Bizarre Involuntary Facial Expressions

[Pondering]

Okay, so I didn't start doing this until a few years ago, but - for some weird reason beyond my comprehension - whenever I'm looking at a vivid memory, my face sort of distorts into these odd expressions. And it's probably at least 65% out of my control, and happens at least once a day. And by 'bizarre', I mean almost to the point of being cartoonish, laughable, and disproportionate to the point that it looks like a human face shouldn't be able to distort itself to that extent. You know when you pause an animated movie at exactly the right moment when you get up to do something and there's that one character on the screen who's got the most unusual expression? Well, that's how it feels. Except, I don't want to laugh. I want to internally scream because it bothers me so much. And the weirdest part? I am NOT an animated or expressive person. And it doesn't matter what's happening around me at the time; if there's a memory, there's a corresponding face mirroring its mood. Again, I have no idea why this happens. Does this happen to anyone else?

 

[Li Li]

I make really weird faces when I am concentrated, like playing the piano. It is especially awful during concerts, I have to focus on facial expressions rather than on what I am playing. My fiance makes fun of me, but in a friendly way. I think it is okay to be weird sometimes, it shouldnt bother you too much. But I am sorry it does bother you.

 

[OkRad]

Yeah, me, too. No way to stop it except being aware of face 100% of the time and who can do that ? I no longer care. I am old enough that no one cares how I look

 

[Chance]

Some people call it the "resting BS face". I just blank stare out into nowhere a lot. Not real sure about any super weird expressions.

I make weird faces when Tourettes shows up and I get embarrassed over it.

 

[Suzanne]

I wouldn't say that my strange expressions are involuntary or may be they are, because it really winds my husband up, when I am talking about a memory and relive in. He says: why can't you just say it, without all the blasted emotions attached? I can't, it is as simple as that, because I am right there, in the memory.

Your description of video pausing, I am sad to say, is why I don't do youtube video, because my social phobia kicks in at the thought of me being paused with a really weird face. I know, vainty and all that, but it doesn't stop me from feeling horrible about the notion.

 

[Progster]

For some reason, people often think that I'm surprised or want to ask a question when I'm not, or that I'm worried when I'm not.