Question:
Hiya all!
I was going to reply to Narmi's 'Mind and Motivtion' thread but felt like I was hijacking it so Ive started this!
I have, over the last few days had a very similar (if not identical) experience to Narmi.
Having previously suffered from depression/anxiety, I have felt over the last few months that I have been 'slipping' back into my old ways and not feeling too good.
If any of you have gone thru this, you know what I mean. For those who dont (you are very fortunate!) what I mean is a feeling of doom, sadness, closing down and shutting myself down-both emotionally and physically.
However!! A few days ago I had a moment of clarity! (dont laugh!)
I just sat there thinking about my life, how lucky I am, how feeling the way I feel is no way to be for the rest of my days-and I basically kicked myself up the ass!
I wrote myself a 'to do list' of all the things I would like to be done by the end of the following night.
These just included the everyday things (mainly to give myself a feel good factor when I ticked them off, also to give myself a sense of credit for the jobs I do everyday that go unnoticed by myself). They also included the things I put off everyday (like phone the INland Revenue[:@]!)
The next day I worked thru them and ticked them off! I even went to the gym!
The sense of achievement and the lightness of my mood was so strong-it was like I was buzzing!
Dont get me wrong tho-Im not saying writing a list gets rid of depression!
I found that I was still in the same mindset BUT I somehow talked myself thru it and came out the other end. Not once, but about 10 times during the day-but thats ok. I got the jobs done and felt fab!
For instance, once Id made one phone call and the dreaded IR call was next on my list, I would think 'oh Ill do that tomorrow now, I cant be bothered'. But Id talk myself thru it and give myself a bit of a praise for how far thru the list Id come and how good Ill feel when the call with the IR was finished!
In a way it was sort of like talking/nuturing/encouraging a child!!
I have also used the same stratergy for the blues and I must say it is extremely affective.
Almost I have stopped myself in my grumpy tracks and looked at the bigger picture. Its like I can really change my moods/way of thinking if I stop and listen to the negativity/unreasonable thinking of my mind and talk it thru with myself!?
Im gonna stop now because I sound a wee bit strange!!!
Tx
Not strange at all ! I can totally relate to you and suffer from anxiety regularly. Having seen a therapist who has helped me to turn my negative thoughts into a positive and shut up the internal chatter of " I cant do or it wont be any good for me" (which has been reinforced over the years by others) I know where you are coming from.
I think you have the right idea to break what seems like a mass of problems into chunks of do able pieces and sort of coach yourself into getting them done. Well done and keep on going. Each completed task is a boost to your self esteem and confidence.
By posting your feelings and the way you deal with them you are helping others believe me !!
All the best
Sharon
Aw thanks Sharon, what a lovely reply [sm=hug.gif]
It definatley seems to be working for me!
Baby steps eh?!
Tx
Hi Tx,
One thing which we have in common. We seem to need to "tell" ourselfs to go and do it! However, I still don't understand one thing. Why did I feel so motivated out of the blue. Why did you realise how lucky you are out of the blue?
What was so different about that day?
Best wishes
Narmi
Hiya Narmi,
I dont know!!!!
It was like a switch. something just clicked and I thought 'hang on, I cant be like this forever' was it the same for you?
Maybe its the same as what makes an alcoholic seek help or a smoker suddenly try and change their habits and pack in smoking?
Maybe it is just the same as any addiction, sometimes you get to a point where you realise you have to change your ways.
And in a way I suppose I can see similarities between my state of mind and an addiction.
Both rely heavily on learnt processes. Itslke you have to break the cycle and then youve (sort of!) cracked it!
What do you think?
Tx
Hi Tx,
I have no idea! :)
I'm just taking some wild guesses here. Maybe it had something to do with the planet alignment? or someones prayers? or something different in the tap water? or maybe a UFO landed on earth....
I honestly have no idea. However, feelings were not exactly the same. You realised how lucky you are, i realised how motivated i was feeling!
It didn't happen on the same day did it? at the same time! [sm=speechless-smiley-040.gif]
I'm confused lol.
Best wishes
Narmi
p.s. sorry for hijacking! :)
I was going to reply to Narmi's 'Mind and Motivtion' thread but felt like I was hijacking it so Ive started this!
I have, over the last few days had a very similar (if not identical) experience to Narmi.
Having previously suffered from depression/anxiety, I have felt over the last few months that I have been 'slipping' back into my old ways and not feeling too good.
If any of you have gone thru this, you know what I mean. For those who dont (you are very fortunate!) what I mean is a feeling of doom, sadness, closing down and shutting myself down-both emotionally and physically.
However!! A few days ago I had a moment of clarity! (dont laugh!)
I just sat there thinking about my life, how lucky I am, how feeling the way I feel is no way to be for the rest of my days-and I basically kicked myself up the ass!
I wrote myself a 'to do list' of all the things I would like to be done by the end of the following night.
These just included the everyday things (mainly to give myself a feel good factor when I ticked them off, also to give myself a sense of credit for the jobs I do everyday that go unnoticed by myself). They also included the things I put off everyday (like phone the INland Revenue[:@]!)
The next day I worked thru them and ticked them off! I even went to the gym!
The sense of achievement and the lightness of my mood was so strong-it was like I was buzzing!
Dont get me wrong tho-Im not saying writing a list gets rid of depression!
I found that I was still in the same mindset BUT I somehow talked myself thru it and came out the other end. Not once, but about 10 times during the day-but thats ok. I got the jobs done and felt fab!
For instance, once Id made one phone call and the dreaded IR call was next on my list, I would think 'oh Ill do that tomorrow now, I cant be bothered'. But Id talk myself thru it and give myself a bit of a praise for how far thru the list Id come and how good Ill feel when the call with the IR was finished!
In a way it was sort of like talking/nuturing/encouraging a child!!
I have also used the same stratergy for the blues and I must say it is extremely affective.
Almost I have stopped myself in my grumpy tracks and looked at the bigger picture. Its like I can really change my moods/way of thinking if I stop and listen to the negativity/unreasonable thinking of my mind and talk it thru with myself!?
Im gonna stop now because I sound a wee bit strange!!!
Tx
Answers:
Not strange at all ! I can totally relate to you and suffer from anxiety regularly. Having seen a therapist who has helped me to turn my negative thoughts into a positive and shut up the internal chatter of " I cant do or it wont be any good for me" (which has been reinforced over the years by others) I know where you are coming from.
I think you have the right idea to break what seems like a mass of problems into chunks of do able pieces and sort of coach yourself into getting them done. Well done and keep on going. Each completed task is a boost to your self esteem and confidence.
By posting your feelings and the way you deal with them you are helping others believe me !!
All the best
Sharon
Answers:
Aw thanks Sharon, what a lovely reply [sm=hug.gif]
It definatley seems to be working for me!
Baby steps eh?!
Tx
Answers:
Hi Tx,
One thing which we have in common. We seem to need to "tell" ourselfs to go and do it! However, I still don't understand one thing. Why did I feel so motivated out of the blue. Why did you realise how lucky you are out of the blue?
What was so different about that day?
Best wishes
Narmi
Answers:
Hiya Narmi,
I dont know!!!!
It was like a switch. something just clicked and I thought 'hang on, I cant be like this forever' was it the same for you?
Maybe its the same as what makes an alcoholic seek help or a smoker suddenly try and change their habits and pack in smoking?
Maybe it is just the same as any addiction, sometimes you get to a point where you realise you have to change your ways.
And in a way I suppose I can see similarities between my state of mind and an addiction.
Both rely heavily on learnt processes. Itslke you have to break the cycle and then youve (sort of!) cracked it!
What do you think?
Tx
Answers:
Hi Tx,
I have no idea! :)
I'm just taking some wild guesses here. Maybe it had something to do with the planet alignment? or someones prayers? or something different in the tap water? or maybe a UFO landed on earth....
I honestly have no idea. However, feelings were not exactly the same. You realised how lucky you are, i realised how motivated i was feeling!
It didn't happen on the same day did it? at the same time! [sm=speechless-smiley-040.gif]
I'm confused lol.
Best wishes
Narmi
p.s. sorry for hijacking! :)
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