isolation

i guess this is a complaining session rather than looking for answers or having questions. I have stress from all angles of my life and my head spins. it spins and it spins til i drift. i feel like i can barely hold on and months go by and it feels like one big struggle. I get so angry with people inside im crying because all i need is someone to help me, comfort me im so lonely but i dont trust anyone enough to let them get too close. i have so much stress and i want it to go away.

Sometimes smashing clay helps us. Art helps the most. Just let it come out. It doesn't matter what it is. You can't hurt the paper. Sometimes things that come out are helpful.

Lie down and have a conversation with everyone? Make yourself comfortable and have a conference.

I'm sorry you're so stressed out.

art does help. i havent had much time to myself in months so i havent done anything when i do have a few minutes to myself i just zone out. not very productive but idk maybe its my bodies way of shutting down for a few. i think i might be depressed too. everything is just confusing lately, ive been so negative too maybe its just hormonal. i havent noticed alot of switching going on. not as much as usually anyways just zoning out.

We're definitely stuck in a rut right now. So much to do...so little time to do it...and no idea where to start. It doesn't help that the twins' (L.C.'s and Luna's) depression has gotten worse and is now spreading to everyone, like a cup overflowing with water. I try to pick up the pieces, and someone else comes out and scatters them again. Or I go to pick up pieces, and before I can, someone else is out with some sort of need or want. Or I pick up what pieces I can, but before I can put try putting them together, they get knocked out of my hand by something someone does. You're definitely not alone in how you feel or what you're going through right now. *safe hugs if wanted* And I'm sorry things are so tough right now. Try to hang in there, and work through them at a pace that's comfortable for you.

LittleRedDogToo has some good suggestions. Perhaps try writing? Let everyone write out what they think and feel, and then go from there with trying to work out compromises and stuff? One step at a time, remember. It's ok to go slow. Crawling is still progress forward.

Definitely take some "you" time. Pamper yourself every chance you get. Relaxing music, relaxing bath, funny movies, naps when you needs them, comfort foods here and there, stuff like that. And if you attempt the conference thing, definitely make sure you're as comfortable, relaxed, and safe-feeling as possible. It'll help with everything. Maybe try some meditation as well (not just for attempting the conference)? It can really help clear your mind and give you a break from everything, and can help all parts of you calm down and sorta "regroup".

Maybe try writing out a schedule that includes times where certain ones can be "out"? That way there's some structure to your days, and no one feels ignored or like they never get any time "out". Schedules can also help for organizing all the different things alters want to do, and it can help you plan stuff out instead of trying to cram it all into "now".

Along with smashing clay, try these:
--Listening to music that reflects your feelings/singing and yelling along with said music
--Screaming into a pillow, punching a pillow, throwing a pillow around, anything you feel safe about doing with the pillow (Kat will sometimes stab a pillow, but she mainly likes whacking it against a wall or doorway with all her strength to hear that "whack!" sound).
--Squeezing a stress ball (those little balls that are filled with sand or whatever are actually kinda great).
--Deep breathing while counting to 10 or whatever number you want (this can help clear your head enough that you can at least think a bit better).
--Listing out things that you need to do, then prioritizing them and breaking them down into small steps/goals (don't rush yourself, it's ok to go slow)
--Taking time for yourself where you're not going to let yourself worry about ANYTHING
--Scribble. It's surprising how helpful it is. There's no pressure to produce any "good" art, and you can press so hard you rip the paper.

ya they are good ideas. i will have to do something i cant keep going on like this.

I know that realization and feeling. Today, I had the sudden urge to pack up everything and run away. I'm pretty sure it was coming from Rebel. But it's yet another sign that something's going to break soon if change doesn't start to happen. It's just hard sometimes. It's like...you try, but it still doesn't really change anything, so then you slowly stop trying because it's not getting you anywhere. But I just have to keep trying and pushing on, hoping that something will work before something breaks. For me, I think the main things that will help me are getting a routine set up (specific time to wake up, eat, do certain hobbies, etc) and finishing the move I'm currently in the middle of.

-- Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:43 pm --

Maybe try finding one thing in your life to change that might help, and then doing that? Like, changing when you wake up or go to bed; or changing your activity level by making yourself go for a walk or something at a certain time/day; something like that. Doesn't have to be very big.

ya i think change is something i definitely need. or even trying things that make me feel less lonely. im just getting out of a bad relationship and that might be also why the sudden feelings of loneliness all the time

Good for you for getting out of it, though!! I'm sorry it was a bad relationship. And yeah, that can definitely cause a lot of these feelings. *hugs if wanted* Definitely try distraction techniques, and do stuff that you enjoy (or would normally enjoy), even if you have to force yourself to do it at first. (Of course, don't distract yourself so much that you don't process the feelings from this breakup. It's important that you let yourself be sad, mad, etc.- you just can't let it swallow you up). I know that when I have to force myself to do something, such as going for a walk, I'll hate it until about halfway through, then I'll find myself enjoying it and feeling much better afterwards. (You'd think if I knew it'd help me feel better, it'd be easier to do- but nope. Still gotta force it most of the time).

One thing that's helped me is having an art day. I get together with a friend of mine, and we do art all day. Well, we don't HAVE to, so if we're not feeling inspired or something, we might only doodle, or we might go for a walk for a bit instead, but usually some piece of art gets done that day. Do you have any friends you could do something similar with? You could even do it alone, with some happy or inspiring music going on, or maybe having movies on in the background or something. It might help you feel better and even accomplished to set a day/time aside for art and actually get some art done, no matter how "serious" or "good" it is.

Maybe you could try just being around other people (because I know I have a hard time making new friends easily). Like, taking a sketch book to a coffee shop and hanging out for a bit or something. Or going to a park- maybe even take some lunch with you. Maybe go to some places that have open mic nights or something as well? Not necessarily to perform yourself, but just to be in a place with other artists and such.

Like I said, start small. Pick like one thing you want to change, and then do it. (And of course, congratulate yourself on the success).


We're not always the best at responding to messages right away, but feel free to PM us if you're feeling too lonely. We know these feelings all too well. Heh, yeah, my initials don't stand for "Lost Child" for no reason. ~L.C. ~Luna