#143 | May 20, 2025 | 10:07

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🧠 Thought Stream

[questioning thought]: Why, why, why I am still feeling nausea when planning or attempting to plan when to post in my Instagram the Filipino event I participated in remembering the tragic car incident deaths to Filipinos while celebrating Lapu-Lapu event?

[frustrated thought]: I have to get over this. I can’t move on if this keeps going.

[challenging thought]: Why forced it? You’re just lacking attention. You want to feel like you’re doing something, you’re in momentum, letting others know that you’re still doing something.. something.. for the community. Why are needing to explain your existence?

[defensive thought]: LOL. And you don’t?

~Body: sigh, pit in the stomach

[grounding thought]: Ok, ok. Let’s work on this. What is it going on here, and now? You want to feel and be known in the digital world. Visualize the image that we’ve been working on: you’re in the barren, deserted land. You only got yourself. And you’re 8yo son is with you.

[resistant thought]: Oh, come on.

[firm guiding thought]: Listen, now. I be firm now. Listen. Focus. (a woman squinted her eyes, hard look). In that land.. is all you’ve got. All you can see — with your own eyes, touch around it. The digital world (beyond your reach) is across that mountain. Would those people across the world would think about your effort?

[vulnerable thought]: I think I’m feeling scared.

~Feeling: scared, hollow

[compassionate thought]: Yes, you are. Nothing’s wrong with that. It’s just that it’s beyond your reach. I know it’s just a button away in your phone but think the WHY you need to do this. Your body is saying not now. It’s not a NO because no man is an island. It’s just.. not yet. Do you understand?

[native language reassuring thought]: Salig lang. Ayaw ka panic, Maan. Salig lang.
[Translation: Just trust. Don’t panic, Maan. Just trust.]

[grounding reminder thought]: Remember: DO THE MOST NECESSARY BEST THING.

[accepting thought]: Okay, got it. Thanks. Got it.

~Feeling: relieved

~Body: still

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THEORETICAL CONNECTIONS:

This experience connects to concepts such as:

1. Somatic Intelligence and Digital Overwhelm The physical nausea and feeling “suffocated” when considering posting reflects what researchers call “somatic intelligence” – the body’s capacity to signal psychological overwhelm before conscious awareness catches up. To explore diverse perspectives, try searching “embodied digital resistance” or “somatic responses to social media pressure.”

2. Cultural Commemoration and Performance Anxiety The specific challenge of posting about a Filipino community event commemorating tragedy reveals tensions between authentic cultural connection and digital performance. This connects to research on how diaspora communities navigate commemoration in digital spaces. To explore diverse perspectives, try searching “diaspora digital commemoration” or “cultural authenticity social media.”

3. Internal Family Systems and Grounding Practices The emergence of the firm guiding figure who uses visualization to redirect attention demonstrates what depth psychology calls “Self-leadership” – internal resources that can help other parts find perspective and grounding. To explore diverse perspectives, try searching “internal wisdom figures” or “indigenous approaches to inner guidance.”

These connections were curated with assistance from Claude AI.

EXPLORATION STARTING POINTS:

• Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport – explores healthy relationships with digital technology and social media (suggested by Claude AI)
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk – examines how the body processes and signals psychological states (suggested by Claude AI)
• Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist – addresses the tension between authentic living and performative sharing (suggested by Claude AI)

STANDARD DISCLAIMER:

WooshBrain connects personal experience with broader psychological concepts. While I aim for accuracy, these connections are starting points for exploration rather than definitive interpretations. I encourage readers to explore these ideas through their own research.Retry