In my last blog post I talked about the dangers of escaping instead of feeling emotions. In this post, I’d like to talk about what to do if you’ve had a rough day and the adversary is pounding you and you want to go into escape mode.
For starters, I’d say this is why it’s important to have a hobby.
I found art journaling to be a godsend for me. I was introduced to jennibellie on youtube. I was first drawn to her tutorials on how to make journals and scrapbooks out of scrap materials, but then found that mixed media art was something I enjoyed and was cathartic for me.
Any hobby you enjoy, be it art, music, sewing, woodworking, gardening, etc. can be a great alternative to turn to instead of escaping.
Second, projects can be a great source of diversion when trying to process emotions.
Anything around the house that will make your space better for you, whether functional or aesthetic, will allow you a proper outlet for the energy of big emotions. Sometimes it doesn’t even have to be a huge project.
Even organizing your purses or shoes gives you a sense of accomplishment that you did something worthwhile.
Projects don’t even have to be physical in order to be successful.
I am working on writing a book right now. I am working very slowly, and I can’t honestly say it’ll ever be done, but it gives me something for my brain to do when all it does is want to focus on my problems and negativity. Blogging can do the same thing.
Often the best way to avoid escape is to just do those things you have been putting off that are nagging you.
Does the kitchen need to be cleaned? Do it! Does laundry need to be done? Paperwork sorted? Meals planned? Emails returned? Just do it!!
Tackle those things that are hanging over your head and making you want to escape in the first place!!
Ask yourself this: What can I do that would make me feel better about myself tomorrow?
If I was living as the ideal “m\”, what would I be doing now?
This, my friends, is the best tool that I’ve ever found to fight the urge to escape.
