Problem Solving
Some days are more demanding than others. Those might be the days we need to play more.
What is it about some days? Things can be going along well enough and then, out of the blue, something crops up. The phone rings with “news” that requires your immediate attention. You get a piece of mail that needs to be taken care of. Or there’s a knock on the door with some announcement. Or things just…happen.
They throw us off our game.
Not that we haven’t been there before - we all remember 2020, after all! But, still. The little things that we bump up against can cause worry, fear, frustration, irritation, anger, dread.
If you’re like me, you try to solve those problems while you’re in those somewhat discombobulated emotional states.
You expend energy trying to consider all the things you could do to pre-empt the next problem that could be on your doorstep if you don't address the one that has arrived. Your if/then possibilities become endless.
But, again, if you’re like me, it’s the least productive thing you can do!
Problem solving when you’re distressed is like trying to scuba dive with a buoy attached to your chest. (Not that I can scuba dive, but…I’ve been told!)
What we really need to do is get to a state of mind and heart where we can actually think and problem solve. To feel, if not happy, at least calm and somewhat “safe” in the moment.
From there, while we may not be able to figure out all the possible things we may need to do - no crystal ball, after all - we may be able to arrive at our “next right step”. And that’s usually all we can realistically accomplish anyway.
What helps me? Breathing. Talking to a friend. Going for a walk in nature. Playing boardgames. Cooking a meal that engages my senses.
When was the last time you tried to problem solve while distressed? Did it work? How did you get to a feeling calm and safe enough to arrive at solutions? Your next right step?
What worked for you?
Do more of that!
Wishing you peace, love and many delights.