#mental rumination

[t3rr3nc3]

Mental Rumination

I'm afraid your boy is dealing with this currently but I'll be alright.

[the-healing-mindset]

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All those years ago, the world changed for everyone. We went from being able to imagine each and every thing we could and would do. Whether it was tomorrow, next week, or some arbitrary time in the future, we could make those plans, and they felt tangible. Concrete.

However, in an instant, many of the plans that we'd made for ourselves were cancelled outside our control. We went from being able to go out and do what we wanted to having to maintain distance. Isolation from familiarity.

For introverts, this couldn't be better, right? No more forced awkward conversations or interactions. No more having to go out in public when you needed something, as more and more things became available at the tap of a finger on whatever digital device of our choosing. Even for some of us who aren't introverted, we found ourselves relieved at the newfound convenience of some things. Not having to go into a physical place of work if your job allowed that. The same convenience of not having to go out of your house to get what you needed, as it could be delivered to you. Even if you did need something from out, it could be brought to you while you waited in your car.

All of this allows your mind to begin focusing on other things. Good? Maybe. In other cases, your mind decides to default to all the things that you normally pushed down when you were busy out and about or busy working. Your thoughts about all of your anxieties, shortcomings, and other worries begin to come about. You find yourself overwhelmed with the negative thoughts about yourself or about something you did, no matter how long ago it may have been.

Your mind corners you. You can't escape the cycle when you're trapped inside. This is where having a consistent plan in place helps. When the rumination sets in, have something in place that you can hang on to so that you remove yourself from that state of mind. Something to remind you that it isn't all doom and gloom. It could be exercise. Focusing on a creative outlet. Talking with someone you trust. Have a few backups. If one is not immediately available, have something that you can rely on whenever you notice yourself spiraling into rumination.