I’ve learnt something about myself this week, because I am nothing if not ever evolving. It turns out I absolutely thrive with a bit of positive feedback.
When I look back on my life, this should hardly be news to me, but I’ll get to that. My epiphany happened at the dentist, which I think we can all agree is not a popular spot for an epiphany. I think most of them are supposed to happen on mountain tops or perhaps whilst gazing out to sea. But no. Mine happened at DB Dental (not sponsored).
It was time for my annual check-up, which was the highlight of my holidays (grand final results notwithstanding) and I prepared for my appointment the way any normal person would: I brushed my teeth obsessively for 10 minutes and flossed properly for the first time since, well, a year ago. And yet, after carefully inspecting my teeth, my dentist declared that I have “excellent oral hygiene” and I legit felt 10 feet tall.
Yes, it turns out I get a real buzz out of being told I’ve done something well. I don’t think I could have felt any better unless he had also given me a little sticker that said “I Floss Like a Boss”. And now that I think about it, why didn’t he give me that sticker?
I can clearly remember my first trip to the dentist, when my mum must have carefully talked me through what to expect.
I was about four, and when I was shown into the treatment room and popped up onto the big dentist chair, I immediately opened my mouth as wide as I possibly could. The problem was that the dentist wasn’t actually in the room yet. But I was undeterred by this insignificant fact. I kept that gob agape, because it must’ve been the one instruction I was given. Eventually, the dentist came in, gave a brief look over my gaping chasm, nodded his approval, and turned to make some notes.
After several minutes he looked back at me and said, “You can close your mouth now” because if he hadn’t, my mouth would probably STILL be open. And now that I think about it, it kind of is. I was clearly motivated to be the best damn dental patient that dentist had ever seen. Did he give me a sticker? Yes. Yes he did.
Being told I’ve done a good job is extremely validating for me. I even got a weird sense of achievement the time my dog was sporting an “I was brave at the vet today” ribbon on his topknot when I picked him up after a procedure. Especially as I knew in my heart of hearts that he absolutely would not have been brave at the vet, nor compliant, nor easy to handle. Still, his ribbon said otherwise. Maybe it only applied to the time he was under general anaesthetic.
It’s always been a part of my DNA, I think. I would’ve done just about anything to score a scratch’n’sniff sticker shaped like a strawberry when I was in primary school. Those things were like crack to me, even though I found the aroma weird and nothing like an actual strawberry. We had a strawberry patch. I knew what those things were supposed to smell like. Still, a sticker that smelled of something when you scratched it? Yes. I’m all for it. And now that I’ve just googled them to see if they still exist (they do) I have discovered a magical place called the Teacher Superstore (also not sponsored) where they sell literally hundreds of merit stickers, so teachers can keep weird little nerds like me happy.
Are you allowed to order merit stickers from the Teacher Superstore (still not sponsored) if you aren’t a teacher? Asking for a strange, adult friend.
I can’t think of a better way to finish the day than to relax on the couch, reflect on the day’s achievements and award yourself a sticker that says “Clever Cookie” and smells like chocolate when you scratch it. Sign me up.
And because I am a diligent researcher (give me a sticker for that, while you’re at it), that same website also sells stickers for dentists. And there’s one with a picture of a shark that says “Absotoothly Jawsome” and now my life is complete.