This might sound a bit silly, but some days I feel like I don't know myself very well at all. I'm beginning to realise that this is probably because I don't tend to put aside any real ME time.
How can I possibly be truely aware of my thoughts, emotions and who I am, when instead of investing this time with myself I seem to spend all this energy talking about what is going on around me and what other people are doing or zoning out in front of the tv?!
As a result of this subtle self neglect, I have found that sometimes it all comes to a head, my brain gets in a tangle and I get stressed because I realise that I have somehow built this birds nest of 'stuff' in my head.
You know the kind of things that I mean... external events that are affecting you, thoughts you allow to snowball because you haven't addressed them, toxic people that you let get under your skin, things you would like to do, things you should've done...
It can become hard to focus because my brain is darting around constantly and then it will get to the a certain point where something will just 'click' and I all of a sudden become painfully aware - normally in the form of stress - that I have some sorting to do... and fast!
This happened to me recently. I became so tense, frazzled and frustrated that I just wanted to cry. Not for any particular reason, there was just so much trying to happen in my head that I became overwhelmed by the mess of thoughts.
And so I wrote.
I happened to be at work and since I can type faster than I can scribble, I sat in front of my computer, turned to the ever knowledgable google, found an online journal site and I let my fingers pound the keyboard relentlessley. I poured out everything, not pausing to think for a second and just let it all flow out until I felt a calm settle over me.
Sure, I hadn't solved the world's problems or even specifically addressed any issues as such, but just starting to dissect that birds nest in my brain was such a relief!!
It was like a spring clean for my mind!
There has been a lot of research on the connection between writing and wellness. Keeping a journal has even been thought to be the most accessible form of self help and can be invaluable in beginning to gain an insight into clarifying your thoughts and feelings. Writing can help to process problems and help in getting to know yourself better.
Here are a couple of links if you're interested in trying out journaling for yourself, believe me, it's worth it!
This is the site I found to vent to - I'm sure there are many others out there just as good but I liked this as it was free and very easy to use;
http://penzu.com/content/why
Here are a couple of sites with tips and info on journaling;
http://stress.about.com/od/generaltechniques/p/profilejournal.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_2240063_journal-therapy.html
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/the-health-benefits-of-journaling/
So why not give it a crack - I'm going to make a concerted effort to start to invest some more time in ME by writing more instead of letting things get to breaking point (and in a way this blog is helping in that process too!).
Life is a work in progress and I think that once you can start to manage and untangle what's running round in your head you will create increased mindfulness and be able to see a little clearer in finding your way to a happier and less stressed existence.
~The Happy Rummager
No comments:
Post a Comment