What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings? – An interesting question that we all should ponder.

Music helps me with negative feelings. So does driving my Miata. Writing or photography helps at times. Exercise helps a little but not much. Watch some comedy clips. Call a friend to laugh with. Sometimes though, being alone to sort through things is what I need.

I have gotten better at turning around negative feelings more quickly than in the past. A best friend reminds me that you can’t control what happens to you always, but you can control how you react/respond to it.

How you respond sometime is even more important than what causes negativity to enter your life. I’m glad my friend reminds me of this every so often in our conversations. We’re pretty good at picking up when each other struggles.

What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings? – A good question from the daily writing prompt.

Wow, that question caused me to pause for a few minutes. I guess I’ll try to change my perspective and focus. Then try to remember not to sweat the small shit. I try to remind myself to be happy with myself. If I can change the thing that caused the negative feelings, I might set about that task.

Depending on the severity of the feelings I might choose different activities. For instance, if the negative feelings have me in a rage I avoid getting in the car and burning the tires off.

If the negative feelings leave me mildly disappointed, a nice cruise on the back roads with the top down brings me back to where those negative feelings aren’t going to ruin the next hour or the rest of the day.

I used to have a hard time dealing with negative feelings at work during certain periods. Usually, a clash with management styles and directions. I guess with great heights you must experience some lows to appreciate the good times.

I guess my basic strategy list would be

• I will go for a walk.
• I’ll watch something funny and try to laugh.
• I’ll talk to myself.
• I’ll read and try to learn something.
• I’ll start to write.
• I’ll go for a drive.
• I’ll listen to music.
• I try to figure out what I can change that caused the negative feelings.

I used to share with some looking for perspective, but I’ve pulled back on that for a number of various reasons.

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