The Abyss & Monster Chow

Jun 9, 2017
2 min read

I cannot for the life of me figure out why I fall into The Abyss of Despair from time to time. I can trace many of my thoughts (the birth of my little monsters) back to difficult relationships, social pressures, imposed ideals, et cetera. But deep down, in my core, I know that sometimes my unhappiness makes no sense.

There is a saying that goes "don't feed the demons," - but I believe that is far from the solution. Our monsters do not disappear without nourishment and nurture; instead they become bitter and starved. They become ravenous, relentlessly devouring our happiness, and our time. These monsters are a part of who we are; how we think; what we know. They are integral to our design. Sometimes, we feed them bad food - we feed them impatience, frustration, anxious thoughts. Feeding the monster of Anxiety what it is itself made of will only make it larger, and hungrier. Instead, it is important to offer Patience and Distraction as their fuel instead. When Anxiety takes hold, acknowledge it. Embrace it (his is the first step toward feeling more at ease). Dismiss any guilt that you can - it only makes Anxiety bigger, and grizzlier. And once you've dispelled as much guilt as possible, do something else a while. Read a book, play a game, colour a picture. Stepping away from our guilt and anxiety, for a little while, allows your body and mind to feel better, and - once you return to it - the quality of your work to improve.

Certainly; this is how it works for me. Keep thinking: what do I feed my monsters, and what can I make them instead? How can I make these thoughts friendlier? Stay Strong, MooMoos!