Hey, Miss J!

Daily writing prompt

What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?

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I have done the screaming in the basement technique before.

I’ve also just curled up in bed and took a nap.

I listen to music… cook different things, draw, watch Cat TV with my pets. I like “Happy Color” too… while my actual easel is still on the front porch.

I try to be active even though I have so many problems with my nerves and joints now.

Most important… I speak with my friends.

You thought I was going to say my family?

Naw! I leave ’em alone.

In the past, I had self-destructive methods for dealing with negative feelings, such as watching an excessive amount of pornography for hours at a time, binge-eating, refusing to shower for days, excessive gaming and not sleeping enough.

I can’t tolerate alcohol, so I never took to drinking. Also, spending money on drugs would have taken money away from food, and I never wanted to do that.

Now, I see the lack of sleep as an indicator of being in “mania” again.

I think my current strategies are a lot more productive.

~J. Lyst