Okay, so I finally got around to testing these epipsychology therapy techniques myself. Honestly, I’ve been feeling kinda stuck lately – work stress, that constant buzzing in my head, you know the drill. Figured I’d give this whole “epipsychology” thing a shot after hearing buzz about it.
First Approach: The Memory Walk
Started simple last Tuesday morning. Grabbed my old notebook and sat in the backyard. The idea? Dig up specific good memories instead of wallowing in crap ones. I picked my 10th birthday at the beach deliberately.
- Closed my eyes and tried really hard to picture that blue bucket I used for sandcastles
- Actually smelled saltwater after a few minutes – freaked me out a bit
- Focused on how warm Dad’s shoulder felt when he carried me piggyback
Did this for 20 minutes every morning all week. Weirdest thing? When work pissed me off Thursday, that beach feeling popped up automatically. Like my brain found a shortcut around the anger.
Second Approach: Active Journal Screaming
Tried this Wednesday night. More intense. Sat at my kitchen table with a giant red marker and cheap notebook. Rules: No filtering, just rapid-fire scribbling every angry thought about my toxic project manager.
- Wrote “STEVE SUCKS” so hard the paper tore
- Drew stupid cartoon heads with X’s for eyes
- Finished by ripping the page out and literally stomped on it
Felt ridiculous doing it. But afterward? That tight chest thing eased up. Did it again Friday when the jerk cancelled our meeting last minute. Shockingly effective stress valve.
Third Approach: Future Self Roleplay
Saved the weirdest for Sunday. Stood in front of my bathroom mirror around 8pm. Imagined talking to my 70-year-old self looking back.
- Asked out loud: “How bad will this work drama matter in 40 years?”
- Faked a raspy old voice answering myself (felt silly!)
- Heard my “future self” say: “Quit wasting energy on idiots”
Laughed at first. Then teared up. Damn mirror fogged up from all this deep breathing too. Something shifted though – current problems suddenly felt small.
Putting It Together
Honest results after one week? Not magic but shockingly practical. When I feel the stress boiling now:
- Immediately do 2-min memory flashback
- If still pissed, hustle to grab that red marker
- When overwhelmed, ask “WW70YOD?” (What would 70-year-old me do?)
My takeaway? It’s not about fixing everything overnight. It’s training your brain to jump tracks before derailing. Still carrying that torn Steve-sucks page in my work bag though. Feels like emotional pepper spray.