Goblin Mode

Article#3

Goblin mode has been named the Oxford Dictionary's word of the year as it captures the mood of the year 2022.

And it is still trending.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

What is Goblin Mode?

It is a type of behaviour which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, greedy or slovenly, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations.

 Some examples of goblin mode are:

•      When you don’t bother to comb your hair and like to be in your comfy pyjamas for the whole day to take a more relaxed approach to get ready.

•      Wearing the same outfit for a couple of days in a row or going unshowered to work or somewhere out and it doesn’t bother you.

•      Binge-watching TV is when you watch your favourite series on Netflix for hours as if you’re on a mission to bring it to an end in a day.

•      When you prefer to take a day off to be snug in your bed with all your favourite junkies cluttered and sharing space around you.

How is Goblin mode beneficial?

It has some health benefits. It can be a powerful relief to permit yourself to be as you are during times of stress.

So, how does this help?

When we are stressed or under life’s constant pressure or even overwhelmed, our sympathetic nervous system breaks in which activates a fight response that can trigger our biological processes like an increase in heart rate, breathing heavily, and weaker digestion – things which can improve our chances of survivability in the possibility of danger.

Generally, this sympathetic nervous system is activated in threatening situations and helps our chances of survival by preparing our body to fight or flee. But nowadays, this can happen in situations like sitting in traffic for hours or having a really bad day.

During times of stress, there is a negative impact on our physical and mental health but when the stress levels are reduced, our parasympathetic nervous system is activated which allows our body and mind to calm down, relax and recover. This happens when we take proper rest.

We must have experienced that when we do meditation or practice yoga, we feel relaxed, and experience mindfulness and an instant boost in our body that is when our parasympathetic nervous system is activated. Likewise, our parasympathetic nervous system can also be activated when we shut down our electronics like a social media hiatus, allowing our body and mind to rest, shrug off our responsibilities for some time or reject social expectations or norms – things that we do in goblin mode.

So, Goblin mode allows us to rest, recharge, rejuvenate and reconnect.

Here’s a poem written on goblin mode which you can enjoy if you’re planning to go into it and having said that proudly.

Goblin mode

I shut the tweet, I mute the post,

I share no more instead I ghost,

I prefer to remain calm and composed,

To throw myself into goblin mode.

Now it's just me and my idiot box

A bowl of nachos and a cheers-to-toast

I want no one around, just myself to boast,

As I throw myself into goblin mode.

They attempt to swat and mock

And I riposte with a wicked caper

Because I am not bothered anymore,

As I throw myself into goblin mode.

Now I prefer to snug in bed and have pyjamas to don

Underdressed as you may say but I'm better off in my scruffy hair

My life might be on an occasional halt,

As I throw myself into goblin mode.

Now I care no more

And hereon, I'm loath to follow your social mores

I find peace like some spiritual abode,

As I throw myself into goblin mode.

It's better sometimes to slough and sloth

As you'll get ample time to do chores

I feel it imperative to pamper me a little more,

So, I throw myself into goblin mode.

It's another way to self-care

Whether you call it amour-propre or some other flair.

But I'll reappear someday as today I throw myself into goblin mode.

Caution: Do not overdo it

There may be times when you find it hard to come out of your goblin mode. At that time, you should ask yourself what you need. Is it physical rest, mental relaxation or emotional rejuvenation? Tell yourself that you’re overdoing it. If nothing works you can even seek professional help or consult a mental health provider.

If you like my blog posts and love to read poetry. Please do check out my poetry book ‘My Life on Canvas’ releasing in early 2024.

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