I try to change “scenery” in a way that lets my mind wander. As a background, I am a software engineer, firefighter, have had tons of grief (in my emergency ro

I try to change “scenery” in a way that lets my mind wander. As a background, I am a software engineer, firefighter, have had tons of grief (in my emergency role, as well as personal life), moderately manage ADHD, and am prone to “thought spirals.” When the shingles come back, you know it’s been a bad few months. So - rather than leave work in software to game or such, I paint. Oil paint. My own or masterwork copies. I get lost in art history. I “let” the spiral happen when it needs to happen. I know I should also exercise more. We all should. But mostly - painting, crochet, jigsaw puzzles, wood working, my therapist, learning abt philosophy, and pretending to exercise all seem to keep me going. But I won’t lie. There are improvements to be made. Entire months where a belief that if I walk off the face of the earth, I will let those around me down … sometimes is all that keeps me going. My biggest triggers are money (i dont have much) and what others “must” think of me. Iterate. Note what worked. What didn’t and note that you woke up today so there is something that worked. Even if it was “stayed in bed and played minecraft all day.”