Structuring Your Thought Process

[Rani G2]

Forum people,

idealizing my isolation has been a symptom for a very long time. Unplugging myself is a necessity as I perceive my environment too intensively, smells and sounds seem to go under the skin which overwhelms me at times. My mind is very much out for control which I guess too is a trauma characteristic. There are moments where my mind doesnt seem to filter out information, I remember the most absurdest things, and I crave for information with no limit.

How do you approach things that need to be done? When I wake up I think about the things that need to be done. You need to do A,B,C and so on. The thought process is like “ you have to do these things, get it done, finish it, then you are free from pressure“. But this itself creates the pressure and exhaustion.
I focus on those things, fearing if I do not, I might forget or just leave them undone. After a fulltime working day, I am just tired and worn out to handle things. i do my household and try to do deal with one task. When I see the to Do list I tend to get nervous just by acknowledging it. I usually do the things that really need to be done, but certain things just lay there forever. People tell about meditation, to be aware of the moment and be more focused on breathing. Is anyone good at this?

Tell me about your tricks how you cope with life's challenges. Any routines? Healthy approaches?

Thanks

Shankara

 

[Silver.]

I make a list the night before. Each item gets a number 1 next to it. I try and work through the list throughout the day. If I cannot get to something on the list, I don't beat myself up over it. I put it on the next day's list and put a 2 next to it, then if I cannot do that, it goes on the next with a number 3, (rinse and repeat)
I do not let something stay on the list for more than 7 days. If an item has a number 7 on it, I know that I cannot put it off any longer. Making my list in this way has helped me to not only be a better organized person, but it has allowed me to stay busy during the day and keep my mind occupied.

As far as mediation, I used to be rubbish at it eh? But then I found meditation that allows you to recognize the straying thoughts but pull yourself back to your focus. It has gotten so much better over time being able to do this that I don't have as many stray thoughts during meditation anymore (which is a miracle, because there is always a storm of activity going on up there).

Perhaps this may help for you or someone else might have some better ideas for you. Take Care x

 

[Rani G2]

If I cannot get to something on the list, I don't beat myself up over it. I put it on the next day's list and put a 2 next to it, then if I cannot do that, it goes on the next with a number 3, (rinse and repeat)

From where did you get this idea from Silver? It seems to be effective, and keeps you focused. Pulling us back to here and now is a tricky thing, but you say, meditation works for you. Whatever technique,it doesnt matter. It keeps you in the present moment when thoughts get too chaotic? Do you meditate regularly?
I have to help my mom out with paper work, this stresses me out at times. I usually keep my apartment tidy and clean so that the mess in my mind doesnt spread outside. This again kind of puts pressure, as I try everything to keep control.

 

[Silver.]

I think the idea came to me when I was at a really low point in my life and getting overwhelmed with just the simplest of things. I like seeing things written out, as it holds me to task.
Mediation never worked for me until I started focusing completely on the counting of my breaths. If a thought pops in, I acknowledge and recognize the thought, and go right back to counting. It sounds so simplistic, yet I had never tried that sort of mediation before. I always got frustrated that I couldn't quiet my mind. But I think the counting of the breaths, actually counting them out in my head, is key to keeping my mind in focus.
I do mediate quite often now (at least every morning and then if I had a bad day,before bed, to help with the night terrors, sleep walking etc) and then I often meditate while I am doing yoga.

I understand how hard it is trying to help someone else, especially with paperwork. Because they don't make it easy filling it out, and then when you are doing it for someone else? Total stress! Try breaking the paperwork into sections using a file separator, and dedicate a few pages per day?

 

[corvidae]

@Silver. that's brilliant re: list and numbers idea!

@Shankara i started using youtube videos from elephant journal to meditate with (they do live videos M-F, mountain time in the US) and always close with about 4 min of meditation. they focus on breath and also how to deal with the random thoughts that wander through. good stuff.

 

[Silver.]

@corvidae I love elephant journal x

 

[Rani G2]

@Silver
thank you for writing Silver, this is indeed a great way to get organized. I have difficulty today, to really do something, have been eating too much sugar, laying around and depressed. Things can get different later.

@corvidae

Sounds good! Will check em out. Thanks

 

[Rani G2]

I dont know if you can relate to this in any way but I have these thoughts that pop into my consciousness when I just go out and do random things. When I walk on the road, and I see people, sick, old or just holding a cigarette, smoking nervously. When feelings of grief struck me. “This is life? Struggling, slowly the body detoriating, we all die, I have to live somehow“. These thoughts keeps me from doing things. Going out, or enjoy being with people, because what I sense and undergo is this immediate feeling of struggle. This seems to be the only reality, distortion.

I feel the alienation, the separation. Its not something that seems to be insuperable, but something that affects me deeply, as if I am loosing the ground. Hopelessness covers me all the way. :-(

 

[Silver.]

^^
I couldn't like that post because it felt wrong, but I can completely relate. It seems when I am at my worst, which I am going through right now, it's hard to see the happiness and the good things. My brain turns it into sadness, anxiety, fear...It is hard, it feels like a constant struggle.
You are not alone *hugs*

 

[VioletButterfly]

@Shankara - Regarding your last post, that sounds like intrusive thinking to me. Have you tried pushing at the thoughts to see whom whence they've come or have you tried what @Silver has suggested in terms of ackowledgement and then redirection? I have a horrible problem with this and I've found that acknowledging the thoughts and moving on helps sometimes. However, when I have a pounding thought that won't relent, I either try to distract myself for a time when I feel vulnerable or when I feel strong enough I sit down and journal about it. Really taking a long look and mapping out where I think they've come from and then work on unknitting that particular toxic sweater that wants to blanket my mind and suffocate my life. Not to be dramatic, but that's how my emotional mind feels - very uneasy, frightened, and reactionary.

I think we carry the lies instilled and then built-out by life experiences through the years, and they influence our thinking and behaviors until we do confront and correct them. In my experience, it takes a great deal of patience, self compassion, and resolve to trudge through the muck and mire, and to do the work. I'm in the middle of that right now, and trying to be very careful so as to no upset any apple carts in my mind/emotions.

Don't give up hope, but see and seek the light around you to sustain you on this journey. Be your own best friend accept this grace around you, and love yourself enough to do the hard work to create the life you are meant to live. Best to you. VB