Today was a bad day. Not necessarily for me, but for people I care about. So naturally, I felt really bad for them. And again I was reminded that when I’m not super busy with work and life, I very much struggle to manage the sadness, rage and anxiety I feel.
Right now I’m working out, which was not on my agenda today, because at least that is still available to me (I’m on the elliptical which is how I can be working out and also typing). But for the rest of the day I have really struggled. I just don’t have many productive outlets for my unpleasant feelings. I need some new coping mechanisms.
Because things are really shitty right now, in this country, and there is only so far I can bite my nails before they start to bleed. (I was about to describe the state of my nails right now but I thought better of it.)
And that is really all I can think to write. Ugh, even writing is eluding me as a coping mechanism. I always used to write when I was upset. Maybe it’s different because these aren’t my stories to tell.
{I do want to assure readers that everyone is safe and will ultimately be okay, but today they are not doing very well at all.}
I did spend a bunch of money on Amazon, which just makes me feel more shitty as a human being. Blerg. I have spent quite a bit of money since summer started, which I’m not happy about. There are definitely times when I’m not super interested in spending money, but then the bug bites me and I’m off! I really need to put a cap on that.
I’ll try to write some other post now. And I’ll publish this one in the meantime.
And if you have any coping mechanisms that you find even vaguely useful, please send them my way. Right now all my friends are out of town or I’d definitely be tapping them. I’m kind of surprised that the pandemic hasn’t taught me other coping mechanisms besides “work myself to exhaustion,” but I suppose that one was very much available to me the last three years and maybe I came to over-depend on it. If anyone has any other suggestions I’m all ears! (Or eyes, I suppose.)
When it hits be aware of your hormonal changes as a reminder of perspective.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Run, walk, bike, classes; also window washing, cleaning floors, sorting your own drawers, washing car yourself (these may increase your desire to go for hike/walk). Review your household supplies of all non-perishables and hit discount grocery options. (supply chain is/will be having more problems and having non-perishables well supplied will make life easier.)
Do something to get out the vote….. postcard work helps! Takes attention but not heavy lifting.
Know you are appreciated.
This month I went back on anxiety meds for the first time in probably 15 years. I couldn’t cope anymore. Was feeling SO much better within just a few days!
I am sorry a little late reading and commenting as I have my own stressful situation I have been dealing with, but what to do is go to the coast and just sit alone for 30 minutes watching the waves, smelling the sea air and looking at the birds. Or even go walk in a park with a beautiful garden and just sit alone and watch the birds and bees. It makes me feel better know that even when we have disasters in our lives, nature is still moving on and that life will go on, no matter how bad things may look at the present time we will make it to the other side of the disaster. This seems cheesy, but it is all I got as our insurance does not cover therapy and my primary doctor will not prescribe me anxiety meds. She said “try yoga” which doesn’t work for me. Hope you are doing ok
I came for the comments as I’m very much in need of the same. I’m an epidemiologist. Yeah.
My student’s support dog automatically senses my stress and tries to help me every time we meet. Wondering if I should look into that for myself at this point.
Casual zoom hangouts with colleagues/ friends have been therapeutic but rare. I miss that aspect of having in-person meetings and traveling.
Otherwise, I’m also looking for regular/sustainable options too. The current world is just too much.