Same Shit, Same Pile

[shimmerz]

Anybody else recognize that the same themes keep coming up over and over ad nauseum in their lives? Any ideas on how to break the cycle? Any thoughts or rants on this?

 

[Saria]

I'm not sure if this is an answer to your post, but If thought patterns etc. count as a theme in life, then definitely! For me it's like a neverending cycle of distrust, where my mind goes like: "Oh, your friend wants to see a movie with you? She probably hates you, but feels so much pity for you and will torment herself in your company for two hours because of it". "Your boyfriend makes you dinner and says he loves you? He's lying and is just waiting for the right time to break up with you". "Your phone is calling - it's probably someone who wants to scold you or criticize you for something you don't know what is, so better not take it". In short - i guess the theme is people trying to approach me, me pushing them away, leaving me alone in an extremely annoying self fulfilling prophecy. It's been going on for years and I hate it! Why is it so hard to just accept that some people in the world are nice and cares about you. Maybe realizing it is a good first step at least. Anyway, thanks for the rant friendly thread :p

Any ideas on how to break the cycle?

My thoughts: recognize the theme/patterns, explore where they come from, try to label it as just a theme whenever you recognize it, and try to be kind to yourself whenever you find yourself in that good old pile of shit. What's yours @shimmerz ?

 

[holdenmonty]

It's always something... Either things are a little rough at work or a little rough at home or both. Plus dealing with the thoughts in my head. It's never ending when things seem like they are starting to get better something happens and I'm back in the shit pile...

 

[Recovery4Me]

http://listverse.com/2014/04/14/10-bizarre-uses-for-excrement-throughout-history/

10 Bizzarre uses for excrement...

Sometimes...it just depends on how we look at things, you know?

 

[ghotiff]

The phrase we use here is "same shit, different smell"

My thoughts are....when you are young you don't notice the themes and patterns. As you get older you have seen so many repetitions that you start to notice the patterns. I think it's normal for this to happen and not necessarily a bad thing.

Maybe the easier goal is not to change the pattern but instead to minimize the negatives from the pattern. Eg when stressed the proverbial you binges on junk food and puts on weight. So, accept you will binge but binge on slightly less bad-for-you food, still junk food but less damaging.

Some patterns that my husband has used to drive me crazy, but I've found the silver lining (how to get the benefits, and minimize the negatives) from them. They are still annoying, but far less so.

Hope that helps.