No Laughing Matter
I told Michael last night that in an attempt to face my pain I am going to stop saying, “Whatever”, “I don’t care” and stop making jokes about what I’ve experience and what I’m feeling.
I adore humour and have no problem trying to see the bright side of my experiences but I feel they are becoming blockers in my recovery. I don’t want to take anything seriously and I don’t want pity so I make jokes or shrug it off. This also means I never have to explain myself and everyone thinks I’m ok….including myself.
Tonight is the second of four presentations I’m making with the youth mental health organization I’m a part of. I’m going to tell them that I’m going to try and not make jokes to hide my pain and we’ll see how it goes.
I personally think I will fail but no harm in trying.
Posted on February 26, 2013, in Personal and tagged apathy, coping, defense mechanism, jokes, laughing, mental health, mental illness, pain, recovery. Bookmark the permalink. 6 Comments.
“I don’t know” and “I don’t care” are my biggest avoidant/self-denying phrases. It’s hard to stop, but once you do, it can facilitate greater understanding of your own wants and needs–at least, that was my experience.
Have you ever looked into nonviolent communication? It seems like something you might be interested in. One part that was both very challenging for me was learning to sort out my feelings, needs, and requests of others. It sort of intersects with the stopping self-denying statements.
I didn’t know there was such a thing as nonviolent communication! I have greatly struggled with the concept of “calm anger”. I very much feel that if I am not yelling then people won’t understand that I’m angry lol I will look into this! Thank you!
A great goal. How’d it go? I know I use humor as a defense mechanism. Just another way to not face whatever the real issues are…..good for you for trying to face your pain!
I used humour but less humour :p
Hi, I think so many of us can understand what you’re saying about trying to somehow brush off how mental illness really feels, and relate to that at times. I think everyone does it at some point, don’t they? I know what you mean about trying to do things differently, and how that might help, good luck with it, and I hope the presentation went well! Best wishes
The presentation did go well
A lot better then yesterday! I joked less but I also just laugh or joke to show that I feel something is stupid or injust so it works for me like that also.
Thank you for the encouragement and support!