Ehhhh, uhhhh….ick
Tiny quirks that test our patience….
Hiya! After a gorgeous run of bluebird days in Vermont, things are cooling off this weekend. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to let us know how we’re doing (and what you want more of!) last week. If you missed it, take two minutes and let us know. But for now, it’s time for something none of us can escape…
Ick. You know the feeling…
Ick.
You know the feeling. An instant recoil when someone does something small, weird, or just off.
Chewing dinner like a farm animal. Incessantly clapping after movies or flights. Leaving the sponge in the sink. And wearing socks with sandals…in the middle of July.
(Seinfeld built a TV show around “icks.” Literally every episode revolved around these human quirks.)
The ick is real. Once you feel it, it’s hard to shake. And no, the ick isn’t just for dating. It happens in every part of life. Because if you spend enough time with anyone: a roommate, a co-worker, a celebrity crush or your partner of 7 years…
And you’ll discover their quirks. Probably several. If we’re honest, we all hand out “icks” of our own too.
But not everything is a dealbreaker.
Some research says this feeling evolved to keep us safe from disease.
But in modern life? It kicks people out of our circle for breaking tiny, subjective rules (or preferences.)
“Love is persevering against the ick,” one researcher said. That landed. Because connection requires tolerance.
Think about it:
The co-worker who hums while they work…
The family quirks that make you roll your eyes…
The messy roommate who blasts Dave Matthews on repeat…
None of those are dealbreakers. They’re just…life with people. And guess what?
Life with people is weird. Life with people is messy. Life with people is…interesting. Isn’t that the point? And if you get turned off and replace them with other people, there’s another unsuspecting ick hiding around the corner.
It’s human nature. Inescapable.
3 tiny practices to tolerate the “ick”
🔁Flip it. Ask yourself: what’s quirky here that’s really human?
🔍Zoom out. Remember the whole person, not the one weird habit.
Maybe the ick says more about us than them. Because quirks are inevitable and patience is required. Without it, the alternative is a lonely life where everyone gets cut off for those zip-off pants that I can’t stand because they’re so….
(Wait, just caught myself 😂)
Until next time,
P.S. Dig what we’re doing? Want something different?
If you missed our (super) quick survey from last week, take two minutes and complete it! 🤞
