Remedy for a SHITTY DAY

  • Join our community of outdoor enthusiasts! Subscribe to Field Ethos Magazine to unlock full forum access and connect with fellow adventurers sharing their stories, tips, and experiences.

    If you are already a subscriber, log in here.
"Grab the bow - 1 shot, walk to the target, walk back, 1 shot."

Amen to that.
A little late to the party here. Shooting my bow was my primary stress reliever and I miss it greatly. Due to two neck surgeries I can't shoot a bow anymore. I've been thinking about getting a bow with a low draw weight. While I won't be able to hunt with it, at least I'll have the discipline of shooting to help clear my mind.

I have, frankly, suffered since I stopped shooting my bow. I have a very high-stress job (I defend physicians and health care providers in medical malpractice cases, primarily ER docs) so I have a lot of stress. I've started rucking recently so hopefully that will help
 
A little late to the party here. Shooting my bow was my primary stress reliever and I miss it greatly. Due to two neck surgeries I can't shoot a bow anymore. I've been thinking about getting a bow with a low draw weight. While I won't be able to hunt with it, at least I'll have the discipline of shooting to help clear my mind.

I have, frankly, suffered since I stopped shooting my bow. I have a very high-stress job (I defend physicians and health care providers in medical malpractice cases, primarily ER docs) so I have a lot of stress. I've started rucking recently so hopefully that will help
Rucking is cool. I use the forty five pound plate from goruck. The smooth flat one. Pretty discreet.

I used to listen to music, podcasts, etc. But I found it to be distracting. Rucks/walks in the quiet do wonders. In the beginning, it's boring. But after awhile it clears me up.
 
Rucking is cool. I use the forty five pound plate from goruck. The smooth flat one. Pretty discreet.

I used to listen to music, podcasts, etc. But I found it to be distracting. Rucks/walks in the quiet do wonders. In the beginning, it's boring. But after awhile it clears me up.
This is my training ruck...
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20260225_222213081.jpg
    PXL_20260225_222213081.jpg
    3.5 MB · Views: 12
This is my training ruck...

Nice! I bet it's more comfortable than mine. I don't have a waste strap.

The only thing I don't like is the look. Not a big deal but when people see me on the trail, they don't notice the pack. Again, not a big deal. Just preference.

I do like that you can adjust the weight though. I've had a few dumb injuries where I would have benefited from less weight.
 
Rucking is cool. I use the forty five pound plate from goruck. The smooth flat one. Pretty discreet.

I used to listen to music, podcasts, etc. But I found it to be distracting. Rucks/walks in the quiet do wonders. In the beginning, it's boring. But after awhile it clears me up.
I'm currently using a 20 lb sandbag and will up the weight as I progress. I won't go over 40-50 pounds as that's part of why I've had the two neck surgeries (USMC infantry).

I currently listen to podcasts because my commute is so short it takes me a week to get through a two-hour podcast. That said, you raise a good point about focusing on clearing my mind. On the flip side, I usually ruck in the morning to start my day off and I'm in a good mood... Choices....
 
No joking here @YETI but makes me wonder, axe throwing still a negative motion for the neck? .22 automatic pistol competitive shooting?

A little late to the party here. Shooting my bow was my primary stress reliever and I miss it greatly. Due to two neck surgeries I can't shoot a bow anymore. I've been thinking about getting a bow with a low draw weight. While I won't be able to hunt with it, at least I'll have the discipline of shooting to help clear my mind.

I have, frankly, suffered since I stopped shooting my bow. I have a very high-stress job (I defend physicians and health care providers in medical malpractice cases, primarily ER docs) so I have a lot of stress. I've started rucking recently so hopefully that will help
 
No joking here @YETI but makes me wonder, axe throwing still a negative motion for the neck? .22 automatic pistol competitive shooting?
Could definitely do either of those. That said, I would have to go to the range for the .22 since I live in the burbs. I realized this morning that one of the things I love to do to decompress is sit on the back patio or deck and pet my dog.
 
Could definitely do either of those. That said, I would have to go to the range for the .22 since I live in the burbs. I realized this morning that one of the things I love to do to decompress is sit on the back patio or deck and pet my dog.
I never thought 🤔 of axe throwing as a way to decompress but it stands to reason. Back in the day I used to compete in the statewide logging rodeos, axe throwing, match split, log toss, log burling, pole climbing (let the pervs have their field day 🤣) two man crosscut, one man cross cut, choker setting, etc... good times!...

Regarding the 22... My suppressed S&W M&P 22 is as quiet (honestly) with Eley Subsonic ammo as my kids pellet gun, should be able to use that in a residential area 😃
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20240808_171735903~2.jpg
    PXL_20240808_171735903~2.jpg
    4.3 MB · Views: 8
  • IMG_20180825_172610_1.jpg
    IMG_20180825_172610_1.jpg
    1.6 MB · Views: 7
  • IMG_20160813_113927952.jpg
    IMG_20160813_113927952.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 6
  • IMG_20160813_112451449.jpg
    IMG_20160813_112451449.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 8
  • original_7747528a-1a2e-4d29-9308-54b37e514176_PXL_20210728_134731056.jpg
    original_7747528a-1a2e-4d29-9308-54b37e514176_PXL_20210728_134731056.jpg
    4.1 MB · Views: 11
  • IMG_20160813_122448643.jpg
    IMG_20160813_122448643.jpg
    2.5 MB · Views: 9
I have three small kids so when I’ve had a tough day I distract myself by diving into their world- some matching game, some performance judging, maybe a dance party. Hard to take life seriously from a 5 year old’s POV. Quiet walk with the dog to let the mind wonder. When all else fails- pour a stiff one and cook a great dinner.
 
Ok FE Society Members,

You all know what a shitty day looks like, feels like, smells like, so should we share what we do about it?

I’m willing to wager it’s a 1% condition at best the folks who post on their favorite social channels, “hey, today sucked”. Yet we all know life is a distribution curve of experiences, from crap to average to amazing. I believe the Lord gave us bad days so the great days have context and just feel way better.

In full disclosure, my organization has come to accept my use of certain days of the week as descriptors of good and bad, along with a bazillion other often used platitudes, phrases, many of which are socially insensitive and likely against prevailing laws and norms. You guessed it, bad is “fucking Monday material” and good is “I’d buy that twice on Tuesday”.

I’ll lead with my chin here and say what I do when it’s been a less than stellar day.

I’ve got to feed my brain, my soul, my aspiration, and my recollection.

Brain - I go for a long walk, hike, hit the gym, hit the punching bag, anything that creates some endorphins flowing back in to the system.

Soul - I go find a friend, my soul mate, or if needed go it alone, and go find a few minutes of pleasure, like a swim in the ocean, a view of the sunset, ten well placed rounds in sequence at the range, but something that generates a smile.

Aspiration - I’ll spend a minute, or two, contemplating an adventure, a challenge, an objective, that I want to achieve, and add to my planning and progress to that effect.

Recollection - I’ll journal a short page, usually not recounting the bad but often siting the stoics and memorializing a prompt to be better. Ok, if it’s a REALLY SHITTY DAY I might write a name in the page reserved for people I will kill if I get terminal cancer or something like that where I’m going out anyway and might as well eliminate their evil from the face of the planet, I hold a high bar here, current list is two folks, when it hits five I execute even without the medical prognosis.

So, while I hope all of you don’t have shitty days, you probably do, and when you do, what do you do about it?
@Godfather how did I miss this post? It is a wonderful plan of action to get things turned around on a bad day!
 
First thing I do is remind myself of a couple of maxims.

1) the only way through, is through. Like the story of the bison vs the cows in a storm. Running from it only means it takes longer.
2) The sun will rise again tomorrow. It will be a new day. Get up with it, nothing is worth deciding otherwise. You are needed here.

And then I get up and move. Exercise, gym, walk, anything to get my body moving. And drink water.
Excellent!
 
I reflect on what God has done in my life. My youngest went into v fib at basketball game just over a year ago. Very low survival rate. He should have died, but through a series of miracles that can only be explained by God’s providence and grace, he survived without any long term damage and is doing great. I’m blessed beyond measure, and bad days really aren’t so bad anymore.
WOW! Such a blessing and thank you for sharing!
 
For me it’s getting away from everyone and going to my lake. Sometimes just sitting and remembering better times, others walking the shore line exploring like I did as a kid back home in the swamps with my dogs. That or if it’s winter, sit in my 80s bar and remember the hunts I went on while looking at my mounts and other things I have collected on trips that surround me over the years.
IMG_9420.jpegIMG_4782.jpeg
 
Back
Top