Why can’t I just enjoy a win?

[batchaps4me]

Was thinking to myself today that we just beat a top 10 non conference team, and all I had to say about it afterwards was how sloppy we played.

Any e-psychologists have any theories as to why I’m so pessimistic with my sports teams?

To quote The Hound, "Experience".

 

[Diego Roll Tide]

If you can’t enjoy wins, just become a Vandy fan.

 

[DeafOranguntan]

Was thinking to myself today that we just beat a top 10 non conference team, and all I had to say about it afterwards was how sloppy we played.

Any e-psychologists have any theories as to why I’m so pessimistic with my sports teams?

It doesn't take a psychologist to figure this out. Deep down, you know that every win just takes you closer to your older brother humiliating you in the playoffs along the lines of O31-0 State, Notre Dame, and the Sooners. Just remember. Magic number is 35-6. You beat that, you did better against your bro than they averaged doing.

But seriously, it's pretty normal. You only get better if you focus on what you did wrong every week. There are things to improve in even 60-0 wins. I can't think of a Clemson game where I didn't have some criticism.

 

[Goldbug]

It's a sign you're a survivor and strive to be a winner. In your personal life you've struggled to get ahead and you expect your favorite team (which is getting some outstanding benefits for playing the sport) to NOT tackle like it has baby T-Rex arms and you want your offense to play like its sack is on fire. You see the flaws and you admit them. You aren't that doofus sitting behind you who is sighing every time you stand up and cheer.....you're the guy shouting "let's try the fucking touchdown play!!!". It's all about wanting yourself and your team to be the best you can be. If you don't murder any of your neighbors because of this game, you deserve to be on a stamp or something.

 

[Diego Roll Tide]

It's a sign you're a survivor and strive to be a winner. In your personal life you've struggled to get ahead and you expect your favorite team (which is getting some outstanding benefits for playing the sport) to NOT tackle like it has baby T-Rex arms and you want your offense to play like its sack is on fire. You see the flaws and you admit them. You aren't that doofus sitting behind you who is sighing every time you stand up and cheer.....you're the guy shouting "let's try the fucking touchdown play!!!". It's all about wanting yourself and your team to be the best you can be. If you don't murder any of your neighbors because of this game, you deserve to be on a stamp or something.

Be that as it may, if you DO murder your neighbors, give me a call. I have a couple of neighbors who need it, and I really hate to take time out of my schedule to bludgeon, hack, and maim.

 

[Deep Creek]

If you can’t enjoy wins, just become a Vandy fan.

Vandy can't even hold our jock strap when it comes to losing!

 

[kburjr]

It's called the Impostor Syndrome. You know that Georgia isn't all that and your fear losing more than enjoy winning.

 

[JuiceTheGator]

It's called the Impostor Syndrome. You know that Georgia isn't all that and your fear losing more than enjoy winning.

Badgers have the cure for this. They usually think they're going to the playoff after beating Central MI.

 

[xpuctaqpGT]

I think as a GT fan I'm not going to experience enjoying a win much this year...

 

[craigk217]

Was thinking to myself today that we just beat a top 10 non conference team, and all I had to say about it afterwards was how sloppy we played.

Any e-psychologists have any theories as to why I’m so pessimistic with my sports teams?

You are not exclusive … trust me.

<See thread>

 

[kburjr]

Badgers have the cure for this. They usually think they're going to the playoff after beating Central MI.

You spelled Ohio State wrong, but I understand your point.

 

[JuiceTheGator]

You spelled Ohio State wrong, but I understand your point.

 

[kburjr]

Son, I experienced 30 straight years with a losing record. Every win is gold. Enjoy and puff out that chest.(sprinkled with a couple winning seasons)

 

[JuiceTheGator]

Son, I experienced 30 straight years with a losing record. Every win is gold. Enjoy and puff out that chest.(sprinkled with a couple winning seasons)

My dad burned down my play fort in celebration after this game...the MFer.

 

[BigRedMoe]

You're the CFB equivalent of Randy Quaid in Major League. It's okay, I am too.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Was thinking to myself today that we just beat a top 10 non conference team, and all I had to say about it afterwards was how sloppy we played.

Any e-psychologists have any theories as to why I’m so pessimistic with my sports teams?

Serious response: I'm reading this book right now called "the paradox of choice." It was written about 15 years ago but a good read overall. His short premise is that too many options make it hard for us to 1) make decisions and 2) enjoy those decisions, which isn't relevant to your question. BUT, he also has several chapters on things like adaptation and comparison.

Essentially, adaptation means that when we get used to something being the new normal, such as winning lots of football games, it no longer suffices. We don't just want to win 8 games a year, we want 12. And we don't just want to win 13-10, we want to win them all 40-0. This is harder for blue blood fans than for fans of teams like mine, which have never really experienced any sustained success.

The comparison topic is all about how, no matter what we experience, it's only good in comparison to what others are experiencing. We might have beaten a top-10 team by 6 points, but some other team beat a top-20 opponent by 30.

Enjoying something on it's own face is extremely difficult for humans. We want "the best," even when that best is hard to define or very subjective.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Just become a Kansas fan instead.

The book says this exact thing. On page 180.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

If you can’t enjoy wins, just become a Vandy fan.

And it says this on page 182

 

[BigRedMoe]

My dad burned down my play fort in celebration after this game...the MFer.

That same Nebraska team beat Florida in the Sugar Bowl at the end of the season.

 

[kburjr]

My dad burned down my play fort in celebration after this game...the MFer.

I remember watching that game. It was also a friend of mine's birthday. We got so hammered and he had to play a gig at my favorite watering hole that night. He could hardly stand up but he made that guitar sing that night. I even recalled the first 2 songs the next day. After that things were a little hazy.