Manspreading.

The word "manspreading" has become a bit cliché; however, everyone knows what you are talking about when you bring up this word. Although it feels sometimes that men tend to be the most guilty of this concept, it is not reserved only for men.

In the context that I will address today, it is less about actual physical space, and more about taking up emotional and mental space. I have other ways to describe it: taking up all of the oxygen in the room, not staying on your own "figurative yoga mat", chewing with your mouth open, the one-sided conversation, people who feel the need to tell you who they are, big loud polluting jacked-up trucks, listening to anything in public without headphones, someone insisting on showing you allllllll of the photos on their phone, or all of the photos from their recent vacation, etc. etc.

This concept has recently intrigued me, as I've become aware of my own unhealthy sensitivity and annoyance with people who invade my figurative space. Since being diagnosed with breast cancer, I have much less tolerance for bullshit. There is so much freedom in declaring your freedom and reducing your filter. With that said, I acknowledge the concept of "manspreading" is a trigger for me. I'm also aware that it is up to me to explore this trigger and find coping mechanisms to deal with this. So what's a girl to do?

I know I am not the only one. Am I right?

I haven't found any specific resources on this topic, but I think it is a concept I want to explore more deeply. Right now, I only have rhetorical questions:

Does this have to do with gender norms, childhood conditioning, and the overwhelmingly evident patriarchy?

Are empaths more likely to find annoyances related to manspreading?

What can be done internally when you find yourself triggered by someone taking up too much space?

I certainly don't have the answers, so I'm open to starting a discussion.