Do you get tired of people telling you to Smile!" ?

[Pool Hall Ace]

I've been hearing it since I was a child. I was diagnosed with depression in 1981. And I'm sick of hearing it. Whenever someone says it, I just want to pound their skulls in. :grr:

Just curious if you ever feel that way.

[EFerrari]

1. Sure. It's the "nice" equivalent of "dance, stranger, dance".

People who say things like that are involved with their own stuff, not with you. They probably mean well but they're mostly talking to themselves, imho.

[qb]

2. I got that often in college and I wanted to kick their heads in too.

I'd think, "WTF? If I felt like smiling I'd smile." Their comfort level isn't my responsibility. I don't hear it much any more... due to either my mental health improving with therapy & meds or I'm hanging out with more accepting people.
:hi:

[Pool Hall Ace]

3. Sometimes when I'm not smiling, it isn't so much depression

as it is being deep in thought. Right now I have a lot going on: separation from husband, restraining order, getting out of debt, paying everyday bills, getting money for decent clothes so I can get a job, etc.

But you and EFerrari are correct. I'll keep in mind that it is their issue, not mine. :hi:

[mdmc]

4. I've actually made a concerted effort to smile

It is very hard to do when you suffer from depression.
I find when I force a smile on to my face, I feel a bit better.
I also try to have good posture. I find if I smile and stand tall, I feel better.
I also try to remember my Grammie and how much she loved me.
I try to remember how all of us pass on. I try to remember how God loves me.
I smile. I feel better.
Not always.
But I always try.

[EFerrari]

5. In the same vein, I found out that if I make a point to arrange my face

in a smile, I feel somewhat better after a while. Maybe I'm just very suggestible or something but, there it is.

[mdmc]

7. when i put a smile on my face, i instantly can look at the bright side

I find that when I am spent, depressed, feeling awful.. i find that my face forms a frown..
but if I try to smile, I can reflect easier on the good things in life .. or at least that this life is fleeting..
I reflect that negative karma must be burned up in order to allow good karma into your life..

I smile and the world seems to as well..

[Pool Hall Ace]

8. I can smile if I think of something funny

For instance, something that my brother has said, or a line from a famous comedian. Then, if people ask me why I'm smiling, I can't tell them, because it's either an inside joke or off-color. :D

[sakabatou]

6. Same here

I'm autistic and I hate it when people tell me how to express myself.

[Forkboy]

9. Thankfully, most people know me well enough to know it's a silly suggestion.

Not that I don't smile a lot, just that I'm not about to do it just because someone says I should. I'll smile when I'm ready, fuckers! :)

[david13]

10. A person looks, appears far more attractive when they are smiling,

they appear friendly and good natured.
When people say that, they are trying to help you. It is their idea, yes, but they are trying to give you something there, a gift.
No, I seldom if ever have thoughts of violence toward other people. I know that it won't work, and will only make things worse for me.
dc