Observe and describe work well for me on long drives, too, smonster.
I used to play New Age lyric-less music in the office to help keep me focused on task. If I'm hearing lyrics, I'm typing lyrics into the memo or letter. Doesn't work for counting cash by hand, either.
Long drives, though, audiobooks (or podfic) are a savior. Even when my car was so lacking in insulation that road noise drowned out music, I could still hear the spoken voice. If I'm writing, I'll work out dialog. And if I'm having disagreements or arguments with person or persons, I'll rehearse different confrontation scenarios.
What?
And if I'm having disagreements or arguments with person or persons, I'll rehearse different confrontation scenarios.
I LOVE this game! In those different scenarios I will cut you with my clever words. My enemiesfigments quell at my visage. Feeaaaar meeee!!
Seriously, I get so much energy from this activity that I sometimes have to ration my time with it.
Sometimes it helps when I get into obsessive thinking to just write it all down as it crosses my mind. Not journaling really, just transferring it from my mind to the paper. And then when I get over the hump a bit rip all the paper up.
Lately I've had stray anxious thoughts pop right up as I'm falling asleep - usually I'm drifting off and then bam! "Omigod I forgot to do X at work they are going to fire me!" and I'm wide awake. What I've found really good for that is recalling some of my favorite fanfic or a favorite movie or something.
I do what Barb does, a lot. Pretty much before any kind of big conversation or major deal I've played different scenarios in my head.
I don't do it as much, but for the longest time my biggest outlet to deal with stress was just imagining - like writing fanfic in my head. I used to do this a lot - just pace in my room and make up scenarios and stuff in my head.
Update in the ongoing saga of "woe-is-me":
I didn't get the temp job I interviewed for and don't have an assignment for Monday.
My injured hand is now bruised and aching.
:-(
Good ~ma coming your way, amych. I hope things turn out the best for you.
edited to add hugs for {{{quester}}}
Thanks, hon. No denying I've dug my own way into this hole, but right now I'm kinda beyond even knowing which way I want out of it. Sigh.
{{{quester}}}
{{{amych}}} May the weekend bring you clarity on your desires regardless of what happens Tuesday.
{{quester}}
{{amych}}
Heeey, can I just scrunch you guys together? {{questeramych}}
:: jumps in the group hug pile!::
