No excitement

LegacyUser

Going unregged cause this is really stupid and I know it.

Basically I don't know how to show when I'm excited or really really happy. I even feel uncomfortable showing it, like I'm trying to dance and suddenly everyone's stopped to look at me because I look so stupid. Showing sadness or anger is no problem, but showing when I'm really really pleased just doesn't work, and I end up looking angry because I feel so awkward and then everyone get's annoyed at me for being selfish. I can do normal happy, but ecstatic or thrilled or excited are a no-go.

For example - when I failed my driving test I rang my parents and OH bawling crying about how terrible it was and so unfair. When I passed I rang and said 'Oh, yeah I passed, I'll be home later' when inside I felt like I would burst with pride. When I got my dream car I didn't want to bring it for a test drive to show my friends, when inside I was jumping up and down screaming 'OH MY GOD, LOOK AT MY CAR IT'S SO PERFECT, I WANT TO LIVE IN IT'. If something great happens to me I tend to relay the news by text so I can play it down a bit.

Even though inside I might be screaming my head off on the outside I just can't show it. I tend to literally just shrug at things. I know it really upsets my OH which is why it's now getting to me. Everything is going amazing in his life and I can't show how happy I am for him. Give me romantic gestures and I can pull them off with ease but showing him how excited I am about his promotion? Meh.

I just want to be able to show when I'm really happy. I dunno if it plays into it but until 1 year ago I had a severe lack of confidence and was suffering from depression. Until I went to college I was also bullied (now in my last year of college). I just want to show emotions other than sad or angry.

biko

Tbh everyone look silly when they're really exited about something.
Jumping up and down and screaming on the top of your voice seem to be the thing to do these days.

blackbird98

it's probably a little bit of lack of confidence, you don't want to draw attention to yourself by getting all excited, i wouldn't worry about it, a lot of people are like that.

Terpsichore

It's sounds like you are absolutely normal with both feet solid on the ground: nothing to worry about!
Nowadays, we are bombarded with images of joy and happiness forged by Hollywood standards. Should we all be like that? Don't think so!
I prefer someone discreet to a happiness nut job bomb ready to explode at any moment.
Why isn't it enough to say congratulations to someone who gets a promotion? Why would we have to be exuberant all the time?
Be yourself.
You sound like you have an enormous experience of life already. That has taught you a lot. And I think you know better than just looking happy/politically correct. Not everybody is “gifted” with tv show hosts’ extravagant manners.
I’m with you! Just smile a bit and it all will be fine!

togster

OK all these extreme emotions are in effect an illusion created by you mind to make you feel "alive" when in essence you really are alive, you just don't know it because your mind is in constant flux. Try to slow your mind, distance yourself from it's patterns and behaviour.

RubyXI

Hey OP. I would be a bit similar. I feel silly being excited. I'm not great at showing emotion in general though. But i do feel like i'd attract too much attention if i showed emotion. I usually go with surly. I stay quiet where possible. Then everyone knows me for being quiet and surly so i feel i cant suddenly get excited and happy because i'd totally be drawing attention to myself. So i can't really get out of the situation i'm in.
Sorry OP that's of no help to you at all is it