Self
Why the Hedgehog Problem Pricks Your Need for Human Connection
Navigate your fear of negative evaluation to live better and be happier.
Light beamed into the small bedroom through the tan and orange Parisian windows. Julie was fast asleep next to me, looking beautiful and without a care in the world. As I came to my senses, I knew something was off. The room was too bright.
I glanced at the clock and realized we’d slept past our alarm. Our flight was leaving in 90 minutes and the airport wasn’t across the street. I shook Julie awake and we scrambled to gather our belongings. Ten minutes later, we stood on the street, frantically waving down cabs. One pulled up, driven by a brown haired middle-aged man who spoke English. We got in and I said, “We are very late. Can you get us to Charles de Gaulle Airport, quickly?” I was surprised as he suddenly floored it like 007, with zero regard for traffic laws or anyone’s safety. Julie and I started bickering in the back. She turned and barked at me, “I told you to make that alarm louder!”
In the infinite wisdom of a 22-year-old, I said, “Oh would you just calm down?” Her eyes flared and she hissed back, “No you calm down! This is your fault!” Then I noticed the stone-faced cab driver making eye contact with me in his rearview…
