Posted by ClearSkies on October 27, 2005, at 21:25:55
In reply to Fantasy vs. reality / depressed, posted by TexasChic on October 27, 2005, at 17:37:16
I read your post and realized that I don't fantasize any more like I used to. Now, if I want to think of what I want or to feel better about my current situation, I think towards the past. Whaty good experiences that I've had whose emotions I want to recapture? What horrible, wounding things happened that I want to make certain I don't repeat?
An exercise I was taught in EMDR treatment was to put myself emotionally in a past experience, and say how I feel about that event NOW. What do I think about that version of me and how she responded at the time? What would I do now if in the same situation? It was a very comforting experience as I learned that there aren'y many, if any, past experiences I've had that I would not change my actions about it they happened to me today.This really helped me see the progress I have made, and that I'm closer to the healthier, complete person whom I am working to become.
So when I think of past experiences, it might be with some whistfulness. I mostly treasure the memories as a record of who I used to be.
And I think of how the today me would respond in past situations.
And I derive a feeling of calm, contentness, and achievement when I look at feelings this way,just my rambling tonight.
CS
poster:ClearSkies
thread:572466
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20051021/msgs/572548.html