Flooded: Literally and Figuratively
September 15, 2008
So I live in Michigan, far, far from Texas … but the remanants of Hurricane Ike or who knows what flooded our basement.
I guess three straight days of pouring, driving rain that doesn’t subside will do that to a house.
Coupled with this lovely flooding of our basement, the narrow, winding creek in our backyard has widened significantly.
Its banks having been virtually washed away, our property is now home to about five to ten extra feet (width-wise) of the creek that we didn’t have on Saturday.
Fortunately, our house sits up on a hill, so we don’t anticipate the creek reaching us directly, but our backyard looks like a lake. With a lot of little lakes.
So that was the soggy, physical “flood” of the weekend (damage yet to be assessed, as every time we got the water out, more poured back in — apparently everyone around us is dealing with this misfortune).
But I also was flooded on an emotional/mental level during week four of five.
Addressing my anxiety, this weekend was what Dr. G would have called “flooding” — being put in such an uncomfortable situation with no choice but to deal with it until you basically become numb to it and the anxiety eventually goes away.
Aside from a quick grocery trip on Saturday, we were “rained in” all weekend. Me, my husband, my 70-year old mother-in-law and my severely mentally challenged sister-in-law. Not exactly a party.
Now, if this was just my husband and I, it’d have been a romantic, peaceful situation and believe me, considering how little time we’ve had together lately, I’d have welcomed such a weekend with open arms.
Instead, we still have our guests. And it’s not that we had to entertain them … but rather, that they’re still here. And their presence hasn’t been easy for me to deal with, as you all know.
I should note, it wasn’t all bad … I baked oatmeal-white-chocolate-cranberry cookies, made beef stew in the Crockpot and my mother-in-law hemmed some pants for us while my husband did some homework (he’s in business school now).
I won’t bore you with details, but by Sunday, I was tuckered out. Too much “proximity.” And I got moody. Let’s just say all of my good intentions from Friday had been replaced with feelings of anxiety and frustration, just wanting them out and our house to ourselves.
(Helping my stressed-out husband pump water out of our basement added to the mix, for sure. Then at 10 p.m., we were fortunate to be able to hire our neighbor’s contractor to fix the rest).
But two things helped me keep my cool, even when I didn’t think I could.
First, I made a point to get in my workouts Saturday and Sunday morning, because exercise always makes me feel good. And secondly, although I noshed a lot this weekend — more than usual, probably some boredom-inspired, mindless munching — I didn’t binge, and made good choices when I noshed. (watermelon, grapes, carrots, pretzels).
Right now, I feel inundated on many levels. But it’s Monday, the start of a new week — and the last hurrah with our guests … On Friday night, they will leave. And our home will be ours again, a safe haven once again.
I have to remember the positive. Even when around me, it’s pouring rain.
How about you? How do you handle flooding? Do you still turn to food?
Entry Filed under: Anxiety, Uncategorized. Tags: Anxiety, flooding.
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1.
lila | September 15, 2008 at 1:15 am
I just started your blog. Very amazing and beautiful. I understand flooding. It happens to me sometimes as well. Too many emotions too quick and then I have to shut myself down with food. It’s not about the food though right? It’s about the feelings…
2.
Krystyna | September 15, 2008 at 8:37 am
I, sadly, do still turn to food when I get “flooded”—it’s like I need something to numb the anxiety and food is the first thing I think of when I get anxious. But my Dr. D and I have been working on my “tool box”–things that I can rely on that will calm me down and things that aren’t food that will allow me to cope with the anxiety. We did some visualization and relaxtion things and WOW…the power of the mind amazes me! Now I know that if I’m feeling anxious I can do some relaxation types of things and NOT have to turn towards food. Baby steps!
And I’m still repeating to myself “My body is a temple, my body is a temple!” THANKS!
3.
kristen | September 15, 2008 at 9:04 am
I too had some “flooding” on Saturday. Without going into too much detail, I was interrupted several times Saturday morning by unwelcomed phone calls and noisy neighbors. Because I was trying to get some reading for school done, I got easily irritated. Sometimes when I get overwhelmed with negative feelings, I find it hard to make a simple decision and get all worked up. I removed myself from the situation, went to the library for a few hours and got lost in my reading.
4.
CDlover | September 15, 2008 at 10:13 am
What a weekend to be stuck inside! The weather was similar here (in Indiana)…I can’t imagine having to be “rained in” with people who create anxiety for you.
That is great that you were able to get in your workouts and also make good choices with your eating…all too often when something is going on around me that is unsettling, I turn to binges to “numb” everything. Every now and then, though, I resist the binges and do something healthy like go for a walk, read, or call a friend. It feels unnatural, but I feel so much better afterward.
5.
lissa10279 | September 15, 2008 at 10:45 am
Thank you, Lila! So true, it’s not about the food, it’s about the feelings. Easier said than done — I need more of Krystyna’s tool box goodies!
Hey Kristen, sounds like removing yourself from the situation was key. Good lord I wish I could have done the same this weekeend!!!
Hi CDLover, thanks!! Good for you … I read a lot this weekend which helped a ton. But I still did a little mindless munching.
The sun is shining now and our roads are flooded, but there’s hope.
6.
Cathy | September 15, 2008 at 11:25 am
hang in there. FIVE MORE DAYS.
you will look back on this very soon and just smile and be so proud you got through it.
7.
lissa10279 | September 15, 2008 at 11:40 am
Thanks, Cathy. I know, too, in the grand scheme of things these five weeks are nothing, but they FEEL monumental.
8. Weekend Challenge: State &hellip | September 19, 2008 at 12:22 am
[...] therapy last night, Dr. G. complimented me on how far I’ve come in handling such flooding and accepting deprivation with [...]