A slow realization I've been having:
There's actually nothing inherently wrong with doing what you feel like. But there is a silly way and a wise way to do this.
Example: Say I am overloaded with homework, tired, and feeling down on myself. What I feel like doing is crawling into bed — never mind the time of day — and passing out for a few hours to excuse myself from life and thinking and productivity.*
I will sometimes do just that. But then my sleep schedule gets messed up and I wake up more stressed, because I have less time, and I feel more frustrated with myself for procrastinating.
The NEW way (feelings are the new black!) involves asking myself once more, What do you really feel like doing?
("...Whatever I FEEL like. GOSH.")
So yes, I prod my brain a second time, and it responds with the real answer behind the desire to sleep and procrastinate and shut things out: What I really feel like doing is not being stressed and not hating myself for procrastinating. I want to feel calmer and happier, so that I don't feel the need to pull the covers over my head.
And then I figure out what would make me feel calmer and happier — e.g., laying out a plan of productivity for the rest of the day and making some green tea before attacking it — and I am free to do whatever that is.
Easy-peasy.
*note: for me, taking a nap is rarely a good idea, but of course naps can be just the right thing sometimes/for some people. just to be clear that I would never badmouth napping in general.
you are so smart.
ReplyDeleteaw I know what my problem is, I don't like going to class not knowing. Weird huh? especially since we are supposed to go to school to learn but if I come to class unprepared I freak and my nerves get the best of me.
ReplyDeleteI heart break-throughs.
ReplyDeleteWHY IS TAKING A NAP NOT A GOOD IDEA?
ReplyDelete(i'm wondering if your experience correlates with my lifelongly consistently bad experience of naps)
btw since these are really old posts i doubt i'll go back to check if you reply to them... would you be willing to email me if you do want to reply?