If you follow me on Instagram, you'll have seen a nice stretch of positive, happy, empowered posts. I'm often dancing, exclaiming that every day feels like Friday, and having oh so much inspiration and positivity to share - even gloat about. To my disappointment, and even panic, I've hit my first wall of "stress" since this whole joy-ride began.
My initial reaction is to panic and quickly find a way to override this stress and return to a state of being unstoppable. Ah, but any stress-relief activity I've tried thus far is but a temporary relief. For example, I treated myself to an hour long massage. During that hour things were peaceful, my mind quiet. Once I walked out the massage parlor doors? Stress is back.
I don't necessarily like being stressed, especially because of the way it effects the people around me. I digress.
So...what the hell am I going to do? This is kind of new for me. In the past I'd smoke weed for a week straight or play video games all day long. Shoot, even a whole bag of chips or a PayDay candy bar would have done the trick. But, again, those are temporary. And I am up for a more "natural" solution, so to speak.
Stress Release is Stress Relief
Here's the game plan: Instead of trying to run away from the stress, or overturn it into happiness, I'm just going to let it be. I'm going to allow myself to experience the stress. I'm going to let this stress express itself.
What that looks like is long sighs, agitated commentary, unfair judgmental remarks on things that do not deserve it. Complaining. Whining even.
The point is not to blame the world or other people, the point is to let whatever these emotions and thoughts that I experience as stress, be released.
Just as when happiness overcomes us, and we must shout with joy. When stress overcomes us, we must shout with anger and frustration. It is no different.
It's just energy. The words that come out as a result of the stress energy, they don't mean anything. They are just bi-products of the stress energy being released.
To be responsible, it is probably best not to direct this energy at someone directly. And most likely a good idea not to handle any high-priority items in this state.
But, if you need a half-hour to talk mad sh*t about the world, just on your own with nobody around, then go do that. It doesn't make you a bad person. You don't actually mean it. You just need to release that stress.
As humans, we are both the devil and the angel. The happiness and the sadness. The success and the failure. The duality of it all.
So, if you're stressed out, don't suppress it, express it! (without hurting someone else)
WEEEEEE. I hate everyone and love everyone at the same time.
:) <3
Next Chapter Incoming!!!