So, how do you know that something really needs to change? Or how do you figure out what is needing to be changed? These questions need to be answered before the big, scary, overwhelming question (it’s not really, but sometimes it does indeed feel that way!) of “how do I change this?” can even be addressed. I’ve noticed that, for me, there are a few signs that show up to get my attention. I’ve also noticed that the longer I ignore them, or try to avoid them, the “louder” they get… right up to the “lightning bolt” version that takes my feet out from under me and I have no choice but to see it and get busy. (For the record, I am a wimp, so I try to pay attention sooner rather than later, those tend to be much more painful. I am a bit more like “The Princess and the Pea” now.)
As always on this site, these are my experiences and insights, your mileage may vary… but I REALLY want to hear how these signs show up for you. (This is a conversation, not a vacuum!)
- Waking up tired
- Lots of vivid/freaky dreams
- Waking up several times through the night
- Unable to get to sleep or get back to sleep
- Racing brain… my personal forte’
- Just not rested… more tired than before
- Fuzzy brain/distracted
- “Coming to” or “coming back” and you don’t know from where
- Racing brain
- Unable to focus or concentrate
- Appetite change
- Ravenous
- Forget to eat
- Nagging feel that something is “missing” or just “not right”
- Easily agitated
- Emotional response not in sync in volume or magnitude to issue
- Emotional response different than situation (crying or laughing when you’re angry, etc.)
- Rapidly changing emotional responses… going from happy to crying to angry in a 15-minute time span
- Low grade “paralysis”
- Loss of interest
- Shut down
- Desire to hide in bed or couch
- Disconnection from others
- Yes, some of this could be depression
- Physical
- Cold or sinus issues that seem to last forever
- On-going low-grade backache, muscle pull, or spasms
- Low energy across the board
This is by no means and exhaustive list of things to keep an eye out for… in fact, it barely scratches the surface. But we have to start somewhere, don’t we? And of course, many of these may also be indications of other things as well… but again, we have to start somewhere, don’t we?
Which of these do you have experience with? Which of these, if any, ring a bell for you? What are other ones that you have noticed in yourself? What do you do when they show up?
