"Eyes forward!"

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-20-2009
"Eyes forward!"
2
Wed, 12-23-2009 - 1:39pm

Hey! I found a little trick that worked for me yesterday and I wanted to share it with you all. It’s so simple; I can’t believe I didn’t do it before.

My problem is obsessive thinking. Every moment I’m not totally preoccupied with RL, I’m in my ‘dark place’ and thinking painful and unhealthy thoughts that keep me from healing and moving forward. I was getting sooooo frustrated and (frankly) pissed off that I seem powerless to control my thoughts. I found that I was unable to fall asleep because the second I relaxed the thoughts would flood my brain. The moment I woke up in the morning, the thoughts pounced on me --- and in that half awake/half asleep state, I was really vulnerable and would usually end up crying. Not a good way to start the day, huh?

Last night, I tried this: the second my mind wondered back to X or the A, I would say to myself (on the inside!), and in a very stern tone (a la Third Grade Teacher style), “EYES FORWARD!” Unlike before, I didn’t try to analyze why I was feeling blue or overthink my state of mind… I just said, “EYES FORWARD!” and then substituted the dark thoughts with _anything_ else – even something as simple as, “I need to get more toothpaste, the kid has a playdate at 3:00, it’s porkchops for dinner….” Anyway, it worked. I got so bored repetitively doing that last night, that I actually fell asleep pretty easily. AND, I think because I didn’t think about X or the A before nodding off, I didn’t have the usual nightmares! Yeh, me!

And re: stalking, breaking NC or any other unhealthy, backsliding behavior?? I got a great piece of advice from a very lovely lady here at EAS. Every time I entertain the possibility of doing something of that sort (as in _not_ varying my route to work so that I avoid his house), I ask myself one simple question. “Pathetic?” “yah, ok. Then, NO.” Ew, pathetic SUCKS. I’m too prideful to be pathetic… on _purpose_!

Hope this super simple trick works for you, too.

Love, love, love and peace-
Dee

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-20-2009
Wed, 12-23-2009 - 2:32pm

Hey there my deeulta, I kinda of do the same thing excpet my words are "it's time to let this go"....thank you for your beautiful, kind words...You made my day....It is Day 28, and I finally broke today...I'm sure it is a combination of things...lol..."it is time to let this go"...lol.....Off these boards until Jan 4th....u can email me if need be....Merry CHristmas, Happy New Year....LOVE>HUGS>PEACE>FAITH>


May we all find Peace!

BE the change that you want to see in the world! Life loves me and I love life! <3
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2008
Wed, 12-23-2009 - 4:17pm

Hi Dee,


Glad you found something that works for you.


Merry Christmas on eyes forward on sweet dreams no more nightmares!


Big, Big hugs


E1


Whether you think you can or you think you cant you are probably right.


A parrot can repeat what it has learned but the mark of true intelligence is applying what is learned.

Whether you think you can or you think you can't you are probably right. A parrot can repeat what it has learned but the mark of true intelligence is applying what is learned.