an old habit

How many of you have a habit you just can't kick? Some habits are normal and don't bother others. Mine, however, is such a quiet one, yet I think bugs the people that are around me. I can remember having this particular habit all the way back to first grade. I can remember sitting in my little chair and having a piece of hair in my hand and twirling it. I would twirl it for a few seconds, tuck it behind my ear and then pull it out. Then I would start the whole process again.

I tend to twirl my hair and not really notice that I am doing it. When it is a continuous thing someone will say something to me. I remember at work Linda commenting about me twirling my hair. It is always the same piece--on the left side just about an inch into my hair line right at the part in my hair.

When people see me doing it non-stop they asked if I am worried or stressed. The answer is usually "no". I don't think those two have anything to do with each other.

Lately I have found myself twirling ALL the time. If I pull my hair up into a ponytail I will leave the twirling hair out so I can keep twirling. Even at night, laying in bed, I lay on my left side, prop the pillow under my head a certain way so I can keep twirling. You would think it wouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately for me when my hair twirls around my finger it makes a small sound, believe it or not. And, since Jorge is laying right next to me and is super sensitive to sound (and light), he can hear it. I have been trying to do it quietly, where as to make no noise. I think I am getting closer.

There have been times when I haven't been able to twirl my hair. A few botched up hair cuts have left me without the ability to grab much hair to twirl. You would think since I have been doing it for so long I would go crazy if I can't. But, the truth is I didn't even think about twirling when my hair was so short.

Jorge always threatens he will cut off my "twirling" hair. He LOVES his hair so I just return the threat and it usually ends the conversation about it.

I really don't know why I do it. It feels good on my fingers. And, when it is longer I twirl the twirled hair around my ear. That feels really nice. I know, weird! If I am not twirling, the twirled piece of hair will be tucked behind my ear, just waiting for me.

I am not sure what the point to this blog entry is. Even though I have been doing it almost all my life, I still find it an odd habit and am curious to why I do it.