Sunday Scribblings tells us to use the phrase "I get that sinking feeling."
This is such a familiar feeling. We all get in one tie or the other. We get it when we are afraid of something and when we are angry too.
At certain point of time, one has to make specific decisions. When that time arrives, one gets a sinking feeling. Whenever I had to change the course of my life, I have felt that low down feeling which lasts for a while. That must be because we fear change. Any kind of change. We feel cocooned by routine mundane way of life. Change means deviation from that all too well known path for some time to come. That sinking feeling has no rhyme or reason; it comes at most inconvenient times. I may be feeling at the top of the world one moment and down in the dumps in the next one. Most do not realise that change is the only constant. Hence it scares us. If we see in a broader sense, every moment is a change. It can never be monotonous as such. Life can never be that. That sinking feeling prepares us to face it. To look squarely into it.
I too feel that like goose pimples, this sinking feeling too helps us in dealing with that impending change called life, better. I suppose it balances our outlook to an extent. I feel that these are nature’s way of preparing the human mind for the bigger picture. It is in my inherent nature to look at things in a positive way. I try to see that in that sinking feeling too. May be the sinking feeling is really the flying out feeling.
Right now I have that sinking feeling because I walked away. Although, I had to.
This is going to last for a long time….
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**Update: Nowhere in this post, I said, I do not welcome/enjoy change. People who read me regularly know that I dabble in new things and I need new challenges all that time. I think the post title too speaks out.
In case you have not read it, don't forget to read my poem, blood in the streets.
You can read my review of tuesdays with Morrie too, on my other blog, reading room.
39 comments:
I can so relate to "that sinking feeling" when it comes to change...I confess to being one who basks in the cocoon of everything remaining the same! Growing up, my family moved constantly, and instead of adjusting to it, it made me dread change and yearn for roots. Change is difficult for me, but as I get older I realize how important it is to keep us growing. Thank you for a wonderful read, as always!
Isn't it wonderful that we are all so different? I adore change and relish another chapter of life. Going with the flow leads to a multitude of new experiences that I hope you will one day enjoy! I wonder too what it is you walked away from? Thanks for another perspective!
change has always inspired me,, it is the monotony of life,, that causes in me that sinking feeling....
fledgling poet: Change will happen whether we desire it or not. Sometime we choose to change, sometimes change chooses us. What we call sinking feeling, infact prepares us to face it.
redness: We have to be different. Otherwise the world becomes boring. No where I said, I do not enjoy change. I do. The initial thing scars me but only for while..
paisley: Change has to inspire. What you call monotony is infact life. Facing that is a challenge. Most of us run away from that and end up chasing Eldorado which does not exist.
I feel as redness does. The sort of thing that might be described as a sinking feeling comes to me when I feel I haven't changed enough.
Robert: Thanks for your visit. I hope you read my reply to redness. Same goes for you too.
Regarding your question, I think it was this sentence:
"Whenever I had to change the course of my life, I have felt that low down feeling which lasts for a while."
Perhaps I jumped to a conclusion. Maybe you both like and fear change.
"We feel cocooned by routine mundane way of life."
You captured my mood perfectly in a single sentence. I often feel trapped, like the walls are closing in on me in a claustrophobic sense, when a stagnant routine leaves no room for adventure or new experiences. When that sinking feeling sets in, change is inevitable.
"May be the sinking feeling is really the flying out feeling".
I love your positive spin on your sinking feeling :)
change can be necessary or even welcome but it usually induces that sinking feeling...
i think i know what you mean.
I guess the thing about that sinking feeling is that we are rarely actually sunk by it.
changes are for better ...I hope you will be well soon!
I finally made it back-aren't you just happy I am here. I have worked and worked and worked until there is nothing left of me but a pile of dust that can't press the keys, but today after all that work I decided you would be my one comment for the next two weeks. I really like what redness had to say. Of course as far as change goes, it happens, usually we have no control, and it's difficult. I wrote about something much different that had nothing to do with change, more staying stagnent I think. Well, keep it real and someday I will get to a point where I can start to read and write again. I miss the magical land of blogging so much, but the bills can't wait and for now this can.
same here (sinking feeling w/change) but I've always noticed that the change has never substantiated the sinking feeling (to date that is)
great post.
The title "First tumble down and then fly" reminds me of the time when I look out through the window as the airplane takes off. The plane lifted off the ground. At that moment, my thought changes and the sinking feeling hits me. What would happen when something goes wrong, will the plane explode?...changes takes place everywhere and at every moment...my point is how we view the changes is all that really matters. Thanks for the post.
Your title reminds me of the Dan Fogelberg song, "Netherlands" -- "When I made my decision, my vision became my release . . ." I think that's how the line goes. Now I must listen to the song . . .haven't heard it in awhile, but it is among my all-time favorites.
This is true: "Change is the only constant."
Excellent writing.
Your post was thought-provoking. Thanks for sharing it. It's well-written.
I agree thought we welcome the change but the first thought of plunging the water it is scary
Nice essay Gautami--i like the way you kept coming back to the phrase (which I've found a bit depressive and am not sure I'll get a Scribbling up today
What a good way of looking at that "sinking feeling," - that it's helping us get ready for change - that it
" prepares us to face it. To look squarely into it."
I like that!
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cocooned by routine - I live the richness and can feel your sentiment in my bones!
Yes, there is always that feeling of dread, that moment of questioning. "Am I doing the right thing? Is this coming back to haunt me?" And then we jump.
yes- the moment of seconding guessing an otherwise sound and exciting decision.. I know that feeling often. I understand.
Don'cha just hate it when you type a b'zillion words in a comment but then somebody goes and disconnects the interweb thingie?
Then again, since I do have a habit of writing TOO MUCH, perhaps it was a blessing for you.
It was almost a funny thing, too, but then, sometimes I'm crude, and truthfully, I don't actually mean to be, but rather, it's my relaxed nature about things.
In any case, about that sinking feeling?
When one is getting that feeling, it's best to become alert to one's position as they may be sinking in quicksand.
(I'll skip the personal part..)
Experience is a fine teacher about such things, though, and I think it may not be so possible to warn others away from disaster.
Personally, I sunk clean to my neck before I suddenly realized what I had gotten into (strictly in a metaphorical way) and, while not wanting to be there, found that it was the prelude to other things.
You walked away from what, Gautami?
I agree with you...
I think that "sinking feeling" is just the knowing that something inevitable is approaching -- a change of some sort -- and we know we can't avoid it.
I think the "sinking feeling" is just us bracing for that to happen, not knowing how it's going to turn out but knowing we have to let it come.
Gautami, you have so eloquently described what it is I have been going through this month. Sometimes it also happens when you see the truth and know you can no longer look away and be careless/carefree. And yes, every moment is change - which makes me wonder, why do we ever buy into the fallacy that things stay the same in the first place? Thank you for your insight and thank you for stopping by and your kind comments.
I think in this case that sinking feeling is something akin to nervous anticipation. I find that even as I welcome the change it is just slightly scary too.
One of the best lessons I ever learned was that ALL change is stressful, even good change.
Hi Gautami,
I for one, really am uncomfortable with changes. I guess, I'm just too familiar with my comfort zone to really adapt to any changes at all. It's a very powerful essay you've written there. Thanks for sharing your thought. :)
I'm also the type of person who likes their routines, and big life changes always leave that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Good post!
Perhaps the tides of life are more comfortable during their ebbs than under their flows. Great post.
Nice post and astute thoughts! Sinking feelings can attack at any time and for any reason, I guess. Sometimes change creates it, sometimes just knowing change will come creates that sinking feeling.
Your post seemed to speak to quite a few people this week. You are correct -- change is the only constant for us.
Wonderful post and great topic. I am a change hound. I always tend to get bored without it. Loved the poem as well. I love to read your writings.
Very nice post. Thank you!
Change is difficult,I know it gives me a sinking feelings as offten as it gives joy.
Change can lift our spirit's or give us a sinking feeling but it's still moving forward. :) I'm sure walking away was a good thing for you.
I like your thoughts on the sinking feeling and I too find that change can be a factor in that certain sensation. Interesting how you ended the post, a bit mysterious, one must wonder...walked away from what or whom?
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