Keith C. Milne, Author
Every once in a while, the English language needs a new word to capture something we all recognize but can’t quite put into one term. For me, that word is:
Hyper-Vigilism (noun)
Definition
The state of being extremely, sometimes excessively, vigilant — constantly alert, watchful, or on guard, often beyond what the situation demands.
Why This Word Matters
We have “hyper-vigilance,” which describes an intense state of alertness, usually in psychology. But hyper-vigilism expands on that idea. It’s not just a condition; it’s a practice, a tendency, even a mindset.
It describes the people who:
- Double-check every door lock twice.
- Obsessively monitor news headlines or stock tickers.
- Anticipate problems before anyone else even notices them.
Sometimes hyper-vigilism protects us. Sometimes it wears us out.
Why I’m Sharing It
I coined this word myself — yes, have fun finding it in any current dictionary, and my spell checkers still insist it’s “wrong”! But new words have to start somewhere. Shakespeare, after all, added over 1,700 words to English. Why can’t we contribute our own?
I’d love to see hyper-vigilism take root and spark conversations about when vigilance becomes a way of life, and when it tips into excess.
Join Me
Try using it in your own writing, conversations, or even self-reflection. Does hyper-vigilism describe you? Someone you know? A moment you’ve had?
Language grows when we use it.
