What's Your Outlet

Hey PC, do you have an outlet (for stress relief) that you like to do? I have a friend where her outlet and stress relief is coloring. I have another friend where her outlet is having some alone time to sit in her garden, drink tea, and pray.

I'm looking for something I can get into. I guess I'm looking for my thing. How would I know what that is?! Haha I've struggled with this over the years. Can watching anime and Korean dramas count as an outlet haha ?

You know what I would like to explore? Writing. I was convinced about a year ago that I was going to be a writer. Mind you I may have been in a mixed episode, but I'm still interested in writing. I wouldn't know where to begin though, and I'm not very creative or artistic even. I just really love the idea of writing.

What's your outlet?

I make a great deal of art. It doesn't matter the end result as it is the process of creating that is therapeutic - and the messier and hands on the better. This includes multi-media and soft pastels; things I need to get my fingers into. Occasionally I hit on something worth keeping. I suppose if you Huck enough darts you will eventually hit the bullseye. I also love to cook as this too is a form of creating. Again it is the process. Not all creations are perfect.

I used to read a lot but my concentration isn't what it was. Instead I write. I avoid journalling however as I tend to ruminate. Also, in order to battle the poor concentration I try to complete at least one puzzle a day (logic, sudoku, etc). It helps keep me sharp too as I feel the medication dumbs me down.

I try to spend time out of doors. I have no yard so getting my dog out means an average of 5-6 walks a day. My therapist has asked me to pick something each day to concentrate on so I am in the moment. For example I have discovered there are 12 white vehicles on my street between the front and the alley. I have discovered that most birds in the neighbourhood are chickadees and have concentrated on the sound. As my therapist has said, 'feel' the walk, 'own' the walk. What do I hear and see. How does the touch of the ground beneath my feet, the sun and wind on my skin feel, etc. It is helping.

Finally, I have a CBT Yoga workbook I have started which shows great promise.

my outlets include working out internet and making music on my computer

For me, just about anything that activates my own creativity is an outlet. My current go-to is working on "my story" with the guidance of Nathan Pyle's book "99 Stories I Could Tell You."

Exercise such as walking my dog, yard work, watching funny show, doing crosswords, knitting a scarf, and used to make more time to cook, and in school was good at creative writing. Want to make more time to bake homemade bread, cakes, cookies and full meals, and take an art class. Also study French to include French workbook and listen to French in my car or on YouTube.

@cptsdwhoa I say go for it with the writing! I also say try some exploration to find out what your outlet is. I have many outlets: talking to others, knitting, listening to podcasts, watching funny tv shows, exercise, listening to music, surfing the internet, and more too.

Thank you all so much! I realize I DO indeed have some outlets. Reading, watching movies, eating a nice meal, listening to stand up comedy...I have quite a few ! Yay! But I do seriously want to try writing. I'm not writing Shakespeare lol so it doesn't have to be the world's best. It could just turn out to be a nice hobby. Thank you all again!

P.S. Thanks too for giving me some ideas!

Mowing my lawn & fields. Mindless work but can get creative mowing in crop circles or sometimes even paisleys. The edge of my woods curves do it is easy to get creative.

Painting or drawing, cooking a meal I really like to eat.

Best one however is riding my horse & working on dressage moves. Sometimes trail riding or just chilling with my dogs or sitting in my family room watching tje raccoons & possums eat dinner. I love my little farm