista tonight.