Trapped Is A State Of Mind
Before the pandemic and the restrictions imposed many stressed out people I know would have put more time at home with their family towards the top of the list of things they wanted.
The commute and the need to be in the office 5 days a week for 8-10 hours made that a priority. Trapped in the treadmill of life, get up in the morning, grab a coffee on the run, work the day, head home, and spend a few hours in front of the TV before bed. Only to repeat the cycle the next day, and the day after.
Many of those who are now working remotely have gained back several hours of their day, and yet they still feel trapped. All the things they cannot do now because well you’re not allowed to, the socialising on a night out or a beer after work, or heading down the gym.
If anything despite having all this extra time people are feeling more trapped than ever. Yet here’s the gotcha, it’s totally a state of mind. Ask yourself why some people who are incarcerated in jail for very long periods feel more free than they ever did on the outside.
Many people aren’t used to spending time in their own company, the feeling of boredom or should be doing something or the demons in their head come out to play.
Whilst you focus on all the things that you can’t do, we forget all the benefits and things that we can do. More time to relax in the morning, the internet which allows us to talk to anyone on the other side of the world even, and internet shopping that brings things direct to our door.
Unfortunately our state of mind is reinforced by spending more time in the echo chamber of social media as well as all the messaging in main stream media. Hearing other people’s frustrations and statements couched in loss, and isn’t it awful, well they rub off on us.
Some things you might try doing to improve your state of mind include:
- Going for a walk (you’ve got to get your steps in anyway)
- Taking a break from social media or muting people that aren’t good for your state of mind
- Journaling or writing down your thoughts daily
- Changing your morning routine – don’t go straight to your phone and become a scroll zombie
- Plan your day with a few must do items and then reflect the following day on how much you achieved
- Pick up the phone to a friend and have a chat, don’t just message people
- Read a book or go an learn something new
- Learn to meditate
- Listen to music
I totally get the feeling of being trapped, I’ve been there for much of my life, playing the ‘if only this happens’ game. Yet I’m now more at peace with myself, took me 50 years to get it.
I would encourage you to find it in whatever way works for you and not wait as long as I did, the truth is more stuff is generally not the answer. Being present with yourself is just as important as being present with others.