That time of the month...

[EyeSeeCold]

Feeling depressed, restless, repressed, and distressed.

Any ideas?

 

[Stoic Beverage]

I find doing something creative and distracting usually helps. If you have any instruments, become proficient with them. My keyboard has shown me through some tough times. Music is medicine for the soul.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

No, I don't have any instruments..

 

[preilemus]

get off the internet & do stuff. read a book. draw a picture. work out. write a story. exert yourself in a way you mind meaningful.

 

[Stoic Beverage]

Well, I would highly recommend getting a keyboard. You can get a half-decent one for around 60 bucks at a pawn shop. Music is shown to be very mentally stimulating, and it's great fun. If ever you're bored, print some sheet music off of the internet and you now are kept busy for hours. It would be a great investment.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

get off the internet & do stuff. read a book. draw a picture. work out. write a story. exert yourself in a way you mind meaningful.

The problem: those are predictable enough to the point that I'm not motivated to do any of them in the name of spontaniety.

 

[ApostateAbe]

Look at some unusual porn? Only you know how to make yourself feel better. You have a lifetime of experience doing exactly that. Maybe think of a project that you thought about doing, you procrastinated on it, and you forgot about it, until now.

 

[preilemus]

The problem: those are predictable enough to the point that I'm not motivated to do any of them in the name of spontaniety.

Then go die. If you find any ounce of help in this thread it's still not going to fix your problem for you

 

[AlisaD]

Give yourself a break and indulge in some nice, high quality depression.
As lovely as being upbeat, and productive and whatnot is, sometimes you just feel like crap, so let it happen. It is not very likely to kill you, and if you allow yourself to experience it instead of just pushing it away, you might learn something.
On the other hand, this might be just a dumb idea.
Let me know how it works out for you if you decide to give it a shot.

 

[preilemus]

Give yourself a break and indulge in some nice, high quality depression.
As lovely as being upbeat, and productive and whatnot is, sometimes you just feel like crap, so let it happen. It is not very likely to kill you, and if you allow yourself to experience it instead of just pushing it away, you might learn something.
On the other hand, this might be just a dumb idea.
Let me know how it works out for you if you decide to give it a shot.

Aversion to the current state is a natural part of hitting a low-point. If you want to try and experience sadness the same way you experience happiness you will be wounding yourself.

 

[yes]

Go to the mall and stare at people. Think about how less complicated your life is compared to theirs and I imagine just seeing all the happy kids visit "santa" would make anyone at least smile once. Donate something, blood, blood platelets or even advice. I'm sure you can be helpful. < I just realized this was here... Is it new?

 

[AlisaD]

Aversion to the current state is a natural part of hitting a low-point. If you want to try and experience sadness the same way you experience happiness you will be wounding yourself.

Never said experience it in the same way you do happiness. Just experience it, acknowledge it, it's usually there for a reason, try and see it. By getting something shiny to distract you, you are just accumulating it, storing it for a later time in your life.
Plus, sadness and depression are far from being the same thing, and sadness is definitely not something I'd just push away.

 

[Meer]

I was feeling unmotivated, but then I finished a book, wrote some music and then slept a bunch.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Look at some unusual porn? Only you know how to make yourself feel better. You have a lifetime of experience doing exactly that. Maybe think of a project that you thought about doing, you procrastinated on it, and you forgot about it, until now.

Hmm...

Then go die. If you find any ounce of help in this thread it's still not going to fix your problem for you

Die? And then face an eternity of nothingness? Thanks, but no thanks.

Give yourself a break and indulge in some nice, high quality depression.
As lovely as being upbeat, and productive and whatnot is, sometimes you just feel like crap, so let it happen. It is not very likely to kill you, and if you allow yourself to experience it instead of just pushing it away, you might learn something.
On the other hand, this might be just a dumb idea.
Let me know how it works out for you if you decide to give it a shot.

This probably would be good advice, if not for me being in this state since like forever. It's the restlessness that fluctuates.

I know these problems are solved through some external volition or self-will..I was subconsciously trying to solve it through interaction of some kind..

 

[preilemus]

Never said experience it in the same way you do happiness.

You are indeed saying just that: acceptance. Part of discomfort (to use a different name) is the basic desire to get rid of it. You are suggesting the denial of that.

Just experience it, acknowledge it, it's usually there for a reason, try and see it. By getting something shiny to distract you, you are just accumulating it, storing it for a later time in your life.

It's not an entity unto itself. You're not "distracting" yourself when you do something engaging. Doing nothing is not the neutral state of a person. The feelings associated with inactivity are only byproducts of just that.

 

[AlisaD]

You are indeed saying just that: acceptance.

No I am not saying just that. When you're happy, do you just accept it? Don't make an effort or feel the desire to prolong it? Enhance it? You just accept it, and move on? Well, that's new.

Part of discomfort (to use a different name) is the basic desire to get rid of it. You are suggesting the denial of that.

I am not suggesting staying in this state forever, I am simply suggesting that a quick fix might not be the best solution to the problem.

It's not an entity unto itself. You're not "distracting" yourself when you do something engaging. Doing nothing is not the neutral state of a person. The feelings associated with inactivity are only byproducts of just that.

When you force yourself to do something, not because you wish to, but to avoid negative feelings - I'd call that trying to distract yourself.
And what in the world is a neutral state of a person? And why is this neutrality a good thing?

 

[Solitaire U.]

Rec. drugs.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Rec. drugs.

Sir, I like the way you think.
Seriously going to invest in a mushroom kit, and maybe a salvia plant for fun.

 

[Andropov]

There's so many fun things to do. Prank call phone sex hotlines and make them talk about eating feces from a dead pig's skull. Smoke weed, reed a book, don't sleep for 2 days and see what happens.

 

[Bird]

The problem: those are predictable enough to the point that I'm not motivated to do any of them in the name of spontaniety.

The problem is you.


Stop making excuses.

 

[Bird]

Also, if you're going to grow drugs,
I think you should get into cross-breeding.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

The problem is you.


Stop making excuses.

Why you!...you...you're right..

Humm, I wonder though, which is generally healthier: self stimulation or mutual stimulation?

 

[Bird]

I usually enjoy mutual stimulation


(:

 

[EyeSeeCold]

I see, so you've had experience. I must perform more tests on the matter, the truth of stimulation shall be uncovered.

 

[dark]

From the initial post, sounds like a lack of excitement. I am not going to say what makes you excited, but I think whatever it is, you need to do this. I also don't think drugs or alcohol will help that kind of thing, it only suppresses it and represses it, which is what you are asking for help to avoid no?

I know when I experience my understanding of restlessness I have had little to no excitement of any kind. Anything reckless outside your comfort zone would help that, but it would take effort to do. Also you must remember nothing is predictable, the odds are always there. We can have educated guesses, but those can be wrong sometimes, not saying mine ever are, but some people aren't always right.

I sort of got lost half way down in the thread so wont comment of those.

I enjoy talking to people, sometimes I avoid them at all costs, but when I get the chance to be around people I am excited to no ends, but I am excited almost all the time.

The best motivation to do something is the prospect of doing nothing afterward. Or at least it is for me.

I learned not to long ago, the best way to get out of these aspects of life is to tell others the problems. I know it is hard to tell others of life experiences, I had never done such a thing until a week ago, but it can be done. I must admit it was horrible to start telling people my life, but when I realized I was telling much more in my writing than I could if I had wanted to tell, well I just started telling. -- also disregard all of this if it does not correspond to anything.

Ah and it is inevitable for me to post a normal length post.

My real advice, escape the torments of the internal prison of the mind. Indulge in whatever excites you in whatever way you feel needs exciting, but remember this is why we need others, self inflicted excitement of any form only discloses temporary solace, but if done with others, well it can change many variables and help you out of what ever it is that is keeping you down for a much longer time.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Go to the mall and stare at people. Think about how less complicated your life is compared to theirs and I imagine just seeing all the happy kids visit "santa" would make anyone at least smile once. Donate something, blood, blood platelets or even advice. I'm sure you can be helpful. < I just realized this was here... Is it new?

This would be pretty cool I guess.

Everything you said can be summed up in this manonelephant emote.

You said I should tell others my problem...I would loathe the ensuing peer pressure and attention. That's not what I need.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYdq0ABH3so

 

[dark]

I know exactly what you mean, no way I would tell someone my problems face to face. I couldn't handle the emotional attention they would want to press.

What I tend to do when I actually tell people things is telling small amounts to specific people, never telling one person enough to even know what I am talking about, always weaving it in as though it is nothing and was just part of the conversation. They always think I am talking about other things. I am sure you like myself don't need others words, I think it is more of the expression that helps us understand ourselves.

I really think I do that unconsciously so I can't tell you if I really do that, but I think I do. If talking things with other people is out of the question, speak out loud to yourself, create other personalities that speak to one another, make different voices for them, let them talk things out, I am sure they will find their own niches as long as you can imagine them.

Also talking wont help all that much, you need excitement. Avoid momentary excitement. Go for the long term things. Join something, even though I hate joining, I do it sometimes, like joining the people sitting at a group of tables playing Magic cards or those other words I don't know how to spell that reminds me of Pokemon.

Hell you could start something, a fight, a revolution, a pissing contest with the guy behind you in queue, anything. I personally avoid the pissing contests because I am afraid I will get shot where I live.

Do anything to get out of your mind. Escape it, and come back and delight that you get to relish in its company again. Like another post above about music, do some artistic things, turn the music up really loud, paint a picture, write a story. But do not plan, do not become a scientist for this moment, do not analyze the moments. I recognize this I am writing is probably more of my benefit than anyone else since I am bringing out my own thoughts on how to avoid my next restlessness state.

<- I do like that little guy.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

I am sure you like myself don't need others words, I think it is more of the expression that helps us understand ourselves.

Yea

Also talking wont help all that much, you need excitement. Avoid momentary excitement. Go for the long term things. Join something, even though I hate joining, I do it sometimes, like joining the people sitting at a group of tables playing Magic cards or those other words I don't know how to spell that reminds me of Pokemon.

Hell you could start something, a fight, a revolution, a pissing contest with the guy behind you in queue, anything. I personally avoid the pissing contests because I am afraid I will get shot where I live.

Do anything to get out of your mind. Escape it, and come back and delight that you get to relish in its company again. Like another post above about music, do some artistic things, turn the music up really loud, paint a picture, write a story. But do not plan, do not become a scientist for this moment, do not analyze the moments. I recognize this I am writing is probably more of my benefit than anyone else since I am bringing out my own thoughts on how to avoid my next restlessness state.

lol shot with piss or bullets? Either way

I've been thinking hard; I need one thing but don't know how to get it: a purpose. I suck at practically all forms of art and have no instruments; causes are usually impersonal; and my dating skills are actually in the negative...

I've been listening to Hendrix heavily lately, which has been stimulating, but not really progressive.

I'm just the apathetic kid waiting for the unexpected adventurer to come into his life...

 

[Melkor]

Retreat from reality.

You might have to function within it, but you must always remember that nothing should be able to imprison your mind.

Well except maybe Square Enix games, but thats perfectly healthy.

 

[dark]

^ I agree with Melkor. Well almost, add Blizzard along side Square Enix and you have a very true statement. Al thought the last SE game I played was FFXII, never finished it because of WoW.

@ EyeSeeCold, I never got much from Hendrix myself, I get horrible glares when I say that but I don't really care, he just doesn't do it for me, so I can't really see where he is seen as such a great musician. But if that is what does it for you, great. I personally think Bob Dylan is a better musician, and I am sure Hendrix would agree. What kind of music do you like the best? For some reason the Rolling Stones pulled me out of a down time in my life about 2 years ago, but it wasn't depression, was actually the first time I listened to them.

Also when I woke up a couple hour ago I realized how to fix the repression and distress but I forgot it, will post it when I remember. Oh never mind, I remember now. Ok from my understanding that happens when you are not allowed to be your self. Act out, tell people off about who you really are, just be yourself, I was repressed for 16 years of my life and in the middle of high school I pissed so many people off because I didn't want to be repressed by societies standards, I got kicked out of a Christian Club for asking a question and provoking negative feelings through out the group, which was about 100. I was also told that if I ever showed back up I would get expelled. In my defense I only went to the thing to learn why others believed the way they did. Be yourself, don't let others shape you, I know from experience, you don't even know you are letting it happen until you start searching and find out what it is you really want to do. Be your cool INTP self.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

@ EyeSeeCold, I never got much from Hendrix myself, I get horrible glares when I say that but I don't really care, he just doesn't do it for me, so I can't really see where he is seen as such a great musician. But if that is what does it for you, great. I personally think Bob Dylan is a better musician, and I am sure Hendrix would agree. What kind of music do you like the best? For some reason the Rolling Stones pulled me out of a down time in my life about 2 years ago, but it wasn't depression, was actually the first time I listened to them.

It's more of a personal thing, anyway, most people take figures like Hendrix at face value, the messenger artists hate that. I listen to Bob Dylan, but not much, as for singing-songwriting, I'm more into Donovan(along with The Beatles, they have also gotten a lot of play recently). My favorite music fluctuates, but because of the weather, I'm more into Folk/Psychedelic and Alt rock. My favorite "let loose" band will always be The Stooges.

Ok from my understanding that happens when you are not allowed to be your self. Act out, tell people off about who you really are, just be yourself, I was repressed for 16 years of my life and in the middle of high school I pissed so many people off because I didn't want to be repressed by societies standards, I got kicked out of a Christian Club for asking a question and provoking negative feelings through out the group, which was about 100. I was also told that if I ever showed back up I would get expelled. In my defense I only went to the thing to learn why others believed the way they did. Be yourself, don't let others shape you, I know from experience, you don't even know you are letting it happen until you start searching and find out what it is you really want to do. Be your cool INTP self.

Well if I was acting out, I'd just return to my natural state which is this. So I guess the goal is external input from others or constant output from me.

 

[Anthile]

Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret.

ò_ó

 

[Lostwitheal]

Not my words, but:

"The world is your exercise book,
the pages upon which you do your sums.
It is not reality, though you are free
to express reality there if you wish."

"You are also free to write lies, or nonsense,
or to tear the pages."


​

 

[dark]

@ EyeSeeCold, I just realized my advice was more of an extroverts self help. I am really not sure how introverts would avoid this kind of event. I know for certain I was forced to be introverted from about 11 years old to 17 because of the people in the area I live. That really messed me up since I am not naturally introverted. I had no contact with people much, it kept me repressed. I will think on how you could avoid the repression, which I am sure would help everything else.

Tell me more of how introverts work in the world, how do you gain your energy when being alone? When I am alone I get tired, dragged down etc. But for me it is sort of weird, if I am dedicated to an idea or event, then being alone doesn't matter because that thing I am now focused on is my company, it gives me energy and I could go days or weeks with that one thing. Is that how introverts do what they do?

From my very small amount of understanding of how introverts work, you may need to go off in your own head, escape people, go where it is quite, dark and warm. Put on some headphones, put on some music that gets you to a good feeling, for me that is Iron Maiden, and close your eyes, and live the experience of being alone. I did that for one hour last week, it was really nice at helping me keep depression out.

Hope you find something to make you happy, I am sure that isn't a normal state but some people live in it and don't know anything else. It is society that causes it I am sure.

And now I think my extroverted advice is somewhat useless so I will delve into my mind and try to understand being introverted.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

On the surface it's the same as extroverts: we need alone time and then we need hang out time. The nature of being introvert is that the world is as if it were a crystal ball; it doesn't matter where I am, reality is always a small dome around my projected consciousness in which I am the only true being that exists. Auburn's poem is a perfect representation of what I'm talking about. Anyone who interacts with me is just a mechanism of my mind, so I never really feel 'whole' with anybody. In a weird way, I am the robot of everyone else's life yet in my robot reality everyone else is the automaton. The one thing to change that would be someone or something that connects to my inner essence and allows me to share my reality.

 

[Saoshyant]

In before Anti-Depressants are evil and a scam!