AMA, The Spook answers all!

[Spook of the lost]

@Megan Sure. When I was younger I took self defense classes, and one of the styles I mastered was tai-chi, which helps me relax when stressed. That and focused meditation.

[Megan]

What kind of meditations do you typically like to do?

[Spook of the lost]

Believe it or not I took inspiration from star trek. In the various shows the vulcans use a technique involving focusing on a single point and using that to clear the mind, steady the breathing and letting everything disappear. Usually I use a small candle to focus on.

It's how I learned to control my emotions as a teenager, though back then I did it to an excess and had to learn to open up again. Still it's useful when I'm dealing with strong emotions or just need to clear my mind for a bit.

The biggest thing I took away from the whole emotional control thing though is I can filter them unless they're really strong. For example when I was working the front counter at a place and someone was visibly angry, being an emotionless person helps because usually people give up trying to use their anger to push you, that moment when they realize the futility of getting a rise out of a person like that it's like their face sort of goes through a visible series of states before settling on this frustrated exhausted look and usually either give up or accept what's being offered.

These days though I use it when I'm under a lot of stress, most recently I've been using it to deal with a lot of job related stuff but among other things it's useful for extreme grief, depression, frustration, and anything I'm feeling terrible about. It's like shutting out the world and then looking at the whole picture analytically to work through it with logic.

[Megan]

Is it always helpful or do you have times where it feels meh?

[Spook of the lost]

It's usually helpful, it's like, at this point the ability to isolate myself and look at things as an outside observer is sort of like cheating. To analyze the reason for the emotions in a logical way means struggling with them comes a lot less often and it means they don't have to overwhelm me if I can focus enough to begin meditation.

There's definitely that period though where it doesn't feel like it's working at first which is why I've been looking for a middle ground where it's partially on at all times but I'm not as my ex and still close friend who helped me realize this mistake described, incredibly cold and difficult to read.

I used it as an escape once... I don't want to again because re-learning what it means to feel things like extreme joy to the point of tears or strong connections and desire to be with someone actually hurts a little when you're not used to it.

[Megan]

Do you ever wish you could turn off emotions?

[Spook of the lost]

@Megan I used to, I nearly did considering I had to re-learn them but now I actually don't want to lose them or my ability to express them. It's hard enough when I need to mirror and emulate them when talking to people so they don't feel uncomfortable.

It's more like the vulcan approach now. They're there and I feel them, but they're controlled and such. If anything I wish I were more expressive and outgoing. It'd help a lot with socializing and meeting new people.

[Megan]

I know how you feel. I'm not a very social person myself. XD


What draws you to forums?

[Spook of the lost]

@Megan simple, I prefer them over social media. The communication is better and you don't feel like you're trying to fight for space when writing new topics.

[Megan]

That's true. =3


Do you use any social media at all?