Coping strategies
Posted by Anonymous on Jul 18, 2008 · Member since Dec 1969 · 11789 posts
Related to the Confessions thread, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about coping strategies.
How do you handle the stresses and weight that you carry around?
I think we can be honest in this thread without being judged!
Myself - in the past I certainly used avoidance, substance abuse and food to cope with problems. Running is one thing I've picked up that has really helped me the last year or so and I'm always looking to replace unhealthy patterns with new ones.
Sleep, cooking, getting OUT, music, writing, although sometimes, the best and most efficient way is to just allow myself to cry...sometimes it is a day sometimes it is as little as 20 minutes, but crying has a way of fixing a lot of things for me.
I buy DVDs that create certain moods in myself, and watch them when things get bad. I actually have them classified (in my head) according to moods. "Bad day" movies, "Want to be entertained" movies, "Comfort" movies, "Homesick for the south" movies, like that.
ETA: There's a great deal to be said for a shower/bath at times of stress, and burning essential oils like lavendar. A good hot shower with a cool rinse and then clean clothes, refreshes and makes things easier to deal with.
Fresh air, a drive in the car or a ride on your bike, a brisk walk.
i write music. i just started a new band called invisible punch. because i dont really want to hit people or myself. so i'll write songs about whatevers bothering me and thats the punch. : ) sometimes i forget to write songs though and i get really angry/grouchy/sad for way too long before i remember: write about it!
I didn't put this in the confessions thread, but I sometimes feel bad that I'm not interesting. For example, I've been here for a long time, but on the Something Positive thread you can see that I haven't really made an impression on people here, or if I got a mention, I'm that "nice" one. I'm the type that tends to get to know a few people well. I fully value the friends I've made here and am grateful for them. My point is that while I have friends here, I'm not all that interesting to the board as a whole.
To be more interesting to myself, I try to stay curious about life. Like, I'll take a basket making class, learn to play guitar, practice photography, or go exploring. Learning and discovery excites my mind. Also, it's really easy for me to make acquaintances, so going somewhere for a day or a week is fun because I get to meet a lot of quirky people. I attract them. I'm like quirky people paper (much like fly paper).
I didn't put this in the confessions thread, but I sometimes feel bad that I'm not interesting. For example, I've been here for a long time, but on the Something Positive thread you can see that I haven't really made an impression on people here, or if I got a mention, I'm that "nice" one. I'm the type that tends to get to know a few people well. I fully value the friends I've made here and am grateful for them. My point is that while I have friends here, I'm not all that interesting to the board as a whole.
To be more interesting to myself, I try to stay curious about life. Like, I'll take a basket making class, learn to play guitar, practice photography, or go exploring. Learning and discovery excites my mind. Also, it's really easy for me to make acquaintances, so going somewhere for a day or a week is fun because I get to meet a lot of quirky people. I attract them. I'm like quirky people paper (much like fly paper).
WTF are you talking about?! This is like opposite of the truth. You are definitely a HUGE INTERESTING part of the board as a whole. That's crap!
:)>>>
I didn't put this in the confessions thread, but I sometimes feel bad that I'm not interesting. For example, I've been here for a long time, but on the Something Positive thread you can see that I haven't really made an impression on people here, or if I got a mention, I'm that "nice" one. I'm the type that tends to get to know a few people well. I fully value the friends I've made here and am grateful for them. My point is that while I have friends here, I'm not all that interesting to the board as a whole.
To be more interesting to myself, I try to stay curious about life. Like, I'll take a basket making class, learn to play guitar, practice photography, or go exploring. Learning and discovery excites my mind. Also, it's really easy for me to make acquaintances, so going somewhere for a day or a week is fun because I get to meet a lot of quirky people. I attract them. I'm like quirky people paper (much like fly paper).
WTF are you talking about?! This is like opposite of the truth. You are definitely a HUGE INTERESTING part of the board as a whole. That's crap!
:)>>>
Totally ditto!
HH--you are integral to these boards! You post funny, interesting and insightful comments, you give help and suppot to everyone on the boards, you share yourself and life with us and it is interesting! I know I always look forward to reading your posts--and just so you know, I posted something about you in the positive thread before I read this post here--I posted it because I love you and I know you need support sometimes too! YOu are a vegweb super hero--when the boards were going through that really bad period a while back you stepped up and did everything in your power to get them back on track--you helped to mod the boards and you were always fair--and when the boards shut down you helped to keep eveyone still in contact with each other! If it wern'tfor you this forum wouldn't be a fun or insteresting or as supporting!
Everyone here loves you very much!
I love doing anything physical or anything outside.
But truth be told, I think vegweb is my coping strategy. Talking to cool people who share many of the same ideas and passions as me makes me feel like there is hope for the world.
I love doing anything physical or anything outside.
But truth be told, I think vegweb is my coping strategy. Talking to cool people who share many of the same ideas and passions as me makes me feel like there is hope for the world.
Yeah, yeah, yeah! All of that. VW and some sunshine! Crying's good sometimes too.
VW has been one of my safe places ever since I found it. I feel very protective of it.Anyone insults one of "my veg*ns" draws back a bleeding stub. :)>>>
I didn't put this in the confessions thread, but I sometimes feel bad that I'm not interesting. For example, I've been here for a long time, but on the Something Positive thread you can see that I haven't really made an impression on people here, or if I got a mention, I'm that "nice" one. I'm the type that tends to get to know a few people well. I fully value the friends I've made here and am grateful for them. My point is that while I have friends here, I'm not all that interesting to the board as a whole.
To be more interesting to myself, I try to stay curious about life. Like, I'll take a basket making class, learn to play guitar, practice photography, or go exploring. Learning and discovery excites my mind. Also, it's really easy for me to make acquaintances, so going somewhere for a day or a week is fun because I get to meet a lot of quirky people. I attract them. I'm like quirky people paper (much like fly paper).
OMG HH you sound just like me! I was going to mention how no one said anything about me on the Something Positive thread either.... :'( I know I haven't been here very long but....I also do no think I'm interesting and wish I could be more interesting to people.
Let me just say HH you have made an impression on me! You are the dearest, sweetest person I've talked with on this site! Everytime I've posted about a hard time I'm having you have always been there to offer up some advice/condolence. Especially with the latest, my Stanley-man being sick. I almost felt you like you were 'holding my hand' thru the whole thing and its was absolutely wonderful and I thank you for that! :)>>>
I drink to cope....totally unhealthy but that is certainly my vice. I do not think I'm an alcoholic but I do think I have a problem with it only because I rely on it to calm me down or make me feel better.
Another one I have (like HH) is watching a movie with a certain undertone to make me feel a certain way..... like if I'm pissed I tend to watch horror movies or if I'm sad I tend to watch sappy chick flicks....
I didn't put this in the confessions thread, but I sometimes feel bad that I'm not interesting. For example, I've been here for a long time, but on the Something Positive thread you can see that I haven't really made an impression on people here, or if I got a mention, I'm that "nice" one. I'm the type that tends to get to know a few people well. I fully value the friends I've made here and am grateful for them. My point is that while I have friends here, I'm not all that interesting to the board as a whole.
To be more interesting to myself, I try to stay curious about life. Like, I'll take a basket making class, learn to play guitar, practice photography, or go exploring. Learning and discovery excites my mind. Also, it's really easy for me to make acquaintances, so going somewhere for a day or a week is fun because I get to meet a lot of quirky people. I attract them. I'm like quirky people paper (much like fly paper).
at least pople mentioned you! :'(
I didn't put this in the confessions thread, but I sometimes feel bad that I'm not interesting. For example, I've been here for a long time, but on the Something Positive thread you can see that I haven't really made an impression on people here, or if I got a mention, I'm that "nice" one. I'm the type that tends to get to know a few people well. I fully value the friends I've made here and am grateful for them. My point is that while I have friends here, I'm not all that interesting to the board as a whole.
To be more interesting to myself, I try to stay curious about life. Like, I'll take a basket making class, learn to play guitar, practice photography, or go exploring. Learning and discovery excites my mind. Also, it's really easy for me to make acquaintances, so going somewhere for a day or a week is fun because I get to meet a lot of quirky people. I attract them. I'm like quirky people paper (much like fly paper).
I didn't get mentioned either :'(
at least pople mentioned you! :'(
I drink to cope....totally unhealthy but that is certainly my vice. I do not think I'm an alcoholic but I do think I have a problem with it only because I rely on it to calm me down or make me feel better.
Me too!
I didn't put this in the confessions thread, but I sometimes feel bad that I'm not interesting. For example, I've been here for a long time, but on the Something Positive thread you can see that I haven't really made an impression on people here, or if I got a mention, I'm that "nice" one. I'm the type that tends to get to know a few people well. I fully value the friends I've made here and am grateful for them. My point is that while I have friends here, I'm not all that interesting to the board as a whole.
To be more interesting to myself, I try to stay curious about life. Like, I'll take a basket making class, learn to play guitar, practice photography, or go exploring. Learning and discovery excites my mind. Also, it's really easy for me to make acquaintances, so going somewhere for a day or a week is fun because I get to meet a lot of quirky people. I attract them. I'm like quirky people paper (much like fly paper).
at least pople mentioned you! :'(
Not a hoot about me either! Good job I'm not sensitive or anything!! ;)b
well, at least I'm not alone!
well, at least I'm not alone!
We can just be the 'reject' crew (LOL) :D
I didn't put this in the confessions thread, but I sometimes feel bad that I'm not interesting. For example, I've been here for a long time, but on the Something Positive thread you can see that I haven't really made an impression on people here, or if I got a mention, I'm that "nice" one. I'm the type that tends to get to know a few people well. I fully value the friends I've made here and am grateful for them. My point is that while I have friends here, I'm not all that interesting to the board as a whole.
To be more interesting to myself, I try to stay curious about life. Like, I'll take a basket making class, learn to play guitar, practice photography, or go exploring. Learning and discovery excites my mind. Also, it's really easy for me to make acquaintances, so going somewhere for a day or a week is fun because I get to meet a lot of quirky people. I attract them. I'm like quirky people paper (much like fly paper).
at least pople mentioned you! :'(
lubimiller - I'm winking at you, and you'll soon know why. ;)
Yabbit - what are some of those movies? I'm curious what moods they put you in. I can really relate to that concept too.
HH - I feel the same, another one of those people who gets to know a few people well. I don't know if I'm interesting to the board as a whole either. On the positive thread, I'm the "cute" one... sometimes. To me, HH, you're kind of an enigma. I thnk it's the fact that I've never seen your face.
And everyone! - there are no rejects here!
Ok, so on to those coping strategies... Like everyone (I think) I have positive and negative coping strategies, and in the last few years the negative ones have dominated. Negative: restricting food, bingeing on low calorie things like veggies and diet soda, isolating myself, working too hard, being inflexible, hiding behind my work... stuff like that. Positive: yoga, walks, my favourite music, writing in my journal, real conversations (usually with my mom), therapy, and nature.
I think the strongest centering thing for me is to be beside water, in nature somewhere. It's a way to come back to myself.
well, at least I'm not alone!
We can just be the 'reject' crew (LOL) :D
thats right, we're rejects and we're proud!!
HH - I feel the same, another one of those people who gets to know a few people well. I don't know if I'm interesting to the board as a whole either. On the positive thread, I'm the "cute" one... sometimes. To me, HH, you're kind of an enigma. I thnk it's the fact that I've never seen your face.
ya, I got to thinking about that and so I actually put my picture up.....
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