On the Emotional Roller Coaster
July 25, 2007
Earlier in the month I said I was getting back to my blogging roots… I was throwing out the idea of a theme… I was returning RMA to what it was in the beginning - a personal blog.
Well I’m sure some people are wondering what that means since it’s been quiet around here for a couple of a weeks. “Funny… Derick says he’s going to be talking more about himself again… and then all goes quiet. Guess there’s not much to talk about”. Haha.
That’s not really the case.
I’ve got some stuff going on. I’m not ready to publicly analyze myself just yet. And I’ve got some family stuff to deal with on top of the stuff going on in my head. So needless to say… it’s kinda busy up here these days. Oh… I’m tapping on my head. I don’t guess you can see that. Haha.
I’ve always found the radical emotional changes that are possible in humans fascinating. When I worked at the hospital I’d go into a huge spill during rational emotive therapy about the dangers of acting strictly on emotion. Emotions, I’d say, are like a roller coaster: they go up and down over and over again, sometimes in a matter of a few minutes. If we base our behavior and our perspectives on those emotions, they too can radically go up and down. It’s much more healthy to act and react from a rational, truth-based perspective… because the truth doesn’t often change.
I also know that when folks get in a funk one of the first things that changes is their desire to do the things they enjoy. Interest in activities we once enjoyed are a huge indicator of the way someone is feeling. Say… oh… I dunno… they like to write on a blog… and then suddenly don’t… chances are something is going on. I just pulled that example out of my ass, too. No… really. Haha.
So yes… I’m in a funk… and because of that I’ve let my favoritest, most prized possession go neglected for a couple of weeks (I’m talking about RMA here). I guess I talk so much about human nature and emotions that I sometimes forget that all of those things apply to me, too! Haha. It’s a simple enough mistake. I always try to stand on the outside and look in on a situation. I guess I stood a little too far on the outside this time.
What am I doing about it? I’m taking my own advice! I fired up WordPress to write this post (as inspirational and uplifting as it is… haha)… and it makes me happy. I’ve thrown on my headphones and I’m jamming out because, as I’ve said numerous times, music is a big part of my life… and it makes me happy.
And you’ll never guess what happened?!? I found myself sitting in front of this blog dancing around in my chair, shaking my seated ass, and singing loudly - which, as I’ve mentioned before, just thrills my neighbors.
So there you have it. Two birds with one stone: 1) an explanation for the lack of postage and 2) my first big self-disclosure since deciding to go personal with RMA once more.
And here you thought I was just too boring to have anything to talk about….
Posted in
- The Emotional Roller Coaster
- The Emotional Roller Coaster
- Series
- The Emotional Pressure Cooker
- Why Don’t Boys Cry?
July 26th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
I want to say something encouraging, supportive, inspirational, but this image of you dancing around your computer keeps popping in my head so nothing’s coming.
Glad you could “shake” away some of the funk. :)
July 28th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Hey, you’re human too! Just because you’ve dealt with psychiatric patients, it doesn’t mean you’re superhuman yourself. I mean doctors get sick, dentists get toothaches, nutritionists get fat and auto mechanics’ car may breakdown too. All I’m trying to say is that it’s OKAY to be down at times. It’s part of life. As long as you recognize the signs it when it comes and hits you, then you can help yourself. No need to say anymore, you’re the expert in this field. But you hope you feel better now. (We do miss your posts! :))
July 28th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
@laanba: It’s the thought that counts, so thanks ;) “Shaking” always helps de-funkify. I highly recommend it to all! The impromptu type that just happens is my favorite. Before you know what’s happened you’re singing into a highlighter and shaking your ass like a go-go dance. Haha.
Maybe I need to get some of those sexy boots they always wear… haha!
@MY: I’ve never considered myself “superhuman” by any stretch of the imagination. But I’ve spent so much time looking at others and trying to help others with their own funkiness that I forgot to look at my own. I realize that being down is part of life and I’d never assume that working with psychiatric patients would make one immune to anything. Heck… one of the most unhappy and miserable people I’ve ever known was a co-worker at the hospital! Haha. I guess the thing that surprises me is how easily I can pick up on signs in other people but how slowly I notice them in myself.
But then… I’ve always said that it’s much easier for people to see things from the outside than it is to see them internally.
July 28th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Whoops… I hit “submit” too soon! Haha
I was going to also say that, at the very least, getting into a funk of my own has been an interesting learning experience. And I’m always a fan of things that make me go inside and look at myself. It’s the best way to learn!
July 29th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
“And I’m always a fan of things that make me go inside and look at myself. It’s the best way to learn!”
Hmmm…Have you studied into or know anything about “The Secret Life: The Psychology of Living a Lie”? I sort of got myself interested after reading some articles on the “secret lives” of people in general. I’m looking forward to hearing your views on this if you have any. (Feel free to create a whole post on this as you have done for “The Fear of Public Speaking”.) Thanks.
July 29th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
That post will have to wait: I don’t know anything about “The Secret Life” ;) But I’ll put it on my reading list and get back to you.
August 5th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
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