It could be considered natural human reaction to feel at times that even daily chores are overwhelming. We fret. We become obsessed with inconsequential matters. We start thinking about more than the ordinary; we start ‘feeling.’ This is where we need to recall that ‘feelings are not facts.’
Just what does that mean? We are so immersed in our speculations and illusions, that they start looking like real life situations. But, in fact, they’re merely ‘thoughts’ or ‘feelings.’
When a ‘problem’ or a given set of circumstances seems too large or intractable, we ‘feel bad’. This might be a spiritual crisis, a problem with accomplishments, or failure in love or friendship.The ‘feeling’ is real. But it’s not a fact.
I have experimented and the logic behind it baffles me. To start with, I wrote this on my bathroom mirror: “Whatever you say or do is more important than what goes on inside your head.”
To keep it simple, it just means that the thoughts in my head are that–thughts inside the head. What I do about them is the action, it’s outside the head in the real world and unlike feelings, the action has units of measurement. Facts can be counted.
Feeling bad isn’t the problem; the problem itself is the problem. This might help you to respond to existential crises of all sorts.
How to Manage
These might appear the most meaningless things to do, they work.
Turn on a light, preferably 75 watts or brighter.
Drink a cool glass of water.
Clean whatever room you’re in. This will help you clarify your power over the world and give you a few minutes to do some basic problem-solving. Don’t just straighten things up, but clean.
Try to voice what your problem is — write full-length sentences to help determine the issues, if necessary.
Imagine giving advice to someone else in your situation. Would you still think this was as big a problem?
If you can’t do anything about your problem right now, accept it. That gives a new perspective to the whole scenario of ‘feeling drowned in problems.’
Some Tips from WikiHow
Don’t refuse to confront a problem because life is supposed to be more meaningful when you suffer.
Don’t do too much thinking after midnight. That never goes well. You might turn into a gremlin or worse yet, a pumpkin. Seriously, you never know.
Don’t be afraid to laugh and make fun of yourself. It’s a good way to find out who you really are. This practice gives you a true sense of personal freedom.
Don’t ever fool yourself into thinking there is such a thing as “normal”. If you do, you’re adding unnecessary weight to your problems.
Take care of your body.
Last Word
Just remember that feelings are inside the head, real only to you. What you do about them is real to the whole world.
Entries (RSS)
allow me to go one step farther: neither lack of feelings nor surfeit of facts make up for bad grammar. you didn’t need that comma on the mirror. “whatever you say or do, is more important than what goes on inside your head.” that comma is bothering me. the comma itself is a problem. take care of your body of writing.
best,leila
I agree. The comma has no place there. I will edit it now.
Thank you for pointing that out, and I’m sorry it bothered you.