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The power of a special interest

Expecto_Patronum

It never ceases to amaze me the effect that a special interest/something familiar can have. I was having a really wobbly weekend. My anxiety was sky high and my mood wasn't great. I couldn't concentrate on anything because my mind was going a million miles an hour. There was nothing I wanted to do and nothing on TV that remotely interested me. I decided to put a Harry Potter film on. Harry Potter has been a special interest for many years and the films can be a source of comfort. (Admittedly not always, sometimes they irritate me for being from the books). This time the impact was immediate and profound. My body instantly relaxed, my mind stopped racing so badly and I felt so much better. There was still some anxiety etc but at a far more manageable level. It amazes me that a film can have this level of impact.

Does anybody else find their special interest can help them in this way? What is your go to when you're having a bad day?

Parents

  • My special interest is learning new things. It helps me concentrate my mind into something other than my anxiety! And I also learn stuff! So whenever I want to escape reality, I either read or watch a documentary/lecture/speech/etc about something new. I enjoy exploring articles on Google Scholar/etc. Reddit is also a place where I go to read something interesting. That is where I found out about this page yesterday, and now I'm here! Cool huh? Wink

  • in reply to Evi

    Do you only use online sources for learning?

  • in reply to TheCatWoman

    No, I also read books. During the pandemic, I got really really bored and was feeling very overwhelmed. So I got myself into the entrance exams for the university and I succeeded. So now, I am also a university student while being 38. Studying for these exams helped me stay sane during the pandemic. That's the super power of special interests! Wink 

  • in reply to Evi

    This is a really interesting thread to come into. I have been studying all aspects of writing for many years, but have really struggled to know what to do next as I seem to get mental blocks when not actively engaged in a course. I frequently do IQ tests as a reminder my brain is still very much fuctioning. Would love to hear any thing you have learned to push past this.

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  • in reply to Evi

    This is a really interesting thread to come into. I have been studying all aspects of writing for many years, but have really struggled to know what to do next as I seem to get mental blocks when not actively engaged in a course. I frequently do IQ tests as a reminder my brain is still very much fuctioning. Would love to hear any thing you have learned to push past this.

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