When It’s Not About the “Boo”

How to recognize when a mobilized nervous system is shaping your reactions, relationships, and reality

In the main article, I shared a moment when Matt playfully surprised me with a simple “boo.” The surprise itself wasn’t particularly dramatic, but my reaction certainly was.

My body instantly tightened and I felt irritation. For a moment, I experienced the interaction as something much bigger than it actually was.

What struck me later was realizing that m…