Seriously, just absolutely fabulous!

Except for the never-ending spell checker, and the occasional perusal through a thesaurus to make sure the word I want to use is actually the word I need to use, I write pretty much like I talk.

I tend to be extremely verbose and will repeat myself several times, only rephrasing, to the chagrin of both myself and all those around me.

Since I began blogging, and Twittering, and Facebooking, writing nearly everyday, I have become painfully aware of what must be for all of you ~ since it has become a persistent irritation for me ~ a nearly mind numbing vexation of constantly reading or hearing me repeat the same few words over and over until you think your ears will bleed.

I cannot seem to break the addiction of these few annoying terms:

• just
• absolutely
• definitely
• fabulous
• seriously

So you don’t feel alone in your misery, I also over use these in every day spoken conversation. I know there are many others, but to list them all would be too mortifying.

Until recently, I had never thought about how often I use the word “just.” Now, even when it’s warranted, I try to find a substitute because I used up my allotment, my lifetime allotment, all in the past few months, if not weeks.

I do know that I’m stuck in a rut, know I use the same few adverbs, the same hyperbole to the point I should be jabbed with stick until I stop. I even know what my trigger words are. I try to catch myself, to break the chain of abuse, but it’s as if my brain says, “Stop!” and my mouth says, “Absolutely!”

Instead of clicking “select all” to find all my misspellings and grammar gaffes, I do a “find all” to search and destroy my list of offending words.

Just be aware, that I absolutely know that I seriously have a problem, and I’m definitely working on a solution. Your continued support would be fabulous!

When I received this week’s Scriptic prompt, it made me think of this piece I wrote more than THREE years ago. Imagine my horror, when I realized it holds true today. So much for breaking bad habits. I continue to double-check everything I write, removing gratuitous “justs.” Only now, I have to add “still” to my list of overused verbiage.

For the Scriptic prompt exchange this week, kgwaite gave me this prompt: misspellings and misconceptions.

I gave Michael this prompt: Like it never even happened.

*From the Vault of IMSO, originally published 11/11/08. Edited and updated.