If you’re feeling overwhelmed, depressed or stuck – you’re not alone. Over the last few months I’ve seen an uptick in clients navigating these emotions and I have my own experiences as well.
Fortunately, getting outside of yourself can help.
When I say ‘getting outside of yourself’, I mean shifting your focus away from your own thoughts, emotions and concerns.
Oftentimes, we don’t do this though, do we? Instead, we hyper-focus on ourselves or our perceived issues. We think about something and then think about it some more, hoping that somewhere along that string of thoughts we’ll find the answer. Or we sit in our sadness so long that all we do is magnify our feelings of confusion and stuckness.
Lucky for us, we don’t have to face everything on our own. We can get a sense of relief, connection and balance externally.
Maybe you thought I’d say, ‘go internal… the answers are within us.’ There is truth in these words no doubt, but there are alternative ways to shift our focus. First, redirecting our attention to the needs and experiences of others; and second, immersing ourselves in new environments. Both can help us to tap into our beautiful inner wisdom.
When we are outside of ourselves, we are broadening our perspective, giving our mind and emotions time to rest and recharge. By temporarily shifting away from ourselves, we are working to regain a sense of balance, giving us time to heal, to experience new ‘ah-ha’ moments and tune into inner wisdom.
Give it a try! Here are some ideas to get outside of yourself:
Volunteer
By volunteering, you become part of a larger community and connect with others. Make sure to choose a cause meaningful to you – a genuine sense of belonging and involvement can provide a much-needed distraction from personal distress. Contributing to the well-being of others can be incredibly healing.
Recently, I was overwhelmed by my summer workload: teaching multiple business classes, enhancing future classes, and preparing my tenure portfolio. Despite this anxiety, I prioritized volunteering at the Special Olympics in Florida, alongside my son Aaron, for an eight-hour shift. That day was truly remarkable, and since volunteering, my anxiety about my workload has significantly decreased. Witnessing the determination of those courageous athletes provided me a fresh perspective: appreciate the present moment and recognize my blessings.
When praying, say ‘we’
‘I’ statements tend to come with ego or a feeling of being alone. Dear God, I have a problem and I need help. To foster a stronger sense of unity and partnership with your higher power, use ‘we’ statements.
When I am feeling blue and am seeking the answer to something, I ask God, ‘What can we do?’ Adding the ‘we’ gives me a sense of camaraderie and companionship with my higher power.
Go for a nature walk
A nature walk offers an escape from yourself, immersing you in a different environment. What colors do you see? What sounds can you hear? Connecting with nature shifts your focus away from internal concerns, calming your mind and grounding your emotions.
Nature walks are my go-to when I have a lot going on. I leave my phone at home and work hard to detach from my current thoughts and live in the present moment. Mother Nature is a wonderful teacher. I’ll always find something I need while walking – a heart-shaped leaf on the ground or a silly squirrel that makes me chuckle. Do your best to be present.
Read a memoir by someone who has lived a different life than you
Memoirs provide a powerful means to broaden our horizons and understand diverse perspectives. Through these narratives, we discover the shared human experiences of overcoming challenges, grappling with fears, and seeking love. By immersing ourselves in memoirs, we transcend our own reality and enter the lives of others, offering a pathway to connect with universal truths, and foster personal growth and empathy.
I just finished reading the book The Daughter of Auschwitz: My Story of Resilience, Survival, and Hope by Tova Friedman and Malcolm Brabant. Tova was one of the youngest survivors of Auschwitz. Her story serves as a powerful reminder to persevere, fight for humanity, and uphold my beliefs (I highly recommend this beautifully written book, a testament to love and resilience). Reading about Tova’s experiences reminded me that my problems aren’t as big as they feel, which has given me a deep level of peace and appreciation for all I have.
Sincerely,
Dr. Danielle Clark | Psychic Medium
drdanielleclark.com
PS – Here’s an affirmation to use when you want to get outside of yourself, ‘I possess the power to redirect my focus from my thoughts and concerns, enabling me to find rest and rejuvenation.’
PPS – Do you want a practice activity to get outside of yourself for a bit? If so, grab your pen and journal. Follow the below writing prompt and lose yourself and your worries for a bit. If you happen to think about something happening in your current world, don’t judge it, just ask it to leave and keep writing.
Prompt: Transport yourself to a world covered entirely in water. Describe the sights, sounds, and sensations as you navigate through an underwater city and explore the depths of the ocean.
Hi,
It’s always been hard for me to go outside myself because I am a shy person and I tend to stay in small crowds because it’s hard for me to start a new environment because it’s a new change for me. As time progresses I feel like if I talk to more people and stay outdoors I feel I can change my focus on it later on.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog and for sharing your thoughtful insights. I totally get the whole overwhelmed-in-large-crowds thing. It’s like a sensory overload, right? Sometimes, I just zone out for a bit to avoid taking in everything, and it surprisingly helps. And if I really need a breather, I might sneak outside or pop into the bathroom for a quick escape. Like you mentioned, the outdoors is a great healer. Best of luck on your journey – keep moving forward!