Advice on How To Separate Triggers from DayDreaming?

[Kate]

Hello guys!

I was wondering if anyone has any advice on separating MDDing from triggers? Specifically music as a trigger? At the moment I've quit listening to music as I find that's when I MDD worse - full on rocking or running about - cut my MDDing done to barely anything. However, I'd still like to return to listening to music but I'm not sure how to do that safely. 

I also have the issue that I think I might imagination stuff to music - MDD or not. I remember that guy at the beginning of Fantasia mentioning that people sometimes imagine scenes to music, so I'm hoping/guessing I'm not the only one.

So any news or words of advice on neutralising triggers? 

[Aquarius]

I have plenty.

1) Listen to the radio.  You can't know what song is going to be played next, and if a favorite MDD song does turn up, your mind will find it too sudden a situation to MDD to it.

2) The fact that we MDD is because we have active imaginations- better than most people I guess. Who's to say that you won't become a music director. Pick up an art- I bet you already do something like sketching, painting, playing an instrument or writing.

3) Quit TV- ok not altogether. Just make it mindful. Game of Thrones,  How to get away with murder- those kind of engaging tv series which will exhaust your mind. Cut back on comedies , reality tv and food shows

4) But we do have a need to MDD - enter audio books. Just try it. Seriously. That or podcasts. Look up Modern Love by the NYT or Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed.

I noticed that some people can trigger MDD. A phone call from a on-off friend who is an 'adorable' alcoholic. A hated cousin visiting town. A Whatsapp message on a group from someone who wronged me. A Linkedin update popped up of a dreaded fear-inducing ex-boss.

So yeah limit social media. In my case I got rid of the smartphone altogether, of course I did that to focus on my book writing. But social media is a trigger. Don't even get me started on Facebook.

I'm visiting the forum after quite a while now. I do so whenever I feel my MDD is out of whack. It's not out of whack, in fact I want to MDD but I can't do so. I've taken up a professional degree and it's difficult. My fear is making me avoid the units of study I have to do, and that is making me MDD.

Just understanding the root cause of your triggers will help you a great deal.  Cheers!

[GME]

Does all music trigger you, or just certain types? I find that if I'm trying to concentrate but I need music, I listen to songs that don't stimulate my imagination as much. For me, it's certain types of classical music, especially Mozart since his music is known to help with concentration, but for you it might be something else.

Otherwise, if you're going to listen to music that you like, try to only do it at certain times of the day when you're not doing anything important. I don't think being triggered by music is necessarily bad - but just be mindful of the timing.

[Kate]

Thanks for the replies! Yes, Gina I'm afraid its basically all music. Accept maybe classical. I always visual something. And I have thought of restricting music listening to when I'm travelling. But still afraid of starting up a slippery slope. I really don't want to fall back down again this time - it's been a bit hard. I'm still MDDing without music - I'm playing the music in my head - but I'm not killing several hours doing it. I thought about doing CBT style bands to prevent myself of MDDIng whilst listening to music, but afraid it won't work - and I don't want to ruin my run. So far I have not put on any music myself and MDDed. The only music I have had 'on' is when I've played my ocarina (a wind instrument) and my desperation for music is making me itch to practise the piano - which is a good thing. So I don't know. Sorry for being difficult - but at the moment I feel like it's almost all or nothing and I don't know how much of me just misses music and how much misses MDDing!!

Gina Marie Eaton said:

Does all music trigger you, or just certain types? I find that if I'm trying to concentrate but I need music, I listen to songs that don't stimulate my imagination as much. For me, it's certain types of classical music, especially Mozart since his music is known to help with concentration, but for you it might be something else.

Otherwise, if you're going to listen to music that you like, try to only do it at certain times of the day when you're not doing anything important. I don't think being triggered by music is necessarily bad - but just be mindful of the timing.