Proluctance

Cover image for the Proluctance word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Proluctance

n.
the paradoxical urge to avoid doing something you’ve been looking forward to—opening a decisive letter, meeting up with a friend who’s finally back in town, reading a new book from your favorite author—perpetually waiting around for the right state of mind, stretching out the bliss of anticipation as long as you can.

Latin pro-, forward + reluctans, resisting. Pronounced “proh-luhk-tuhns.”

Eftless

a person with hands pressed on a window

Beloiter

a person sitting at a slot machine

Ringlorn

Cover image for the Ringlorn word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Los Vidados

Cover image for the Los Vidados word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Addleworth

Cover image for the Addleworth word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Irrition

a close up of a dandelion