Be Part of Something

Do you like to be alone? Sometimes having our own self time can be healthy, but too much time alone can be unhealthy. When we were kids, it seems that we always had some group to be part of. In school we had our friends, at home we had the neighborhood clan, there seemed to be many choices of groups that we belonged to. Some of us probably played some sort of sport, or were involved in music, arts, a church group, cub scouts, girl scouts, even a really cool summer camp. The bottom line is when we were kids we had groups that we took part in and enjoyed on some level. Fast forward to the present day, what are you a part of? The trick is to be a kid again. Find that fun again while being part of something. Support groups, book clubs, choir group, softball teams, bowling league, are some groups that you can enjoy. Self does not get pleasure from isolation, it turns quickly to depression and anxiety. Being part of your own depression and anxiety group is not fun, or healthy. Ask your self when you were the happiest? My hunch is that you did have some group or groups that you participated in on a weekly basis. Being active needs to be part of your daily routine. Going to school and work is positive. But, you still need to be part of something for your self. Now, if you are in a interpersonal relationship, that does not count as being part of something.  Self needs to have its own group apart from your relationship. When you do everything with your significant other, spouse, or best friend, you are becoming co-dependent. Most healthy relationships have both parties in some sort of individual group that is not with each other. That is healthy. I hear to often from clients and peers that I do not have any extra time to get involved with other groups. This writer respectfully understands how busy some of you may be. However, if you take the time and make a list of all of the groups you think you are involved in, you will see that many of these groups are not for your self but for your family. This is normal, and expected. This does not mean you are finding a group for your self. Be part of something for you and only you! Revise and modify your schedule. It works, try it! Stay in your health, stay in the moment.