My goodness, what great tips I received on dealing with the blues! I appreciate what was said about chocolate, naps, prayer, and serving others. And I especially resonate with the idea of writing as catharsis. So I'm going to blog every day, as planned, even if I don't feel like it. The very process of writing--I mean the physical process--seems to open something up inside and help me tap into my real self. Pen-to-paper is especially effective for me, and it provides the bonus of an extra filter before my thoughts can hit the internet.
A couple of weeks ago I went to a lecture on mental health and was fascinated by the speaker's explanation of depression as a natural occurrence. She said depression is a mechanism that forces you to shut down and spend some time with yourself. (This is the situational, hormonal, or otherwise temporary form of depression--certainly we don't need weeks on end alone with ourselves.) So maybe it's okay to succumb to the inward pull, to retreat into one's self for a day, once in awhile. Under the covers. With ice cream.
But during that time alone I know there is still some "work" to do. Talking it out is necessary. Sometimes writing it down provides me with all the dialogue I need. I've often written out whiny emails, realized just before hitting "send" that I don't feel so bad anymore, erase it all and start over with a more mature perspective. Writing can be all the catharsis I need.
So here's to all the emails unsent and the posts un-posted! Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about censorship and repression. I'm talking about genuinely feeling better. Which I do.
6 comments:
Yay for feeling better! I agree about the writing part. I like blogging but to me it can never replace pen and paper journaling. Which I really need to get back into doing too.
That's great. I was plagued with some pretty negative feelings lately. I was choosing to feel irritated. A speaker in stake conference today helped. He said to beware of feelings that are rotting us inside (like a hollow tree), that we can find peace of mind through coming closer to Christ. He talked about "let virtue garnish your thoughts", a fascinating concept which would help you think and speak and write more positively. That virtue would come through scriptures and prayer and service, I think.
Sounds like a great plan. I love reading your blog. You are so cute Brenda!
:)
You should see all the un-posted blog posts I have written. They are just there, and lots of them too. It helps me.
How did I miss this one? I sure do like you Brenda.
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