You're Grounded!

Alright so the title is likely a line you have all heard many times growing up. The word grounding has quite the negative connotation to most but getting grounded is actually quite important if you can get pasts the memories of standing in corners or being sent to your room.

The grounding I am referring to actually has little to do with punishment and all to do with finding balance. I am of course referencing the importance of grounding ourselves emotionally when life sets us off balance.  

Think of the relaxed feeling you get while working on a hobby, of the high you get from working out, or the peaceful satisfaction you get from completing a puzzle.  

Lately, me and mine have been experiencing some difficult times. You know those times, times when it feels like anything and everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Those not so awesome times when everything just starts hitting you all at once and your bed starts to seem like a wonderfully inviting place perfect for spending the rest of your life curled up in a blanket burrito.  

Yes, when we are down and in a mood, sometimes it is necessary to let it all out, to emotionally purge that sadness and frustrations to make room for the courage and strength to face tomorrow. Sometimes however, the switch is not as easily made from one state to the other and we find ourselves stuck. Thus, the importance of having outlets that assist in grounding us. Distractions from our current mood that help us get centered so that we can transition to a happier self with sturdy feet.  

Last week, it felt like everything was hitting me all at once. Bad things were bombarding me like a canon fight on the open sea. Big things, little things, all of the things in between. I honestly dreaded getting out of bed in the morning.  

Though I tried to focus on silver linings: my family, my awesome friends, memories of my trip and my birthday party, staying positive just wasn't happening... I had to find a way of forcing myself from my own worst enemy. Me.  

You know what it's like when you get into those ruts. Motivation falls to an all time low, productivity gets dragged down with it, and you are left doing the bare minimum, you are left feeling like you are just barely getting by. Work, home, Netflix, food, sleep, start over.  

So, what do you do when you are stuck in a loop? You create a new loop to get stuck in.  

You ground yourself.  

Much like when you were a child and were told: Come home, do your homework, eat dinner, do your chores, go to bed. No phone, no television, no friends, and no going out. Only this time, you are creating your own rules and restrictions. (Though in all honesty, my mother made us do that anyway because out of guilt and fear, we always came up with a far worse punishment than she would have given us.)  

So you sit yourself down, or rather, sit yourself up in bed, and give yourself a firm talking to. 

No more sulking, no more being lazy for more than a couple hours, wake up, exercise, eat a good breakfast (because let's face it, you haven't been eating very well lately), go to work and/or get caught up on some chores (to some great music of course), go out and spend time with friends, and make a point to spend time doing your hobbies.  

For me, it's rock climbing, writing, meditation, and planning events to host. For you, it might mean waking up early to go for a jog, or it might mean some time in the shop or garage after work.  It could mean playing your most bloodthirsty video game, or working on an evening puzzle.  It might mean opening a sketchbook, or pouring a glass of wine and a nice hot bubble bath. It might be hitting the paintball field with some friends, or dancing the night away. We all have things we love doing, things that allow us to get the negative out of our system and pull ourselves back together. We merely have to encourage ourselves to remember them, then force ourselves to follow through.  

Alright, so again, sometimes that is easier said than done. However, it is not impossible. Think of a friend who enjoys doing the same things, chances are you have at least some friends who can tell you've been having a bad go at things anyway, and ask them to join you. Yes, it can seem scary, or sometimes even bothersome to ask for help but, as I often do, I have a movie reference for you;  

''You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.'' -We Bought A Zoo. (Fantastic movie if you have not seen it, but you know that! I wouldn't be referencing it if it wasn't a great watch.)  

Decide you are done with feeling like you are in a rut, decide you have spent enough time getting the sadness and pity out of your system, and decide to make a change.  We all go through shit, so make your decision and use your twenty seconds of courage to ask for help. Get someone to be your spotter.  

For those of you who do not lift weights, a spotter is someone who not only helps you to stay motivated in your goals, but is also someone who is there to assist you when you start to waver.  

Chances are pretty good that your friends have been through tough times as well, so why not ask them for assistance in pulling yourself out of your rut? Why not have some company while you reset your routine?  

Anyone who ever said life was easy was lying, but if it was easy it would be rather boring and we would all be very weak. Our trials and tribulations make us stronger.  Yes, it sucks while we're going through them but we can then look back at it and say, it was hard, but I was strong enough to get out of bed and conquer.  

Life is tough, you are stronger.  

So to all my bros and bras out there, ground yourselves and kick that challenge's ass!

Cheers!

The Bra Street Rambler

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