Emotional Whiplash Part 2

I’ve escaped the pit. I tossed a rope and pulled myself out. Well done, Leigh. Well done. I shouldn’t take full credit. I had a lot of  help. I wrote a letter/ prayer to God in my new God journal begging for him to help me. Justin was there for me, as always. He’s my steadfast champion and he pointed out I had moods like this before and they always passed. Of course he was right. I didn’t tell any of my friends how I was feeling but as if they knew two of my best friends texted me to make plans next week. And my parents sat down with me after dinner for a game of Rummy 500.

I usually read on the couch after dinner with my boyfriend sweater and a fluffy blanket but I’m not going to turn down a game of Rummy 500. We set up the speakers and each of us took turns playing a song of our choice. It’s not as fun without my brother but in a month we will all be on vacation together playing Balderdash and canoeing and sitting in the heat while he plays disc golf.

Anyway, midway through this rummy game I realized I was smiling (and at one point laughing so hard it turned into wheezing). I realized I felt lighter and  not as though some creepy spectre was sideeying me from across the room. I felt a burden literally lift off my shoulder and I  don’t know if that was a higher power touching me on the shoulder letting me know everything will be all right but it was so dramatic that it felt like that. The upswing caught me off guard but in a pleasant way. Like when someone hands you a present for absolutely no reason.

Or it could have been because I was engaging in a coping mechanism which is spending time with my family. Here are some other small coping strategies that might help others who are at a low point:

• Make a Youtube playlist of funny videos. Almost all the Youtubers I subscribe to relate to political or social issues in America, which can  be very sobering (not to mention polarizing). But I have a selection of channels to fall back on when I’m looking to crack a smile. They include KallMeKris (her Facebook clips are also hilarious), SMOSH, Dudeperfect and Ryan George. Or (valid suggestion) just watch a film off the sci-fi channel. Get a load of the “so bad its good”

• Engage with an animal. This kind of hurts to write since I am still missing Scout. Hell,  I’m still missing Susie. My two cats were the love of my life. We got them around the time I was diagnosed with two serious anxiety disorders and I quickly realized that playing with them or snuggling with them alleviated my anxiety and helped me get through middle school. Dogs are great for this as well and my friend Katie will put in a good word for horses.

• Read a light hearted book. Some snobs look down on “beach reads” or “chick lit” But sometimes they can be like a balm on a minor burn. You get swept up in the lives of the rich and famous with problems that aren’t really problems and suddenly you forget yours. There are no disturbing themes here like war or SA or abuse. If they are,  they are barely touched on; you don’t swim in the pain of the characters. There is a time and place for that. But that isn’t here and now. Here you need to focus on you and erasing your pain.

• Pray. Just try it. Talk to God, preferably out loud so you can tell what you are actually thinking (voicing it makes it more easy to understand). I’m not trying to force religion down anybody’s throat. I just think if you are in this low point you should give it a chance.

I have work again tomorrow. Am I apprehensive? Honestly, yes. And boy do I have a crowded weekend staring me in the face. But I’m going to get through this. Even if it gives me whiplash.