[Detia]

So I would enjoy some input and I figured that this issue would probably belong in Coping with Emotions... Though I'm not sure.

I used to be in martial arts, and I had a punching bag. It was a great release for me and all of the exercise was a good way for me to cope with a lot of things. However I moved 3 years ago, and I haven't had my punching bag hung up for various reasons. No room, damage to the punching bag frame, no money to join a martial arts class.

Well I finally got the punching bag hung up in my basement last night. So I went to town on it, and at first I was glad and relieved to have my punching bag back. If I get angry now I can get it out physically.

However after I threw a few punches into the thing, the relief and happiness dissolved away and I just sat there, on my floor a sobbing mess of tears. Nothing was really going through my head, but I just couldn't stop crying. I haven't cried like that in a very long time, and I have no idea why I was crying either.

So yes, how on earth does wailing on a punching bag turn into a festival of an emotional waterfall?

Hello, Detia. I do not have an answer. Maybe, you just needed to cry as a release from all you are dealing with?

[Skully]

I think that by hitting the punching bag you were able to release your anger and you felt better. But I think it also brought out all of your other emotions and you had a release of them all. You haven't had a chance to release those emotions since the punching bag was your outlet. So, you didn't have an outlet for 3 years. I just think it brought everything to the surface. That's my .02 cents anyway.

Hope things are ok now

[sugahorse1]

I also cannot tell you what exactly these emotions are - but sometimes pushing yourself physically (and in your case, it was a representation of emotions too) can push you over that edge to allow the flood-gates of tears to escape that can bring about the cleansing.

I hope you feel better soon xx

[Detia]

Thank you guys, that makes a lot of sense... I feel a bit better I'm just kind of in marvel about it. I haven't walloped my punching bag since, but I'm going to see what happens when I go to the basement and beat it up a bit more...

Perhaps it really was a release of pent up anger and emotions that I haven't gotten out in 3 years... Meaning I'll need to beat that punching bag up a lot in order to make up for lost time. lol

Thank you all for your words.

Edited: Also, I had a talk with a friend today... She said that sadness and depression could be anger turned inwards. Thinking about it... That might explain a lot. I used to get really angry as a child, throw a fit, then be perfectly fine. ...Then I had martial arts and I got any anger out through exercise. When martial arts dwindled, I practiced escapism with writing, imagination, etc... And I often refused to accept any emotions that I found unpleasant. I diffused responsibility. Then when I took on the responsibility of my emotions again, I steadily became more severely depressed.

Maybe the punching bag allowed me to express this anger and depression outward. Yay floodgates.

[sugahorse1]

I hope your next punching session goes just as well :-)

[Detia]

=) Thank you Sugahorse