Coping mechanism
The way I cope with depression, anxiety, grief, longing, ptsd, trauma is by keeping myself busy. If I'm home I need to always do something otherwise I start thinking and feeling all the stuff. So I just go clean. Clean the windows, vacuum the carpets, mop the floors, wash.. Do the dishes, do the clothes, wash the bathrooms, anything, all while listening to my music on full blast on my pods. There's always something. Sometimes I just get exhausted, but I prefer that than having time to think and feel. At work I do a lot of extra hours, I mean a lot lot and go way beyond my responsibilities. When I go shopping for groceries I try to take as long as I can so I can change my routine a bit and refrain from always cleaning. I don't have OCD I'm just a very clean person and do that to occupy my mind and body,as my copying mechanism is to be so busy I don't have time to think. I also volunteer twice a week in a DV charity where I can just spend all day there. There are just days that are better than others and even tho I may have cleaned the whole house, went shopping, worked 14hours or whatever if I'm not exhausted I just cant fall asleep or if I do, I sleep like two or three hours and that's it.
Whats your copying mechanisms?
@DarknessAllAroundMe The way you’ve turned pain into motion, finding comfort in movement and routine, is something I deeply understand. It’s not about obsession it’s about survival. Keeping busy can be a lifeline when sitting still means drowning in memories or feelings that are just too much. I admire your strength in channeling that into work, care, and even volunteering—it speaks to how much you give, even when you’re hurting. For me, my coping mechanism is creating structure where I can journaling, helping others through listening, and making space for quiet hobbies like reading or walking when it feels safe enough to do so. But like you, there are days where distraction is what keeps me afloat. You're not alone in this, and your way of coping is valid and deeply human.
@DarknessAllAroundMe, your coping mechanisms ring true in me as well. Whenever it gets to be too much, I just need my mind to be occupied, I read a captivating book, or try to work on a craft, or if it gets really bad I go online. So long as there is no room in my mind to think, to feel, to experience, I will be okay. And eventually my body shuts down, sleep finds me, and I wake up to do it again. Because the cycle never ends. For the unconsciousness is only temporary, the reprieve always has a time limit. I applaud you for keeping yourself going. I applaud you for not giving in. I applaud you for finding something that works, even in the short term. I applaud you for getting up each morning. I applaud you for living life. I applaud you for being you. Keep going.
I have zero energy to move. All I want to do is sleep. Brushing my teeth is so overwhelming at the moment. Any advice?
I have zero energy to move. All I want to do is sleep. Brushing my teeth is so overwhelming at the moment. Any advice?