This world we are living in is crazy! There is always something that someone is going through. As a city, and community, Los Angeles is really going through it. Those that are raised in South Central are dealing firsthand with losing a neighborhood legend with the death of Nipsey Hussle. As he was laid to rest today, many of us are battling emotions that we either deal with all to often or do not know how to deal with at all.
Grief is defined as a multifaceted response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or something that has died, to which a bond or affection was formed. For many, the symptoms, or signs of grief come in the form of anger or depression. Understanding the changes in your psyche, can help to restore balance in your life. In this article, I share some of the things I have done and do to subsidize grief.
Food!
I absolutely love food. When I am down or sad, I immediately turn to what I know will never let me down, and that is a good meal. The satisfaction of being satisfied by food elevates my mood and temporarily places me in bliss to continue moving forward.
My favorite thing to indulge in are extremely salty foods like fried foods or nuts. They give me the purest satisfaction.
Being around other people
Even if they are not your friends, being in the presence of other people can ease the pressure of having to confront emotions that you may not want to address at the time. I like to be in public spaces when I am feeling down because it serves as a distraction from whatever I am directly dealing with. It is important to understand that everyone is going through something and everyone is trying their hardest to not lose their shit. With this in mind, being around others can offer support. On the flipside, it can be irritating, so truly assess your mental space and use your best judgement.
Retail therapy
While it is not the most economically option, retail therapy really makes me happy. I love buying new things and basking in the novelty of new clothes, shoes, etc. The anticipation of waiting for a package to arrive, the unboxing, the smell of new, really makes me happy. I use this as a last resort so that I don’t have to go temporarily unrich in the process.
Self-care (Nails, Spa, Solo Outings)
Everyone’s definition of self-care is very different. My self-care activities include getting my nails and feet done, going to get a facial and, most importantly, going on solo outings. I love to do things alone. It gives me the time to reflect and do things that are satisfying for just me. I can move on my own time without waiting on anyone else. This can include going to the movies alone, or seeing a musical. After traveling for nearly a month, and feeling really homesick, I took a very short trip downtown and walked around, went to the Central library, and did a little shopping. While there is nothing spectacular about Downtown Los Angeles, I just wanted to walk through my city.
Laugh
The most important thing in life is to laugh. The joy of laughing can truly alter my mood about almost anything. I love to laugh. I love to laugh until I cry. Laughing has pulled me from the slums whenever I am in a funky mood. Laughs can come from just about anywhere. The Internet is undefeated in offering up a good laugh for sure. There is also your family, your friends, a good television show, a movie… Just about anything. Determine whichever outlet allows you to get the best laugh and laugh out loud, literally!
If you are an introvert like me, we do not wear our emotions on our sleeves. We silently suffer without addressing emotions, such as grief. Ultimately it is important to find outlets that best suit your personally and what you enjoy. These are just a few of the things that I committ to but that does not mean that they work for you.
Share what your best practices are.
