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Positivity and Inspiration

 
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Tulsileaf
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Joined: 05 Apr 2005
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 26, 2024 9:06 am    Post subject: Positivity and Inspiration Reply with quote

Aja, I really like these videos you've been sharing in the news. I thought having a dedicated thread to respond to them is better than peppering the threads for the comic pages.

Thank you for sharing the video, Small Daily Actions Lead To Massive Results. A maxim I hold to is, "Slow and steady wins the race." As said in that video, instead of doing something all at once, I try to spread the effort across time to reduce the pressure on me and eliminate feelings of stress and anxiety. This TED-Ed video really changed my perception on procrastination. Procrastination comes from fear. It is the brain's automatic response to a perceived threat, a stressful task. One way to handle such tasks, reduce stress and avoid procrastinating is to break the task down into smaller steps.
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Aja
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2024 9:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm so happy that you made a thread for this! I would love to see any other helpful/encouraging resources that anyone wants to share. Grin

Tulsileaf wrote:
Procrastination comes from fear. It is the brain's automatic response to a perceived threat, a stressful task.

For sure. Apparently a lot of procrastination happens not because of lack of motivation, but ironically because of over-motivation. A task can feel so monumentally important, and you want so much to get it done, that it feels like you'd need to turn into Goku and summon the Spirit Bomb just to make a dent in it. XD It becomes so important that it's scary (and the brain, for some reason, wants to avoid scary things).

I'm working on one of those right now, oof. But the "small steps" approach definitely helps.

That TED-Ed video was great, and I especially like this comment that someone posted under it:

An insightful guy wrote:
A big tip I can give to fellow procrastinators: The first step I always do is promise myself I WON'T work on it that day and ONLY do all preparation for it without actually starting work, so getting everything I need ready, opening up tabs that I need to get the job done and planning out exactly what needs to be done to get it finished. Usually when I have it all laid out in front of me like that suddenly the task looks very small and manageable, the urge to procrastinate evaporates and I get the job done. I still struggle sometimes but this trick has eliminated about 80% of my procrastination times. Somehow by promising yourself you won't do the work and merely prepare you can do it because "it doesn't count" to your brain.

I stumbled upon a similar trick a couple years ago, and it really works. Ambiguity is intimidating, so you can often vastly reduce the perceived threat of a task just by taking the time to figure out exactly what it requires.

You don't even have to do all the prep. I've inched my way through some (initially) overwhelming projects by saying: "I can't handle this today, but I'll do one thing now that will make it easier tomorrow."

The important thing is to actually mean it when you tell yourself you can stop after the prep work. Maybe the next preliminary step will be the tipping point that makes the main task suddenly feel manageable. Or maybe you've just made it possible to take the next step tomorrow, when your energy has recharged. Either way, it's a win!
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By-Tor & The Snow Dog
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2024 4:14 am    Post subject: Wed Oct 16, 2002 3:41 pm Reply with quote

Do you hit inanimate objects?
Smile
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Aja
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2024 2:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

By-Tor wrote:
Do you hit inanimate objects?
Smile

Hmmm... you mean like the classic advice to "pummel a pillow for stress relief" and stuff like that? XD

From what I've heard, I wouldn't recommend it. Apparently research has found that, even though it feels cathartic in the moment, it actually makes a person feel worse (and more easily upset) in the long run.

I think it's a lot healthier to burn off excess adrenaline and cortisol with some kind of intense exercise. The combination of endorphins + sense of accomplishment can turn a super angsty mood into a pretty optimistic one (surprisingly quickly, too).

Since this thread is all about positivity: Does anyone have other favorite ways to improve one's mood? (Meditation, journaling, cat videos...?) I always love to hear about what works. Grin
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By-Tor & The Snow Dog
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2024 4:20 pm    Post subject: My Apologies Reply with quote

That post was a (dumb) reference to the oldest thread in this forum. I wasn't really asking anyone if they lash out at things.
Although I find punching a pillow can relieve some stress, when necessary. As well as screaming into said pillow. Grin
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Tulsileaf
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 08, 2024 9:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

As long as you give the Therapy Bunny accordant respect, I don't think anyone cares about what you do with the pillow. Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

Aja wrote:
Does anyone have other favorite ways to improve one's mood? (Meditation, journaling, cat videos...?)

Anything that occupies my mind and takes me away from whatever is bothering me. So far this has been getting lost in stories (be it books, movies, comics, etc.) and video games.

I'm currently in the market for something new to read and am open to suggestions. Smile
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Aja
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2024 10:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tulsileaf wrote:
Aja wrote:
Does anyone have other favorite ways to improve one's mood? (Meditation, journaling, cat videos...?)

Anything that occupies my mind and takes me away from whatever is bothering me. So far this has been getting lost in stories (be it books, movies, comics, etc.) and video games.

I'm currently in the market for something new to read and am open to suggestions. Smile

Oh, I meant to reply to this earlier! Well, here are the first things that came to mind:


1. The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson. It's one of my all-time favorite stories, and it's a stand-alone novella, so it's a wonderful place to start if you haven't tried any of the author's work yet.

Just about everything he writes is excellent, but this one is particularly inspiring. IMO it's one of those stories that is not only satisfying to read in itself, but it also somehow makes you feel more capable of tackling your own real-life stuff.


2. The Heart of Keol webcomic. This is definitely a story that you can lose yourself in. The magic and worldbuilding are uniquely interesting, and there's some large-scale fate-of-the-world stuff going on, but the stakes feel very personal. The story focuses on just a few characters, and you really become invested in their happiness.

I'm not entirely sure how to describe it. Even though it looks like epic fantasy, complete with magical settings and action scenes, it feels very... nostalgic, and heartfelt? And the art is absolutely gorgeous, oh my gosh. Easily the most cinematic comic I've ever seen.

As a bonus, the story is completed now (just recently, with a very satisfying ending), so you can binge-read the entire thing if you like. Grin
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Tulsileaf
Mink Sith Lord


Joined: 05 Apr 2005
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Location: Behind you.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 23, 2024 6:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for those recommendations, Aja. I just finished reading Heart of Keol. It is very beautiful, both in the art and the story. I like that it's based on Korea. So many stories are based on Japan, America, or Europe. Other cultures are interesting too!

The story captures the concept of love in its different forms. The love of soul-mates, the love of friends, the love shared between family, and the love within a community. It shows what caring looks like. A reminder to care for the emotional well-being of those around us, and to cherish those who care for us.

I like how light it is. The focus is on the characters rather than conflicts and hardships. I really needed a story like this at this time. You're damn right it has a satisfying ending. Smile

(Danbi's vulnerability reminded me of Maia from The Goblin Emperor.)
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