March 16, 2026
I’ve been away for a while and decided to get back into blogging with answering one of the prompts WordPress generated. So why not kick things off with talking about something that can be extremely useful in daily life.
Coping with negative feelings seems to be a prominent theme with the state of chaos in the world. The levels of uncertainty are high. The repeated phrase “unprecedented times” is sprinkled throughout news reports like overly seasoned meals no one wants to consume. Then intertwine the effects of aging and dealing with changes in your body. Add the loss of loved ones while climbing the mountain of midlife crisis. Re-evaluate structure in your life, job satisfaction, and truly embrace your own mortality. The combination makes for one hell of a cocktail. Not to mention being overly stimulated, over caffeinated, and still trying to function. So how do you minimize the impact all of these varied scenarios and emotions weighing on you?
If it is a situation that is beyond the scope of my control, I do what is in the scope of my control to process my emotions about it. I’m a person that naturally searches for a solution to something even if it’s unconventional. I grew up watching MacGuyver with my grandma. MacGuyver could save the day with a paperclip and a piece of chewing gum. His actions reinforced a make due attitude that was prevalent in my childhood home. But as an adult, I had to come to terms with not being able to find a solution. This realization threw me into an unknown space.
From that moment forward, I learned to accept that I don’t have the solutions to everything. However, I do have the keys to processing my feelings and determining how I respond. So…sometimes I journal, pray, meditate, soak in the tub, cook, bake, sleep, exercise, spend time with friends, talk to a therapist or trusted friend or family member, have a drink, watch a series or film I really enjoy, read, listen to music, an audio book, or podcast, walk in nature, make candles, learn a new skill, or reconnect with an activity I haven’t done in a while. I seek to reconnect with me or a part of myself that brings out the best in me. Oh and I curse and cry when and if I feel the need.
For me, I haven’t found one guaranteed method that always works for processing negative feelings. I try a variety. And sometimes the answer is a nap, a good meal, and a shift in perspective.
Necia Mac Writes 