[beauflow]

Hey All..

I can get rather emotional from either triggers, thinking, events going on etc. what have you. Stress basically

If I am able to pull my head out of my head and be motivated enough to just start-- i tend to like to do painting, arts and crafts of some sort, something that may be busy work (i.e. cleaning up the house), or just something- some times going to the dollar store and bumming around and getting stuff there if I am one of those moods for buying things.

I sometimes do great with this. It can give me such a great relief, however sometimes was like the other day-- I started an art project that I have been thinking on for a while- and well it was great while I was doing it, but a few hours later it was if the world just came crashing back to me with problems, problems, and what to do, overwhelmed basically. Intense emotions with anger and hopelessness came about for a bit.

I did note that I had all this, then focused on a cup of coffee and felt extremely better--- i found it odd but I guess that is not so odd after reading that, that is some what could be a grounding technique.
I.e. recognize what I feel, emotionally and/or physically, then focus on an object or something else and what that makes me feel. Oh and then I read something funny which I am sure helped.

It just bothered me today more so than other times with the art project and escaping but coming back not so calm and feeling like a freight truck hit me with emotions, or perhaps I am coming out and talking about this time around due to it always bothers me (probably that)- at any rate, it just really did not feel well-- the best way I could describe it to my S/O was it was like I was doing a drug for a few hours, then came back to reality with no solution or break and just felt so overwhelmed again...

Perhaps the Art project - though feeling wrapped in it, perhaps i felt it was work as well at the same time so it was not a true escape in away?
That is one thing I have thought on here with this today.
Oh and another thing-- I did not finish the art project due to time--- I don't like leaving things unfinished when I start such things-- Some times have trouble coming back-- perhaps that too is wrapped in this? I don't know self, I say.

I have been having a lot of stress lately- Feel like I am going to break at some point either here or there.... But trying to hold on with it all.... and trying best to do some things that have worked in the past that are positive for "break times" for me.... but I just don't know some times.

Any other ideas on this?
I have not been trying to "push myself" to do things that I do not fully want to do, but little nudging sometimes can help with motivation if that makes any sense./

be well all

[Perna]

I don't think one can escape stress or one's problems effectively. What I do is try to pair whatever with an activity of the opposite kind (no stress, "easy"/fun/enjoyable) and work on the stress or problem that way rather than separate myself from it. I figure out what is stressing me and either rest in it, do something specific about it, or explore it from a safer surround sound environment

My environment of choice is reading or working on the Internet. I read novels similar to those of my problems, specifically so the problems will be triggered but I will also have the "excuse" of knowing that "I'm only reading" and the example of the characters in the book (who always eventually find solutions (so, so can I?)).

Sometimes when I'm stressed by something specific, I blog about it and what I "should" (but haven't for whatever reason) do about it. Being aware I have a problem I am not taking care of helps lower the stress of the unknown for me. It has taken me almost 5 days but I finally got my bedroom dusted (first "real" time in 5-6 years) and now feel good when I go up to bed (that there are not dust bunnies hanging from the ceiling, ready to drop in my mouth as I sleep :-) I've been "going to" clean up my second bedroom for months, even a year or two now and do occasionally get one or two things done in there but. . . Talking about it at least gives me the illusion that eventually something will get done and keeps the stress to a bearable level.

Most fear, pain, bad feelings that I want to "escape" from seem to me to be because they are ignored or I'm trying to run from them in the first place. Stopping and acknowledging exactly what they are, listing them, even without intention of doing anything about them right away, gives me a rest.

[beauflow]

Thanks Perna-
I do get what you are saying Perna- Basically don't be in denial of what issues are out there for me, at the very least acknowledge them-- listing them, ranting/talking about them and even many times when doing my art projects I will be thinking on certain subjects I do-- .... I guess with this recent thing is of things that I can not control - which at times can get under my skin and have trouble letting go- even though logically if it is out of my control, i just need to know that- out of my hands and I can only do what I can do.......

I tend to beg to differ on escaping with things however, even with art though at times I may be thinking on certain subjects, I can also get lost on what I am doing with the project- Yes, not a true escape due to have to check back into reality I guess - which then I would have to agree with.

I can totally agree with getting things done help relieve a lot of stress-- Perhaps that is another thing here- Two things that need to be done are also dependent on my S/O (finding a new place I can not just go and do it all myself- they need his information and I need his opinion on the place as well -- I know need may seem a little extreme but we are in a relationship and I respect what he thinks). And packing- Sure I could do it all myself, however that would create a big issue with me and him .. which being dependent on him doing this with me, gets me stressed out at times.... and yeah- we talk a lot on this stuff.

hmmm....