OT:Taking a Time Out

You Are Not Crazy

Most of us feel a little crazy from time to time. Periods of high stress can make us feel like we're losing it, as can being surrounded by people whose values are very different from our own. Losing a significant relationship and moving into a new life situation are other events that can cause us to feel off kilter. Cir****tances like these recur in our lives, and they naturally affect our mental stability. The symptoms of our state of mind can range from having no recollection of putting our car keys where we eventually find them, to wondering if we're seeing things clearly when everyone around us seems to be in denial of what's going on right in front of their eyes. For most of us, the key to survival at times like these is to step back, take a deep breath, and regain our composure. Then we can decide what course of action to take.

Sometimes a time-out does the trick. We take a day off from whatever is making us feel crazy and, like magic, we feel in our right mind again. Talking to an objective friend can also help. We begin to see what it is about the situation that destabilizes us, and we can make changes from there. At other times, if the situation is particularly sticky, we may need to seek professional help. Meeting with someone who understands the way the human mind reacts to stress, loss, and difficulty can make us feel less alone and more supported. A therapist or a spiritual counselor can give us techniques that help bring us back to a sane state of mind so that we can affect useful changes. They can also mirror our basic goodness, helping us to see that we are actually okay.

The main purpose of the wake-up call that feeling crazy provides is to let us know that something in our lives is out of balance. Confirm for yourself that you are capable of creating a sane and peaceful reality for yourself. Try to remember that most people have felt, at one time or another, that they are losing it. You deserve a life that helps you thrive. Try and take some steps today to help you achieve more balance and a little less crazy.

 Try to remember that most people have felt, at one time or another, that they are losing it. You deserve a life that helps you thrive. Try and take some steps today to help you achieve more balance and a little less crazy.

very good darlene!!!! i moved on with MY life and am SO GLAD I DID!!!! living with a man that always belittled me and then had voices telling him to kill me was the last straw!!! i got out and moved on with my life...i AM very happy with my life now and am loved every day also!!! what a change!!!! i am so blessed to have this man in my life that appreciates me and everything that i do. LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!

thanks for this post!!!

Judy, I am so glad that you have the happiness that you have searched for. We all deserve to be loved for who we are....warts and all. I know that you have that now and that brings joy to my heart.

Congratulations on the 1 year anniversary of your move to toward the man who you love so much.

Sending much love and plenty of hugs to go with it your way....

Brenda, I love your sign-off phrase: "Life may not be the party we hoped for but while we're here we may as well dance." Wonderful! Maureen

Hi Judy, I have to drop in to say hello - have been reading your posts for some time and you sound like such an upbeat, positive person - thanks for sharing that energy! By the way, do you ride?  I am a horse lover and have my own beautiful mare at home with me - never, EVER thought I would be able to get on a horse (maintaining at 158 from 360 after over 5 years - yeah for me!!!) Take care, Maureen P.S. Love this Darlene!

Darlene... thanks for posting this. You are right...sometimes it is best to just step away for a while.
Life is certaiunly full of challenges!!

Love and hugs....connie d

 Sometimes in the middle of the life frenzy it is hard to step back and be objective.  Having friends and sometimes strangers with words of wisdom surely help.  I'm so glad I have the group here on OFF.

Millie

How did you get into my mind?

This is a very good post.  I incorporate the stepping back principle in many avenues of my life.  I even advise my students to step back from their writing for a day or two and rest from it.  Then, when they go back, they will have a fresher perspective.  When I was writing my dissertation, there were many stepping back and taking a breath and still taking breaths and replunging in making my corrections.  I've had to take pauses from friendships that were seemingly suffocating and from coworkers who are either loud and over demanding or just negative in their attitudes.  So, taking pauses has been for me a way to survive on both a professional and personal level.  I even take small pauses from my husband.  He doesn't see them as pauses but more as my girls' night out. LOL. 
Another great post.

Jeannie, I often have to take a step back and take a couple of deep breaths. I take the time that Bill is at work and when I am up to it I take Brenda time. I love to go to the library and just sit and read or even sit and just look out the window that overlooks a wooded area. It brings me peace when I take the me time that we all need. We often forget to take our time because we are always spread so thin most of the time.