Hello, readers. I’m here to admit something to you. I don’t feel like writing. No, ma’am. I don’t feel like doing much of anything. Besides vacuuming, gallivanting around town, cooking, or eating chocolate cookies.
Does that sound like a strange array of options? It probably is. I have been in a weird mood and I’m not sure how to snap out of it.
So. I’ve been dealing with a cold and some health issues since around Thanksgiving. I’ve been feeling better in some areas, but as I’ve mentioned before, even slightly prolonged physical unwellness inspires feelings of anxiety, listlessness, and hopelessness.
And, for the last few days, it’s been somewhat extreme feelings of frustration, irritability, and offensiveness. I feel the need to take on every sassy, untrue, uncertain, or untoward comment and talk it over until it’s quite dead. And then I’m more tired and frustrated than before.
I just can’t seem to get rid of this dark cloud that’s looming over me.
Today’s been a little better. (I still had to force myself to just start writing this post.) But I wanted to share and maybe start a conversation with you ladies who follow this blog. How can we understand our crazy emotions and what can we do to make it better?
Well, fellow women, maybe some of you don’t deal with dark clouds and mood swings and extreme frustration for days on end. But I imagine a lot of you do. The first thing I want to say is that you should read this book called Jump Off the Hormone Swing by Lorraine Pintus. It is a very informational, humorous, relatable, and helpful book. It definitely addresses that dark cloud that some of us flounder under more than we ever want to.
So if you’re a woman who is just struggling with emotional health, I would very much recommend this book, just to assure you that you’re not alone and give some very helpful tips. And even show how Satan tries to use our weaknesses in these areas to get us to stray from God’s perfect path.
The second thing I want to say is that I don’t think these kind of extreme emotional issues should be considered “normal”. I think there is a bigger underlying problem, and it doesn’t just come down to you’re a woman, so deal with it.
You need to start eating healthier. Go off foods such as sugar and bad fats. Or even dairy. Or you need to start exercising regularly. Do some light strength work-outs with weights (such as kettle bell swings and Turkish get-ups!) Perhaps you are lacking Vitamin B6, magnesium, or iron and need to start taking supplements (I don’t have much knowledge of what the symptoms of lacking these things are, but I know I’ve had to take supplements for all three!) Maybe you need to look into balancing your hormones naturally. You might need to start taking natural supplements for anxiety.
Don’t take my word for it. Find a trusted naturopathic doctor and get their input. The reason I say naturopathic doctor is because my experience with regular doctors hasn’t gotten me anywhere when it comes to these issues. Some are better than others, of course. But mainly, the responses I get are: that’s normal. Take more Advil. Go on the pill.
But I don’t think it’s normal. I don’t want a band-aid – I think there is a problem that needs to be addressed. And Advil and the birth control pill are both things that are not healthy for you to be on/taking.
So. Read good books and blogs. And find a good doctor who will get to the root of the problem and help you find healing. (wellnessmama.com is a blog that my mom loves, and I’ve followed a bit myself.)
And while you’re unwell and in the midst of the frustration, remember to give yourself grace and search for little things that will help. But be vigilant to keep yourself from letting your frustration, pain, and irritability spill out as anger on everyone around you. It’s not their fault that you’re struggling and not feeling well.
And your pain doesn’t justify your sin. (Speaking to myself here.)
So vacuum the floors if it helps! *laughs* I like vacuuming because it’s simple and methodic, and I feel useful in my dark state. The floors almost always need to be vacuumed in my house!
As long you aren’t neglecting import things, it’s okay to get out of the house and flee to town. Maybe you need to grocery shop or do your Christmas shopping. Or maybe you should meet a friend at a coffee shop and have a good chat. Or pray silently while you wander around stores.
Cook a meal for your family! That’s always helpful. 🙂
Don’t eat too many chocolate cookies. Especially if they’re not low-sugar like mine. 😉 But a little bit of chocolate is probably good for you. *laughs*
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, go find some ways to serve your community. Bring your neighbors some cookies. Join a group that’s singing Christmas songs in nursing homes. Put together a gift basket for a family in need.
If you can work something out with your family, husband, children, whoever … explain that you need some alone time. Go sit in God’s presence and just rest. Take a hot shower and let the stress and anger drain away. Take a nap if you’re exhausted. Work on a little project by yourself. Put on some soothing music. Take a vigorous walk in the cold. Read a few chapters of a book. Put some lavender essential oil (I recommend Young Living) in a diffuser.
And trust God, my dear ladies. He cares about every detail. Yes, even our emotional well-being.
Let me know in the comments if you struggle with health issues and what you’ve done about it. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, you can email me through my Contact tab. I would love to pray for you and about your journey to health and wholeness. ❤
Lady Grace ~ a quiet & gentle spirit 