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Ruminating thoughts

Treehugger75 profile image
24 Replies

What helps you move past ruminating thoughts? I’m running out of tools I know that have worked in the past, and I feel myself slipping down that rabbit hole again.

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Treehugger75 profile image
Treehugger75
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24 Replies
FriendlyDude profile image
FriendlyDude

I find that good things and good thoughts are weapons against bad thoughts in general. For me, when I’m not feeling good, bad thoughts are harder to kick out. But when I feel good, the bad thoughts have less power and I can kick ‘em out with a mere flick! (It’s not always that easy, but yes, the better I feel, the easier it is to maintain good thoughts and keep the bad ones out). I’d simply suggest, though it can be really hard, to do your best to take care of yourself. Make sure you’re doing things that make you truly happy, stay healthy, and just do your best. Believe in yourself! A great way to feel good (and get rid of bad thoughts) is to help others as well.

I believe in you! I wish you the best! :)

Treehugger75 profile image
Treehugger75 in reply to FriendlyDude

You are right; my ruminations increase while my self care decreases. I’m hopeful I can be more mindful to help me “climb back out” before I feel worse. Thank you for the pep talk; you are a very friendly dude. 😊😂

FriendlyDude profile image
FriendlyDude in reply to Treehugger75

Haha, nice one 😂 you called me a friendly dude, and my profile name is FriendlyDude. And you’re welcome (: we all need some encouragement.

I wish you the best! Good luck :) and stay positive!

Kat_21 profile image
Kat_21

Positive vibes! I try to look at the bright side regardless of how bad things get. Sometimes I still have episodes where I'm just down and out, but a positive mindset has truly helped me. It is what it is and you can't change it, so make the most of it!

FearIsALiar profile image
FearIsALiar in reply to Kat_21

Yess!!

Treehugger75 profile image
Treehugger75 in reply to Kat_21

You are so right! Many of my ruminations are things I can’t control. I’m spinning my mental wheels in the mud and getting nowhere. Thank you for the insight

FriendlyDude profile image
FriendlyDude

Whoa, I’m sorry for your loss. Nov 27 is my sister’s bday! That’s a crazy coincidence

I hope you feel better soon! :)

As the others said, replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Also, acknowledge the bad thoughts and then dismiss them. If they pop back again, dismiss them again. Try not to let them hold your attention.

The best way to get your head out of the past is to do an activity in the present. But I'm not very good at that!

I love the quote and picture, by the way! Thanks for sharing it!

Treehugger75 profile image
Treehugger75 in reply to

Thanks. Sounds like a mindfulness almost meditative accept & redirect practice. I like it!

FearIsALiar profile image
FearIsALiar

I’m struggling with this as well!!

Keeping yourself busy or learning a new hobby can do wonders!

Treehugger75 profile image
Treehugger75 in reply to FearIsALiar

Keeping busy is what works a lot for me too. Those moments when I’m not busy is when these ruminations keep popping in head - constantly trying to redirect my thoughts is getting exhausting.

FearIsALiar profile image
FearIsALiar in reply to Treehugger75

Same here

I'm sorry that your slipping. I try my best to do something else when I feel myself slipping, but I'm not always successful. More often than not I fall asleep (one of my coping mechanisms). My husband helps a lot here with getting me out ( although sometimes he's not successful). It is really hard. Make sure to drink plenty of water and eat healthy. My husband is on a low carb diet and I'm trying my best to join him for support. We have both noticed positive affects on our mood. Do you have any hobbies or things that you enjoy doing?

I love the quote, btw. The rent analogy is great!

Treehugger75 profile image
Treehugger75 in reply to

Thank you for sharing. I am engaging in hobbies I enjoy and spend a lot of time with daughter which does help. Some days are better than others.

in reply to Treehugger75

You're welcome! Yep, I hear you there! Not every day is going to go well and that is normal. It doesn't stop those down days from being uncomfortable, though.😔

Treehugger75 profile image
Treehugger75

I’m so sorry you are dealing with such a difficult situation; sad anniversaries are the absolute worst on our mental health. I’m here if you ever want to chat.

Thank you for the ideas; I’ve done some dbt work but not cbt, so I will check that out.

As far as removing the toxic people that are not good for my healing - which is one of my ruminating thoughts btw - is something I think I have to accept that I can’t control with physically distance right now. (Working on mentally and emotionally detaching though)

Treehugger75 profile image
Treehugger75

That was so sweet of your dad; I would have been bawling my eyes out. I’m sorry you feel like your brother has been forgotten by some; I know that hurts. I’ve never lost a sibling (lost both my parents sadly); I can’t say that I know exactly what you’re going through, but I’m here to listen and virtual hug.

The letter writing and journaling is very therapeutic for me. Thank you for the reminder that I should do that more.

Hugs!

AnxM profile image
AnxM

I am struggling so badly with rumination. I practice mindfulness meditations, and am very very slowly but surely getting better. Before I could only meditate for 2 minutes max before the bad thoughts start up but now I can go a full 7 minutes. Before I could not listen to a whole song without going into rumination hell, but now I can listen to a couple of songs.

So it's still a struggle, but I think I am slowly moving in the right direction. Self-harm during rumination has greatly diminished as well. I was motivated to do better after I almost blinded myself by accidentally punching my eye.

Treehugger75 profile image
Treehugger75 in reply to AnxM

I’m happy for you that the self harm is diminishing. This can be such a hellish battle as times.

Music is such a trigger for me right now. I have to skip through a lot of my playlist some times because certain songs cause really intense overwhelming emotions. I’ve been rocking out to the Disney Pandora station and Christmas music lately lol. It’s mostly fun and safe.

AnxM profile image
AnxM

Yes, please stay away from anything that triggers you. Disney/Christmas music sounds like a good bet! Have you watched the romantic comedy Last Christmas? It features lots of George Michael songs. I was able to watch half of it before my mind wandered into my personal hell.

AnxM profile image
AnxM in reply to AnxM

What I was trying to say is that you might like the movie because of the Christmas theme. The main character works in a Christmas ornament shop.

Treehugger75 profile image
Treehugger75 in reply to AnxM

Oh gotcha. I might look it up; I try to watch movies and up falling asleep anyway usually. Do you know if it’s on Hulu or Netflix by chance?

Treehugger75 profile image
Treehugger75 in reply to AnxM

Never heard of it. I watched Elf with my kid which was fun. I’m not much into romance stuff really; it kinda depresses me more.

AnxM profile image
AnxM in reply to Treehugger75

Oh sorry!

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