Escaping the Vortex: Coping Bells

There have been many times in my life, especially in my younger adult days, when I would fall into a very emotionally unhealthy period, and I would have a really hard time getting back to normal. I wasn't able at that time to go to therapy, and I am not sure I would have. I just would get stuck emotionally after some emotional situation, whether I was depressed, or terrified, or angry. Sometimes I was in the vortex with all of these emotions: angry, terrified, and depressed. I never learned to cope well apparently. Once stuck in the vortex, it is hard to make good decisions or have anything go well, and it is a miserable place to be. I did much soul searching, and eventually I figured out a way to escape the emotional vortex and get it back together. The problem is, when I would fall into the vortex, I had a hard time remembering how to get out. I began to write down the antidotes and post them on the fridge, but I needed a better way to grasp the cure.

Eventually, after many years, the Coping Bell was created. It is a better way to visualize your negative emotional state, and to visualize the way to free yourself. It can be hung anywhere so it can be easily in your hand when needed. It doesn't ring but is a visual tool. Each bell has a key to remind that the cure is in your hands.

I created many bells that hold different positive meanings to different people. They are one of a kind works of art, so no two are alike, and none are perfect, just like us humans, we are not perfect, and that is what makes us beautiful.

Being depressed, fearful or angry are normal emotions, but those of us who can't deal with them properly start to have them intensify and / or layer up, and it becomes really hard to cope. The Coping Bell won't keep you from feeling those emotions, it is just a tool to help you get it back together, so you can have the best outcomes.

The bell is very helpful when you are feeling overwhelmed:

If you are feeling overwhelmingly depressed, the antidote is to focus on being grateful for what you do have, even if it just one little thing. "At least, I am still here. I am still able to see, etc." This is one of those feelings that is often accompanied by an emotional song in your mind. It is important to have an alternative "feel-good" song written down somewhere, to use to try to remove the sad earworm that is plaguing you. My feel-good song is the intermission song from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang".

If you are feeling too worried, the antidote is to have faith in yourself, in others, and if you are spiritual to have faith in God. There is a good chance that everything is going to work out, and you need to focus on that. This can be especially difficult when you are feeling stuck. Write it out, what is making you fearful? Is what you are fearful about real or imagined? Is there anything you can do about it? If it is out of your hands, have faith in others and in God. Living in a state of fear makes it difficult to make good decisions. Try your best to cope, stay out of the vortex.

If you are feeling enraged, the antidote is to try to forgive. This might be to forgive yourself. It might be to forgive someone that has wronged you or wronged someone you love, and that is hard. Some people don't know any better and some people are just nasty, but they didn't get that way on their own. It must be horrible to be so stupid or awful! You don't have to tell them you forgive them, you don't have to give up justice, just try to forgive them in your heart. Being enraged hurts yourself and those that love you. Don't give up the fight, for what is right, but don't be stuck enraged!

Then breathe. This is your life, and you are a powerful being. When you get stuck internally dwelling on these emotions, you can't focus on the beautiful parts of life and existing becomes really hard. You have the key to cope.

When I have bells to sell, I post them on Etsy. Here is a link: https://caringcontent.etsy.com