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07 August 2011

Loose ends [More:] What do you do when you can't figure out what you should or want to do? Everything is just so blah, and I'm crawling in my own skin.

Any suggestions on how to get out of this funk? It's one I find myself in a lot.
I take such a feeling as a deep insight into the nature of reality.
posted by Obscure Reference 07 August | 10:10
Long, sustained naps. Answers will be revealed in dreams.
posted by The Whelk 07 August | 10:48
Naps are a go-to for this situation, that's for sure.
posted by Stewriffic 07 August | 10:51
Pack a lunch and head for a library, preferably one I have never yet visited.
posted by Ardiril 07 August | 10:55
I've been knitting and listening to the radio. I've also gone back to playing old school solitaire, with actual cards.
posted by JanetLand 07 August | 10:56
Lots of naps. And reading mindless books that I've read dozens of times before.
posted by sperose 07 August | 11:15
My go to is reading material because I'm kind of overload with it right now, but I suggest walks. It's healthy and you might run into something interesting. I live in a very unwalkable place so I could be hyping it up in my head, but walking would be an active way to work through the weird feelings. Also, you could try 20 minutes of meditation.
posted by ethylene 07 August | 11:23
If you find out, let me know.
posted by Melismata 07 August | 12:07
A book and a bath, maybe with a cup of good coffee or a glass of wine. (Assuming it's just a funk and nothing that needs treatment.)
posted by JoanArkham 07 August | 12:19
Exercise is the only thing that works on the "crawling in my own skin" feeling for me. Preferably followed by some time in the jacuzzi.

Being outdoors in nature, either hiking or just sitting and reading, is also good for slowing me down a bit. What you're describing sounds like the way I am when I'm so anxious that I'm paralyzed, which is when my anxiety-brain is saying "OMG DO SOMETHING! MOVE MOVE MOVE!" but what actually is most helpful is slowing down and doing nothing for a while but processing the feelings behind the anxiety. But if the processing isn't happening, then sometimes just sitting and waiting it out for a bit can help.

Also, fairly large quantities of fish oil tablets seem to help me a bit, as well as B vitamins.
posted by occhiblu 07 August | 12:32
I'd go for a long run or bike ride and work up a good sweat. I always feel great after a workout.
posted by octothorpe 07 August | 12:34
when my anxiety-brain is saying "OMG DO SOMETHING! MOVE MOVE MOVE!"

YES that's what it is. And yeah, exercise and/or the outdoors would be awesome, but I messed up yesterday and overheated myself, and now I've been told to stay out of the sun and not get sweaty for a few days.

I ended up taking a shower and going out to the store and buying myself a pair of shoes. Retail therapy! I'm a bit better now, but not awesome.
posted by Stewriffic 07 August | 13:44
Oh, I get ya: I often get that fizzy-buzzy MUST DO SOMETHING feeling when I've tweaked my back and can't MOVE MOVE MOVE. In those circumstances, I sometimes do intensive grooming: spa-like stuff that I don't often, like a sugar body scrub or foot pumicing or something.

It hits that weird sweet spot: it's productive but frivolous, it keeps you busy but doesn't strain or stress you, and --- I think this is pretty important --- it reminds you that you love yourself enough to treat yourself well.
posted by Elsa 07 August | 13:54
I use naps to get a "reset" for a day that isn't going well. To get ideas, I go to a bookstore, drink a strong coffee, look at some art/science/computer books, and then I write down whatever comes to mind. However, I don't necessarily recommend this method for others...
posted by DarkForest 07 August | 13:57
Impose upon a friend IRL, if possible. Other people's problems are always easier, and you'll later return the favor. Drag yourself outside, but to their place.
posted by skbw 07 August | 14:03
During such times, I do as little as possible and wait for inspiration to strike me again.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero 07 August | 14:53
Better Use Of Leisure Time.
posted by JanetLand 07 August | 15:10
JanetLand that rocks. Am watching it right now. So far the hobbies they suggest are:

Birdwatching (CHECK)
Part time work (CHECK)
Sewing (CHECK)
Swimming
Playing the piano
Male physical group activity (looked kind of like gymnastics gone rogue)
Reading (CHECK)
Making things that fly (I think?)

Ken, the protagonist, chose photography.

A good use of leisure time should
• Give you a change
• Help you learn things
• Have a long range goal
posted by Stewriffic 07 August | 15:26
Elsa is giving in to the mammal response of grooming. I definitely should do more grooming.
posted by ethylene 07 August | 17:36
Elsa is giving in to the mammal response of grooming.

That's exactly right. Heck, I should get The Fella to do it for me sometime; it would probably be twice as soothing to whatever part of the monkeybrain craves grooming. Social monkeygrooming FTW!

Oftentimes when I'm already half-crabby, I just tackle some crabby-making chore I've been putting off. I figure if I'm already ending into annoyance, cleaning the bathroom or organizing the closet won't make it worse and just miiiiiight make it better. But if my physical state just won't allow that, grooming is a pretty good plan.

JanetLand, I'm bookmarking that RIGHT NOW.
posted by Elsa 07 August | 17:57
For me reading or preparing the basics for a complex meal. Often there are a lot of intermediate steps that you can do and then store in the fridge that makes the final prep take very little time.
posted by Splunge 08 August | 06:02
I want someone to pick my nits... right now :)
posted by halonine 08 August | 09:46
This || In the interests of food porn envy...

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