[Uptown]

After a lot of game, events in my life, and just life in general, I feel like shit.
I need some soul-searching and I wouldn't mind doing it in the form of driving along the coast for a weekend and camping on the beach.
The only thing to do now is to have a list of questions or things I should do whilst out there by myself. I'd want some time to really think about what I want from life and all.
Can anyone contribute to what they do if they want to gather their thoughts? Any questions I should be asking myself?

[little wing]

I'll keep this short.
Try meditation, hiking through nature, reading books.
All of these are made better and more effective by psychedelic drugs like LSD

[BoricuaKing]

I second reading a good book, one that may pertain to what you're going through. It can be the answer to some questions you may have. Also I'd limit all cell phone and internet use

[Speculation]

Don't be surprised if strong emotions come up while you sort through your thoughts and feelings after a long period of distraction. Stick with it and try to resist dissociating activities.

Hiking through nature on a sunny day remains my favourite activity for this sort of thing, broken up by periods of sitting, resting and thinking.

[BIG BOSS]

If you can, go travel. Maybe someplace in asia and learn the culture. That does wonders for self identity.

[Adonis]

I do this quite often, it helps me to recalibrate in a way. I like to go backpacking where external stimulus is at a minimum. Like days from civilization and people. No phones, no cameras, just you in nature. Bring a book, or even better a pen and paper and write things down. String up a hammock and dig how righteous it is on this ball spinning in space.

Things like:
-Short/medium/long range goals
-Things preventing you from reaching said goals
-What do you need to do to reach said goals?
-What life events have brought you to this point?
-If you could go back what would you change?
-If in the future you reach your goals what would you have done differently?

Most importantly
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[Guriko]

(05-01-2016 06:26 AM)UptownSloth Wrote:  

After a lot of game, events in my life, and just life in general, I feel like shit.
I need some soul-searching and I wouldn't mind doing it in the form of driving along the coast for a weekend and camping on the beach.
The only thing to do now is to have a list of questions or things I should do whilst out there by myself. I'd want some time to really think about what I want from life and all.
Can anyone contribute to what they do if they want to gather their thoughts? Any questions I should be asking myself?

Every man worth a damn who walked on this Earth had crises similar to yours.

First thing I’d like to say is that you do not fret. What you are experiencing is perfectly normal and will experience again. I guess it’s your own body and spirit telling you, in a natural way, that it’s time to recalibrate, which men can only do alone.

Some do it in the mountains, others by the sea… it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you take time for yourself in order to explore yourself. To reach your innermost sacred chambers.

In the last two years there have been a couple of times where I’ve felt a bit ‘unhinged’. I did not feel compatible with the world around me. Like there was some sort of cold metal grating on my soul and mind which caused considerate discomfort.

At first I didn’t know what to do, to be honest. Then I simply decided to ‘plug out’. I shut down all of my electronic devices and sat alone in my room with the windows open. Cold air breezed through me and I thought the same as you. At first I didn’t have questions. Everything was dark. Then the questions and images came from alone. I think they come. They always do. The problem is that we do not take enough time for ourselves to be alone in order for them to emerge from the depths of our souls.

Two books I’d recommend to read because they’ve helped me.

King, Warrior, Magician and Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine

Gorilla Mindset: How to Control Your Thoughts and Emotions to Live life on Your Terms

They are short reads. Combined 400 pages, which should take you a couple of days at most.

The first one deals about the questions of masculinity from a Jungian perspective and argues the problems men and their souls face today. The second one describes the best way to live with a positive mental attitude which will enable you to find your goals and reach them (but if you are already familiar with the Manosphere then the works of Mike should not be a stranger to you).

God bless and Godspeed brother.

[RatInTheWoods]

Drawing a mind map of your life, its components, where you are now and whee you want to be can help, and takes a few days. Take plenty of paper and work through it.

Another option is to do a course in goal setting. There are many people offering boot camp weekends and seminars where you navel gaze and come out with a plan. Maybe doing it with others under a skilled facilitator will be more beneficial?

[Surreyman]

(05-01-2016 06:26 AM)UptownSloth Wrote:  

After a lot of game, events in my life, and just life in general, I feel like shit.
I need some soul-searching and I wouldn't mind doing it in the form of driving along the coast for a weekend and camping on the beach.
The only thing to do now is to have a list of questions or things I should do whilst out there by myself. I'd want some time to really think about what I want from life and all.
Can anyone contribute to what they do if they want to gather their thoughts? Any questions I should be asking myself?

Usually once every couple of months I go hiking for the weekend. Originally I only went alone because my friends weren't interested, but later on I learnt to appreciate the solitude of it.

I always prefer wilderness areas, with as low populations as possible. It's a very intense experience crossing rivers and bogs by yourself, but it also builds your inner strength considerably. It teaches you what you're able to do, and what your limits are.

As men we ultimately need to be self-validating, and spending time alone allows for that. Also, as an introvert I find that coming back into civilisation I have a tremendous store of social energy.

I know you asked about 'gathering your thoughts', but sometimes a little bit of travel like that is just what you need, it's like switching yourself on and off again.