Honestly? I only dug into this Virgo rising stuff ’cause my best friend flat-out told me, “Dude, your nitpicking is driving me nuts.” Ouch, right? So yeah, I figured, maybe it is that Virgo rising everyone keeps mentioning. Time to face the music.
Starting Point: Annoying Everyone Around Me
My initial goal wasn’t complicated. I just wanted to stop being the guy who ruins movie nights by pointing out continuity errors no one else cares about. Or the one who “helpfully” reorganizes the communal spice rack… again. I noticed my fiancée would tense up when I started tidying “her” side of the desk. Signs were everywhere.
The Deep Dive: Ugly Truths in My Notebook
I grabbed my trusty, battered notebook – the one I usually use for recipe experiments – and flipped to a blank page. Headed straight to my usual astro apps and a couple books gathering dust. This time, I wasn’t looking for the “organized and helpful” fluff. Nah. I searched hard for the bad stuff, the shadow side. What I found hit a little too close to home:
- Overthink Everything: Planning a simple weekend BBQ? I’d spend 3 hours comparing grill models online before realizing I already have one. Madness.
- Constant Critique (Even Inside My Head): Judging the barista’s pour technique? Mentally rewriting my boss’s email for clarity? Yeah, non-stop.
- Worry Engine Running 24/7: Minor stuff blew up in my mind. Slightly off avocado? Instant dread about food poisoning and ruined plans. Exhausting!
- Stubborn as a Mule (About Being “Right”): Found myself arguing over parking spaces just because my way was technically more efficient. Seriously?
Facing these on paper felt like a punch to the gut. This wasn’t just “quirky.” It was actively draining me and irritating people I love.
Trying to Fix It: From Faking It to Tiny Steps
My first attempt was brutal. Decided “Okay, today: NO CORRECTIONS. NO WORRYING.” Big mistake. Lasted maybe an hour before silently judging a guy’s inefficient grocery bagging technique at the store. Felt like a fraud.
I needed a real plan:
- The “Is This Necessary?” Pause: Before commenting on anything, asking myself this. Stopped myself from criticizing my mom’s slow phone typing technique. Huge win.
- Designated “Judgment Time” (Yeah, Really): Sounds weird, but giving myself 10 minutes a day to write down all the worries and criticisms swirling in my head actually helped trap them on paper, not in my interactions.
- Embracing “Good Enough”: Forced myself to use the slightly chipped mug. Booked the travel tickets that were almost perfect but saved $80. Felt weirdly liberating.
Where I’m At Now: Less Perfect, More Peaceful
Is my Virgo rising shadow gone? Heck no. Old habits die hard. But the biggest difference is awareness. I catch myself way faster now. That internal monologue yelling “WRONG! IMPROVE!”? I can actually notice it and often choose to ignore it.
My relationship feels lighter. Movie nights are actually fun again, even with plot holes. My spice rack reorganization needs have mysteriously vanished. Progress, not perfection. That’s the mantra. Still working on the worrying engine… baby steps.