In parts 1 and 2 we have dealt with ourselves and people who surround us. Let's now move to distracting objects. If you followed my advice - you should now have a list of disturbing things. Time to classify them. Divide the objects into the following groups or if you don't have a list - then try to fill the following classification:- Memory triggers (photographs, presents, miscellanous objects in your room, music, videos etc)
- Things that annoy you just with the fact of their existense (furniture, dishware, houseware, some objects in the office/school/institute)
- Web triggers (blogs, sites, communities)
- Sensual triggers (colors, words, phrases, smells, sounds)
You may expand the list and add some categories if necessary. When the list is ready proceed to real actions. Let me start with my own experience.
Memory triggers:
When I first thought about how I am tired of being depressed (by that time enough damage was done) one of the first things I did was that: I took a huge garbage bag and placed it in the middle of my room. Then I opened my paper case, took all the old letters and papers and documents that I will never ever use and threw them all to garbage bag. I threw away the old photos that triggered some bad memories, I sent all the souvenirs, scripts, cds to garbage because a single approach to them made me feel sad.
Then I got to my wardrobe. I took the clothes that I knew I will never ever wear, but kept them anyway. Although I didn't throw them away, I gave them to my neigbours who I knew needed clothes for their small daughter. (Now imagine them carrying a HUGE bag from my appartment to theirs!). After that I decided to have some short rest.
Then I gathered all the things that I knew I'll never use (but kept them anyway for the reason unknown) and sent them to the garbage bag too - the 3d one actually. (Now you can imagine ME carrying 3 HUGE garbage bags to the grbage can!). You get the hint, right?
Things that annoy you just with the fact of their existense
I thought to make some long explanation here, but instead I will tell you what my husband did when faced the problem of old furniture he hated. Yeah he threw it away too. But let me explain the details anyway.
When I first visited his place it was.. well a usual room of a freelancer. A bed, a computer table, a bookshelf and I believe there was some small shelf and a small coffee table. However little by little the number of these objects decreased until finally reached zero. We made an improvised bed from tons of warm blanckets and pillows. The result was a big and warm nest that could be easily taken away and placed back when necessary. The lamps were replaced with luminodiods, the walls were repainted. The computer was moved to the floor so that we could reach it from the nest as well as watch movies.
If you have your own house/appartment you can make it just the way you want. Realize your idea of a sweet home or at least get rid of those things which do not comply with it. Make your home a place where you can rest from everyday stress. I assure you that you won't need to spend l-o-t-s of money to make a change (unless you want to).
If you live in someone's place or with somebody else (i.e. parents) where you cannot make radical changes - try to extract or change at least the most annoying things, find a compromise through the dialog. Explain that certain objects make you feel bad, offer a solution which will satisfy both sides at least halfway. When changing things make sure you will not cause too much discomfort to people you live with.
A small advice before I finish this part: I know that when depressed you will want to paint-it-black. When making the changes listen to your will to feel better, not to your depressive thoughts.
This post seems to be too long already. The rest info on what to do with web and sensual triggers is in the next one.
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