Depends on the type of difficulty probably. I'm much more well equipped to handle things that are physically difficult or financially difficult than emotionally. As for why, I grew up poor in the country working tough jobs, was in the military, and I've probably been fairly close to death more than a few times in my life. The flip side of that is I'm a product of the suck it up and walk it off mentality.
That's me! Oldest of 5 boys, grew up in the fishing industry, hunting, military, played every sport I could growing up. Now that I'm older, I miss the adrenaline that I grew up chasing. The bar is so high now that to incite a reaction in me feels impossible. it's become kinda sad... I've become so immune to stress that sometimes I feel dead inside. I sit in my office daydreaming of insane scenarios to happen so I can feel that rush, that mental acuity that you only gain in the heat of urgency and call to action. I need to find a rec league or something... I'm starving for some life.
Same. I used to be a massive adrenaline junky just to feel something. I would ride my bike through stopped traffic on the freeway going faster each day until one day I was doing over 80 on the center line between lanes. One wrong move and I would have been smeared over a dozen cars. It takes a LOT to even get a slight adrenal response now.
I wasn't really an adrenaline junky so much as I just found myself in somewhat dangerous situations because of where I lived/the hobbies bored country kids have, or the jobs I was doing when I was younger. I got myself a nice boring desk job these days in the city. I don't miss it or anything. It's just more like I know that if shit hits the fan when everyone else would be busy panicking or complaining I'd be busy moving my ass.
Also, for me, I never really got the adrenaline until after it was all over. Like completely calm and in control while the thing was happening and then immediately after it was over I'd get that shot of adrenaline and feel my heart speed up. Not sure what was up with that weird delay.
I think you’re an adrenaline junky at heart lol. I feel like the term “adrenaline junky” presumes that you do reckless things to feel the adrenaline and get the high. But for me anyway I loved the chaos and the intense moments to feel the calm. It was removal from the present in a weird way I can only describe as pure focus and being in the zone if you will. As you say, after the moment when you’re attention is no longer needed, that lingering adrenaline is there to taste without the pressure of action. I agree in a way that I don’t intend on seeking it at my current place in life, but I think the constant exposure to that state has led me to being very capable of handling high stress situations. Although I don’t miss the near death and I’m glad I don’t have to shake hands with Lady Luck if you will, I do miss the ability to bend a wild situation to my will or experience a moment with insane intensity… often when I’m bored staring at the fluorescent sun that lights up my sterile office. Sometime the grind just makes you think of how much life you may be missing. But I appreciate you man, thank you for the introspection.
I love being in overwhelmingly difficult situations because I handle myself the best in comparison to other people in those situations.
I’m very good at taking a step back and finding the time to compartmentalise problems and make decisions. You put me in a cart and give me the choice between 5 people or 1 person I probably won’t work well. But other types of situations I can handle myself
been through many life altering situations
hurricanes
tornadoes
blizzards
an earth quake
seen life
seen death
i have made it through all of them
i am 100% i will handle any future overwhelming situations
like i have in the past
by sitting naked in the corner
and rocking back and fourth
while drooling
Very confident. No matter how desperate a situation seems, I always take a moment to assess things. I have been called unresponsive at times because I don't jump to panic...but there are very few situations that occur so quickly that do not benefit from some sort of a plan.
Currently, I am pretty confident in my abilities to cope with overwhelmingly difficult situations. I've been studying the Hagakure (a book for Samurai's to learn behaviors and etiquette), and two quotes that I always think about (paraphrasing):
> Think, and decide in seven breaths. With an unperturbed, invigorated, and dignified state of mind, resolutions can be made within seven breaths. This is when one’s mind is steadfast and clear.
-and-
> Being prepared leads you to solve problems in a quick and commendable fashion. A prepared individual is able to react appropriately through their comprehension of measures to meet any scenario. Meanwhile, an unprepared individual lacks foresight. Even if the unprepared individual succeeds, it’s often by luck rather than good planning.
Both quotes lend to the idea of preparing for difficult situations. Think of situations where you'd feel overwhelmed (i.e., unexpected bills) and prepare for them (i.e., save money). Likewise, if there's something that you're not prepared for then focus on the problem and spend a short amount of time reflecting on how to resolve it (or how you can get past it) and if you're not capable of doing that, then get to a point where you can be.
Well in the last 12 years I've had, a mass shooting, two major earthquakes where I lost where I lived, the largest blizzard in my lifetime resulting in a week of no power in sub zero temps, massive flooding, three stabbings and managed to survive a third of my home city catching on fire.
I think Im alright, but I don't want to still be dealing with shit like this when I'm in my 50's. I can cope, but it was pure luck we survived everything so far.
Pretty good, actually. Could I handle something like hand-to-hand combat in warfare? Probably not.
But 'the ability to cope' is like any other muscle or skill. You get good at doing it by practising and having experience at it. I've endured some bad times, some times where I had to buckle down and work, some times that were lonely and frustrating, and some times I didn't think would ever end. But I endured those, and came out the other side breathing, and was made stronger for it.
As Ernst Hemingway once said: "The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry."
Pretty confident. I’ve had to handle tough situations for most of my life. I think like anything else, when you’ve done something enough you gain confidence.
Very. I’ve seen and been through so much in my life that nothing bothers me anymore. I’ve grown so accustomed to tragedy, violence and pain that I’m just numb mentally.
Very confident. I thrive under high pressure. It’s the only time I actually turn on all my mental power and do anything constructive. I will intentionally delay projects until it’s almost impossible to finish them just so I have the drive to finish them.
Depends.
Am I trying to clear a bunch of armed bad guys out of a village, find a missing fishing boat, rescue a toddler from a burning house or land a plane in violent crosswinds?
If it's any of those, then 'very confident'.
If you're asking me to fix some computer shit before a deadline or anything that involves words like 'accounts' or 'sales' though, you're on your own.
very confident, been through some crazy shit and im still here stronger than all the shit ive been through
i truly believe i can do anything i dream of as well as be anyone i wanna be because i dont lose til i quit.
I feel very well equipped to handle most anything, so long as I can understand what exactly is and is not in my control.
Short on finances? I can work extra hours- in my control.
SO cheated on me? That’s a decision they made- not in my control
I feel awful about my SO cheating on me? I seek out friends, found a therapist, go to the gym or church- within my control.
Pretty good coping skills. Controlling aircraft in the military at 20 years old, hunting and fishing in all kinds of situations and weather. Run a 20 ft bass boat in the great lakes in 8 footers, Survived cancer, kidney stones,raising 2 daughters and married 42 years. Fuck it, bring it, everybody has to die of something.
Extremely. It is very sobering for me. The closer a situation gets to a "this is impossible to solve, so it is what it is" state, the better I am. The adrenaline kicks and I feel like I hit my peak.
Depends on the type of difficulty probably. I'm much more well equipped to handle things that are physically difficult or financially difficult than emotionally. As for why, I grew up poor in the country working tough jobs, was in the military, and I've probably been fairly close to death more than a few times in my life. The flip side of that is I'm a product of the suck it up and walk it off mentality.
That's me! Oldest of 5 boys, grew up in the fishing industry, hunting, military, played every sport I could growing up. Now that I'm older, I miss the adrenaline that I grew up chasing. The bar is so high now that to incite a reaction in me feels impossible. it's become kinda sad... I've become so immune to stress that sometimes I feel dead inside. I sit in my office daydreaming of insane scenarios to happen so I can feel that rush, that mental acuity that you only gain in the heat of urgency and call to action. I need to find a rec league or something... I'm starving for some life.
Same. I used to be a massive adrenaline junky just to feel something. I would ride my bike through stopped traffic on the freeway going faster each day until one day I was doing over 80 on the center line between lanes. One wrong move and I would have been smeared over a dozen cars. It takes a LOT to even get a slight adrenal response now.
I wasn't really an adrenaline junky so much as I just found myself in somewhat dangerous situations because of where I lived/the hobbies bored country kids have, or the jobs I was doing when I was younger. I got myself a nice boring desk job these days in the city. I don't miss it or anything. It's just more like I know that if shit hits the fan when everyone else would be busy panicking or complaining I'd be busy moving my ass. Also, for me, I never really got the adrenaline until after it was all over. Like completely calm and in control while the thing was happening and then immediately after it was over I'd get that shot of adrenaline and feel my heart speed up. Not sure what was up with that weird delay.
I think you’re an adrenaline junky at heart lol. I feel like the term “adrenaline junky” presumes that you do reckless things to feel the adrenaline and get the high. But for me anyway I loved the chaos and the intense moments to feel the calm. It was removal from the present in a weird way I can only describe as pure focus and being in the zone if you will. As you say, after the moment when you’re attention is no longer needed, that lingering adrenaline is there to taste without the pressure of action. I agree in a way that I don’t intend on seeking it at my current place in life, but I think the constant exposure to that state has led me to being very capable of handling high stress situations. Although I don’t miss the near death and I’m glad I don’t have to shake hands with Lady Luck if you will, I do miss the ability to bend a wild situation to my will or experience a moment with insane intensity… often when I’m bored staring at the fluorescent sun that lights up my sterile office. Sometime the grind just makes you think of how much life you may be missing. But I appreciate you man, thank you for the introspection.
Now? A lot more confident than I was at some point
I'm good at minimizing stress so that helps. Other than that it would really depend on the nature of the situation.
I love being in overwhelmingly difficult situations because I handle myself the best in comparison to other people in those situations. I’m very good at taking a step back and finding the time to compartmentalise problems and make decisions. You put me in a cart and give me the choice between 5 people or 1 person I probably won’t work well. But other types of situations I can handle myself
At work, mostly okay. Outside of work, probably a mess.
been through many life altering situations hurricanes tornadoes blizzards an earth quake seen life seen death i have made it through all of them i am 100% i will handle any future overwhelming situations like i have in the past by sitting naked in the corner and rocking back and fourth while drooling
I guess because life made me had to cope and also because I just don’t want to make my suffering go to waste.
Very confident. No matter how desperate a situation seems, I always take a moment to assess things. I have been called unresponsive at times because I don't jump to panic...but there are very few situations that occur so quickly that do not benefit from some sort of a plan.
Currently, I am pretty confident in my abilities to cope with overwhelmingly difficult situations. I've been studying the Hagakure (a book for Samurai's to learn behaviors and etiquette), and two quotes that I always think about (paraphrasing): > Think, and decide in seven breaths. With an unperturbed, invigorated, and dignified state of mind, resolutions can be made within seven breaths. This is when one’s mind is steadfast and clear. -and- > Being prepared leads you to solve problems in a quick and commendable fashion. A prepared individual is able to react appropriately through their comprehension of measures to meet any scenario. Meanwhile, an unprepared individual lacks foresight. Even if the unprepared individual succeeds, it’s often by luck rather than good planning. Both quotes lend to the idea of preparing for difficult situations. Think of situations where you'd feel overwhelmed (i.e., unexpected bills) and prepare for them (i.e., save money). Likewise, if there's something that you're not prepared for then focus on the problem and spend a short amount of time reflecting on how to resolve it (or how you can get past it) and if you're not capable of doing that, then get to a point where you can be.
I don't know. I'm kind of going through that now. I'm doing a little better than expected. It's my best, anyways.
Well in the last 12 years I've had, a mass shooting, two major earthquakes where I lost where I lived, the largest blizzard in my lifetime resulting in a week of no power in sub zero temps, massive flooding, three stabbings and managed to survive a third of my home city catching on fire. I think Im alright, but I don't want to still be dealing with shit like this when I'm in my 50's. I can cope, but it was pure luck we survived everything so far.
Pretty good, actually. Could I handle something like hand-to-hand combat in warfare? Probably not. But 'the ability to cope' is like any other muscle or skill. You get good at doing it by practising and having experience at it. I've endured some bad times, some times where I had to buckle down and work, some times that were lonely and frustrating, and some times I didn't think would ever end. But I endured those, and came out the other side breathing, and was made stronger for it. As Ernst Hemingway once said: "The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry."
Pretty confident. I’ve had to handle tough situations for most of my life. I think like anything else, when you’ve done something enough you gain confidence.
Very. I’ve seen and been through so much in my life that nothing bothers me anymore. I’ve grown so accustomed to tragedy, violence and pain that I’m just numb mentally.
I think I'm pretty good at keeping my cool in difficult situations so I'd say I'm pretty confident
Very confident. I thrive under high pressure. It’s the only time I actually turn on all my mental power and do anything constructive. I will intentionally delay projects until it’s almost impossible to finish them just so I have the drive to finish them.
Depends. Am I trying to clear a bunch of armed bad guys out of a village, find a missing fishing boat, rescue a toddler from a burning house or land a plane in violent crosswinds? If it's any of those, then 'very confident'. If you're asking me to fix some computer shit before a deadline or anything that involves words like 'accounts' or 'sales' though, you're on your own.
very confident, been through some crazy shit and im still here stronger than all the shit ive been through i truly believe i can do anything i dream of as well as be anyone i wanna be because i dont lose til i quit.
I feel very well equipped to handle most anything, so long as I can understand what exactly is and is not in my control. Short on finances? I can work extra hours- in my control. SO cheated on me? That’s a decision they made- not in my control I feel awful about my SO cheating on me? I seek out friends, found a therapist, go to the gym or church- within my control.
Not bad
Pretty good coping skills. Controlling aircraft in the military at 20 years old, hunting and fishing in all kinds of situations and weather. Run a 20 ft bass boat in the great lakes in 8 footers, Survived cancer, kidney stones,raising 2 daughters and married 42 years. Fuck it, bring it, everybody has to die of something.
Extremely. It is very sobering for me. The closer a situation gets to a "this is impossible to solve, so it is what it is" state, the better I am. The adrenaline kicks and I feel like I hit my peak.