this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2024
-73 points (12.4% liked)
Showerthoughts
29723 readers
457 users here now
A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.
Rules
- All posts must be showerthoughts
- The entire showerthought must be in the title
- Avoid politics
- NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
- Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
- Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
- Posts must be original/unique
- Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct-----
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
Problems you're distracted from don't go away, they grow.
Yes, and no. You don’t want to only do this with all your problems, all the time, but avoidance is a perfectly valid coping/self-protection mechanism, and we shouldn’t be afraid of using it like any other tool to help us go through hardship. Sometimes, purposefully choosing to face things later, but taking that time to prepare, heal, and be better equipped to face your problems, can absolutely be the better choice.
For example, my wife and I have learned very rough news a couple of weeks back. It has long term implications, and requires a lot of research on our part. It’s however very emotionally taxing to do so. We therefore are taking in the info as piecemeal as I can, and completely avoid the subject the rest of the time. It so far has kept us sane in a situation that triggered my panic attacks for the first time in a decade when I first learned about it.
Agreed. As long as you're processing/dealing whatever, however slow, it's fine. Speaking from personal experience, filling every bit of time you can with stimulation to avoid dealing with things will fuck you up in the long term.