Social Anxiety and Gnome Photography: Socializing by Deflecting Attention

The lovely Daylily at My Depression Chronicles asked about the meaning behind my garden gnomes. My apologies to Daylily and any others who find the gnomes creepy – it is my hope that you’ll anthropomorphize and love them as much as I.

Here is the story:

My dad Simon obsesses over things – he gets an idea in his mind and can’t move on until that idea is fulfilled. Over the years, he’s obsessed over cooking, kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, toy trains (Christmas-related), tattoos, boating, healthy eating, piano lessons, weight-lifting, singing lessons, spinning (exercise-related), electronics, photography, hiking, bird watching, golf…and garden gnomes.

One fateful date in 2004 he brought home a gnome and placed it in our garden. My brother Claudius and I thought it looked absurd, added a leprechaun pencil topper we found laying around, and took this picture -

First ever gnome picture

We christened him David (after David the Gnome)…and then stole him.

The little leprechaun we named Hershel and refer to him as a gnome.

Hershel the gnome

Then we acquired Joshua, Bernard, and Abe -

Joshua and Bernard the gnomes

Abe the gnome

Photographing gnomes has become central to my personality. For some people it’s my defining characteristic. I’ve boiled the reasons for gnoming to the following six:

First, the gnomes are a major coping strategy for the anxiety. They allow me to define myself as the weird gnome girl before others have a chance to assign a label. Plus, gnome photography is a great way to look busy at a social gathering without interacting with people and/or provides a great conversation starter. These gnomes have prevented many panic attacks.

Second, gnome photography is a great litmus test. I don’t bother with people who can’t find the humor in this hobby. Strangers will often stare, smile, and/or laugh when they notice. Once, in Philadelphia, a woman interrupted herself on the phone to say “There is a girl taking a picture of a gnome in front of City Hall!” I brightened her day. Sometimes I wonder how many people went home and said, “I saw the weirdest thing today…”

Notice the police officer in the background

Third, they give me a purpose in my downtime, as any hobby should.

Fourth, they fulfill a strange socialization quotient without necessarily socializing. I try to avoid being the center of attention at all costs, so gnome photography might seem counterintuitive, as it draws attention; however, it draws attention to the gnomes, not to me, and it is funny attention. I can go out, take some photographs, share a nod with a few strangers, and feel fulfilled.

Fifth, I avoid being in photos as much as possible so the gnomes act as my stand-in.

Sixth and most importantly, it’s funny. Above anything else I want things to be funny.

This one is my favorite. Circa 2005

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Posted by KM on December 31, 2012

http://anxietyadventures.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/social-anxiety-and-gnome-photography-socializing-by-deflecting-attention/