No good reason. First World problems or perceived problems ...or a slight drop in some level of chemical in my brain.
I cannot imagine what life is like for someone who daily suffers from the draining, bleakness of crippling, depression.
Why do we feel we must be happy all the time ? If we did feel happy all the time, would we need more and more "happy" to keep feeling the same level of happiness ?
Do our sad times help us to appreciate the happy times ?
When I feel "blue", I don't feel motivated to do anything, and I know that that lack of motivation then feeds on itself. I become more tired and feel less motivated to get outside : to DO anything.
BUT the dogs need to go for walks ... and so we head out into the fog.
and we go for a walk and I take the photos that you see on this page today.
I get outside of my head for a bit.
I look at droplets,
and flowers,
and flowers with insects on them.
I wander along the rocks, occasionally looking at interesting sticks, or shells, or rusted bits of detritus.
And of course I throw the ball for Wendy -- my GOOD "black dog".
And I watch as Sooki stands chest deep in the water, considering whether she should swim out to catch that Seagull that bobs so far off-shore.
And I smile.
Time to head home and play with Trey in the yard.
Then I'll sit down and share all this with you, and ask you how you cope when you feel sad ?
there is nothing like watching a dog/dogs "enjoy the moment" to brighten my day. It lifts my spirits to watch my dogs "just be". We always head to the beach with the dogs for our "readjustment time".
ReplyDeleteSomehow Sara, it's like we leave ourselves and enter into the dogs. Sometimes when they are sniffing the wind, noses upturned, intent ... I imagine I'm smelling thousands of scents ... and being in the moment.
DeleteGetting "out of my head" sounds like a great idea. I am spending far too much time inside it these days. Hence my need for an adventure. Appointments and such will keep me from one for the next few days. Love your photos here. Looks like your walk was just the thing.
ReplyDeleteSeems Karma, like a lot of us spend too much time inside our heads. I'm thinking that an adventure is in order. Time to sort out the camping supplies ...
DeleteRobin commented on my blog as you did the other day about wanting to come along for an adventure. Looking at Google maps I decided the halfway point between Nova Scotia and Maryland is somewhere in Maine and that is where we should have our adventure! ;-)
DeleteGuess it's time for me to renew my passport ! ;-)
DeleteI too spend too much time in my head. My little dog Sadie is a great comfort, and a joy. She helps me get past myself.
ReplyDeleteGood ol' Sadie.
DeleteYesterday I was tired with no energy and feeling disjointed and a bit confused. This morning I awake feeling energetic and happy. It seems a yin/yang kind of thing that most people go through. But sometimes we get stuck in one extreme or another and then it's no fun. I don't think I want to be happy all the time--but do want to be at peace with NOT being happy. Just lettin' it all be what it is. Content with not-knowing what to do next, and content when the next knowing-what-to-do arises. Enjoyed this post, Sybil.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I am sorry, though, that you are feeling glum lately. Will you take a long faraway hug as well as two dogs?
DeleteThanks for the virtual hug. Talking about my feelings helps ...
DeleteHi Sybil…sorry that you're feeling blue.
ReplyDeleteWhat do I do?
I try to feel it and not be repelled by it….cause it always feels like the end of the world. I try to ride with it and remind myself that it's not a permanent condition. I recognize many of my triggers….fatigue, worry about kids, deadlines, stupid stuff, hunger, boredom, isolation from others, time away from others. I try to identify what it is and to act on that. Sometimes I meditate or close my eyes and sit and try to just focus on my breath and then listen to the thoughts without judging.
Because I believe that our thoughts change my emotions, I want to know what are the thoughts? Something is not right in our universe…what is it?
Potato chips help.
Hugs!
Flora
Thanks Flora.
DeleteMost of those reasons for feeling blue that you named, excluding deadlines, are true for me too.
I tend to over think. While I'm walking or gardening the chattering and worries fade. The worst time is when I'm in bed and going to sleep. I find I'm turning into my mom. She went to sleep with the TV a lot of the time and I seem to be doing that ...
Do you have "Miss Vickie's" chips in your neck of the woods ...? DEEEE-lish.
I agree with your observation that lack of motivation tends to feed on itself, Sybil. When feeling like a lazy bum I allow for it, knowing that soon I will be buzzing around with renewed energy. Moods tend to come and go - none of them seem to last too long, for me, anyway.
ReplyDeleteWhen I feel sad I ask myself if I'm grieving for someone or some thing and let myself feel it as deeply as possible. Otherwise I think it's probably a problem with brain chemistry or the weather and since walking stimulates the brain to release endorphins, that seems to be the best pick-me-up. It's getting the motivation to get out the door - how lucky you are to have dogs to lead you on!
Thanks for your helpful observations Barbara. The dogs get me out and at the moment I'm leaving my kayak in my car as inspiration to go paddling more often. lol
DeleteLovely images. Great medicine. I'm lucky. I'm mostly a flatliner. I feel neither extreme highs or lows. That said, melancholy can sometimes creep in on foggy fingers. I guess I cope by hugging the cat and sleeping a bit more than usual. Getting outside is a definite plus, the trouble is, the cat doesn't need to be walked, so I lack that motivation. The hummingbirds, however, need to have their juice changed, so that get's me out the door.
ReplyDeleteThat term "flatliner" stopped me for a sec. Haven't heard it in this context. I think cat hugging and sleeping are natural reactions to "down" times. Wish I could attract Hummers. We have them in Nova Scotia but they don't come to my yard.
Delete