With the onset of menopause, my anxiety increased dramatically but ever since war broke out in Israel where my family lives, the hole in my chest has grown to a whole new level.
OMG - so hard! And I don't have anyone there on either "side", but my brain is saying a lot of the same things. I worked with brains throughout my career and one of things I firmly believe is that our brain is always trying to help. How might any of this be heard as helpful??
Brain-to-us: I know we're feeling helpless. What if I challenge you to think of something to do?
Brain-to-us: I know we're feeling helpless. At least we can try to share the experience with them somehow, in some way?
Brain-to-us: There are people who might be quite mean about our choices. Have you thought about that enough?
Brain-to-us: I'm worried. Do you think they're still ok? Could we just check please?
What might happen if you tried to reassure Her (your brain) that you're both doing all you can right now and thank Her for trying to help, even though She's scared for them too. Invite Her to offer any good ideas that pop up (maybe while on a walk where She can "wander" a bit -- like ideas in the shower?
Unfortunately, sometimes the best we can do is be willing to listen and take good enough care of ourselves that we can be there for them as much as we can. (Oxygen mask first and all that...) It never feels enough.
Totally ignore this is it feels obnoxious or unwanted in any way. Maybe I should have just Listened.
Love this, Orly, thank you!
OMG - so hard! And I don't have anyone there on either "side", but my brain is saying a lot of the same things. I worked with brains throughout my career and one of things I firmly believe is that our brain is always trying to help. How might any of this be heard as helpful??
Brain-to-us: I know we're feeling helpless. What if I challenge you to think of something to do?
Brain-to-us: I know we're feeling helpless. At least we can try to share the experience with them somehow, in some way?
Brain-to-us: There are people who might be quite mean about our choices. Have you thought about that enough?
Brain-to-us: I'm worried. Do you think they're still ok? Could we just check please?
What might happen if you tried to reassure Her (your brain) that you're both doing all you can right now and thank Her for trying to help, even though She's scared for them too. Invite Her to offer any good ideas that pop up (maybe while on a walk where She can "wander" a bit -- like ideas in the shower?
Unfortunately, sometimes the best we can do is be willing to listen and take good enough care of ourselves that we can be there for them as much as we can. (Oxygen mask first and all that...) It never feels enough.
Totally ignore this is it feels obnoxious or unwanted in any way. Maybe I should have just Listened.
Thanks for these insights and for your support. Of course, if I calm Brainy down, I'd be healthy and what fun would that be?
Maybe not calming her down, just re-directing all that energy. ;-)
Looking forward to more from Brainy!