The importance of being smiley

![20260702_134745 (1).jpg](https://images.hive.blog/DQmUy35f8h7Gn6pQdAd55WswL83PdWdRpHsyHmoD5y7ZCyj/20260702_134745%20(1).jpg)

I’m probably the furthest thing from a grumpy fucker that you’re ever likely to meet, and if anyone tries to tell you otherwise, they’re lying.

That’s not to say there isn’t plenty to be grumpy about. I got three horsefly bites today, and my arm has swollen to the size of a balloon, yet you don’t hear me complaining about that now, do you? Have any of you ever tried typing a Hive post with a balloon for an arm? Before I moved to the bloody countryside, I didn't even know Ireland had biting insects.

Anyway, nobody likes a moaner, and I rather like being liked. There’s simply no advantage to having people dislike you. It certainly doesn’t get you more presents at Christmas.

20260702_131849 (1).jpg

Besides, I’m the world’s leading authority on compartmentalising, so very few people have ever seen me at my worst. As I’ve explained so many times that even @theworldaroundme's cat probably knows the story by heart, I had a difficult home life as a child. As a result, I learned to separate thoughts and feelings into neat little mental compartments as a way of managing stress and maintaining focus.

I've spent a lifetime perfecting the art of parking unpleasant thoughts until a more appropriate moment, usually when I'm on my own. As I see it, a problem shared is a problem doubled. So yes, I'm something of a closet grump, as it were. Around other people, I do my best to exude positivity and show my happy face.

Smile and the world smiles with you, and all that jazz.

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Posted in response to Galenkp's Weekend experiences asking ' ' Are you a grumpy fucker? ".

The images are mine

Comments · 12

@hivebuzz(74)· 15d

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@riverflows(82)· 15d

Do you have nightmares? My love, with his compartmentalizing via difficult childhood, has nightmares, because feelings come out in dreams, rather than in waking life.

@agmoore(76)· 18d

Love the picture at the top of the page.

Around other people, I do my best to exude positivity and show my happy face.

I just don't understand how complaining makes anything better. As you say, maybe I developed this posture as a survival mechanism.

Sorry about the arm!! I never heard of apis. Just looked it up--closest I come to that is Manuka honey and clover honey. Bought these two types of honey a few months ago to help heal a shingles rash. They worked. Saw significant difference once I started using them. Sticky though :))

@lee1938(68)· 18d

https://x.com/i/status/2074232442043748716 #hive #posh

@beelzael(75)· 18d

I somehow had a feeling that you'd choose this topic, and more or less how the post was going to be... Yet reality is always better :-D

And I'm pretty sure you adjust your grumpiness always to the situation on order to bring out the best in people and create positiveness for the world!

@manorvillemike(73)· 18d

Compartmentalising, some moutyhful of a word I can't say fast or at all. ha ha

@waleedraza(57)· 18d

https://x.com/i/status/2074108263579447435

@clareartista(74)· 18d

As @owasco said: you don't happen to have a homeopathic remedy within reach do you? Apis might help a lot 🙏💫👋🤗

@davideownzall(74)· 18d

Horsefly, little annoying shitty insects... I'm glad we don't have that many here

A balloon arm is enough to become grumpy!

@theworldaroundme(75)· 19d

Haha, oh my. I can imagine you typing with a balloon for an arm, brave and not complaining! (Ouch!) I don't want to encounter horseflies! The downside of the fresh air countryside 😆

My cat says your story is safe with them, haha. 😻

Talking about brain compartmentalisation, I know this well and it is linked to mental health, and not everyone has it. It means you can function in very stressful situations. Most people who rise above difficult situations have these compartments in their brains. So you're blessed my lovely @deirdyweirdy! Hope your arm settles down soon. 💕

@shanibeer(73)· 19d

I always thought grumpy fuckers was something that happens to some men as they age. They occasionally get over it in their seventies or if they're given a serious shock, but otherwise they seem to settle into it like a comfortable but gradually disintegrating Lazee-Boy recliner.

@owasco(73)· 19d

a problem shared is a problem doubled.

True! I tend to keep my problems to myself as well, and for this reason. Well said!

and my arm has swollen to the size of a balloon

Apis!