Oh sweet pea, I'm so proud of you!
((((Angela))))
I agree totally. I do it to avoid what's really going on too, sometimes. This ofcourse is when dissociation doesn't work

but you know about that too dontcha honey?
SI for some is an avoidance thing. Some is just a pain thing or something to focus on to take the thoughts away from what's bothering them on the inside, by seeing something we can see is "real" on the outside.
It is quite a breakthrough and I applaud you !!
Take Care of yourself dear friend,
Kimberly.