Nervous Habits
Here is a list of the things I think I do when I’m feeling a little anxious:
- Bite my lip
- Curl my lips inward and bite down
- Pretend to check the time
- Pretend to read a text message I “just” received
- Pretend to check anything else on my phone (email, web, google maps, weather, contacts, et cetera)
- Clean my iphone’s screen
- Fumble with anything within reach either on the table or on the ground
- Twirl my keys around my left index finger
- Fumble with my keys as if they were jabbing into my thigh
- Switch between sticking my hands in my front and back pockets
- Switch between crossing my arms and placing my hands in my pockets
- Become hyper-observant of my surroundings
- Apply lip balm
- Adjust the contents of my wallet
- Massage my wrists
- Stretch my neck around in an effort to loosen up
- Rub my left index finger against my lip or chin
- Stroke my hair
- Clean my glasses even if they’re clean
- Take a drink if I’m holding a beverage
- Pick lint off of my clothes
- Pop my knuckles
- Pop my ankles
- Pop my back
- If I’m standing, I kick my toes into the ground
- If I’m standing, I shift my weight from one foot the the other
- If I’m standing, I’ll stand on a small ledge
- If I’m wearing a hooded sweatshirt, I’ll have my hands in the pockets
- Pull up my socks and straighten them if they’re crooked
- Say something ridiculous, yet hilarious and embarrassing
- Start talking about something completely non-sequitur and random
I thought I only had two or three nervous habits before thinking up this list. Fact of the matter is that I can be extremely awkward, but I like that about myself.
