Gemotions

“Well, you gave it your best shot,” his wife said, placing a hand on his shoulder. He flinched at the platitude. His best shot had obviously not been good enough. He started walking faster as they passed a group of laughing people. He felt a wave of bitterness towards Sarah, the successful colleague.

He found himself becoming hyper-aware of his flaws. He critiqued his every action. His posture was too slouched, his hair was too messy, his shirt was creased. His wife noticed his sour mood, and asked what was wrong, but he just dismissed it, saying, “Everything’s fine.”

He spent the next few days in a fog of self-reproach, convinced that his failures were evidence of some fundamental deficiency. He started arriving late and leaving early, the office feeling increasingly like a cage.