When your brain is stuck on “GO,” and it feels as if your thoughts have been on a never-ending spin-cycle, it can be overwhelming. You feel as if your brain won’t ever stop running.
You run through every possible outcome of a situation. You run through every bad decision you’ve made. You run through your greatest hits of embarrassing moments. You run through every little thing until, finally, you’ve exhausted every bit of brain power, leaving you feeling drained and empty. It’s during times like these that having an outlet can put a stop to the never-ending spin cycle.
Having creative outlets are critical for restoring the balance in your life. They help you to relieve stress and anxiety, boost your mood and self-esteem, and help you to achieve breakthroughs.
CREATIVE OUTLETS CAN BE:
- Writing/journaling
- Reading
- Drawing/painting
- Listening to music
- Playing an instrument
- Meditating
- Gaming
MY EXPERIENCE
I received a job offer from a friend who had recently moved on from the company I was with. She needed an answer to give her boss within the week. Almost immediately, I was overcome with crippling anxiety. I wasn’t the happiest with where I was, but moving on from my current job would mean starting over- something I desperately hated to do. I had begun to worry about what my new position would entail, who I’d be working under, how many hours I’d be working, what I would look like in their uniform, if I would be any good at it, what their expectation of me would be, and so on. I started researching the company, the positions available, what pay the company might offer, the types of questions that might be asked in the interview. My brain was flooding with questions and I was frantically searching for answers. Eventually, I recognized that my pattern of thinking, if I kept at it, would put me deeper into a frenzy. It had to stop.
I had recently been learning how to play the guitar, so I shut my computer, plugged in my amp, and began to strum a couple chords. I started to get lost in the rhythm, paying close attention to where my fingers were on the neck, and which strings I was hitting with my pick. I focused my thoughts on what was in front of me, and slowly the chaos in my brain subsided. After my mind had cleared and I had time to process everything, I came to the realization that I wasn’t ready to move on from my current job. I decided to pass on my friends offer.
Carve out time to commit to your outlet, whatever it may be. You may find the answers you were seeking, gain a new perspective on a situation that was causing you strife, gain wisdom, or you just might end up feeling happier.
With love & support, Molly
