The Struggle is Real: 10 Signs You May Have RHF
No, that's not a typo in the heading. I mean RHF, Resting Happy Face. It's just like RBF, but with different struggles. Those with it will understand and those without it will never understand. If you find that you're a grumpy cat with the frown upside down, you'll definitely identify with this list.
1. Whenever you get angry, no one takes you seriously...seriously, no one. It's hard to get your fury across when all you can do is smile. It's like they think you're just being cute or something. No, I am mad, and your condescending tone is making me madder.
2. People cannot tell if you are laughing or crying. When you get sad enough to cry, you don't leave that smile behind. It stays close to you like a super attached girlfriend. "Who is this sadness?! NOT ALLOWED!" Whenever you try to emote a sullen attitude, no one can tell and they invalidate your feelings, which probably makes you sadder.
3. People always assume you're happy and have no problems. I'm a human being, of course I have problems. I find that the people who smile the most are the people with the most going on underneath the surface. Do them a favor and ask them how they are doing. Just because we smile, doesn't mean we are happy.
4. You're approachable, which normally isn't a problem, but if you have social anxiety like me and introverted tendencies, it sucks. No, I don't want to have small talk or talk to strangers, or socialize at the gym. My smile is not an invitation to invade my personal bubble.
5. The opposite sex thinks you're flirting with them. I smile when I'm sad, happy, nervous, uncomfortable, anxious, mad, fearful... what makes you think this smile is a pickup trick. Unwanted advances cannot thwarted seriously when you smile apparently.
6. People ask you what is making you so happy. Just like RBF, people have to know why you are projecting your emotions on your face. Nothing, my face is just like this.
7. You couldn't even frown if you tried. I tried to frown once, it was painful.
8. You can't take serious pictures. Posing for my update license was torture because I had to keep a straight face and wasn't allowed to smile. What is my face like without my natural face? A sight I'll never show you.
9. No one suspects you have depression. You could have the worst depression, but no one will ever be clued in on it because all they see is smiles. When I told my friends about my depression, the majority never knew I had had it all these years. Had I been able to emote my inner turmoil on my face, I'm sure more would've caught on and offered support when I couldn't ask for help.
10. It's super hard to have a serious conversation with someone. If you have a friend come to you with a serious issue, it seems really inappropriate to smile during the conversation, but that's all you can do. Cue the relentless social anxiety that you are viewed as insensitive and cold. Your face distorts itself trying to look concerned, but it just turns into a pantomime of sorts. Watch the look of concern on your friends face appear as she realizes your face is spazzing out.
IF you related to this post, definitely share it with other sufferers of RHF or just with your friends on Facebook or other social media. Maybe it'll spread more awareness for such a little known problem. If you have any other signs of RHF or "that moment when..."'s, please share them in the comment section below. I'm curious to see if anyone makes memes out of this. Definitely post them below and I'll feature the best one.
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