Hey Confused:

I want to elaborate on the above two messages in general terms: in psychological research, RUMNATION means getting stuck in repetitive, looping thoughts — often about a relationship, a mistake, or a fear. It’s replaying conversations, imagining worst‑case scenarios, trying to “solve” feelings by thinking harder and feeling unable to stop the mental loop.

This style of thinking is strongly associated with feeling depressed, anxious, and hopeless over time. It’s not the topic of the rumination that causes the emotional pain — it’s the looping, the “thinking about the thinking,” that keeps the mood low.

The more you struggle inside the rumination, the deeper it pulls you. Interrupting it isn’t about “thinking harder,” it’s about shifting modes. Grounding techniques help because they shift the brain out of “thinking mode” and into “experiencing mode.”

There’s a general psychological idea that when someone is stuck in rumination, bringing attention back to the present moment (experiencing mode) — through sight 👀 🌈, sound 👂🎵, touch ✋🧸, movement🚶🌀 — can interrupt the mental loop.

Common sensory grounding approaches include * Seeing- naming five things you can see, noticing colors, shapes, shadows, looking out a window and observing movement.
* Hearing- listening to sounds, noticing the rhythm of your breath.
* Touching- holding something textured (fabric, stone, warm mug), feeling your feet on the floor, running your hands under warm or cool water
* Movement- stretching, walking, yoga, Tai Chi, slow, deliberate breathing, and more.

How are you feeling today, Confused?

🤍 Anita

* Something to say.

To add. Peter: I like your answer to the child in regard to Santa 🎅

Another thing, black and white, all or nothing binary thinking is just right for the understanding of simple, black and white situations.

It distorts the understanding of complex situations though, so context and nuance matter.

Roberta- I wonder 🤔 if my comment about little girl Roberta made you uncomfortable, like maybe it was too personal coming from a person you never met in real-life?

I would love feedback on that. From you too, Peter: do I come across too personal, too close at times, making you feel uncomfortable?

🤔 😳 Anita

Can he manage financially living on his own?

Your words, Grandmother Roberta, make me think of a little red- hair little girl Roberta 👧🏻