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I always have to call my mom to get that reality check I need every once in a while.  How do you get it by yourself?

I call my Mom. She gives it to me straight whether I like it or not.

Funny how we all mention female family members. My mom is one. My friend Tom is another -- he always gives it to me straight, whether I want him to or not. :)

I think the question was, "How do I get it by myself?" 

By sitting quietly on the back patio, drinking tea and reading a self-help book that is not directly related to my particular problem!  (Or a novel.) 

I need to wallow in my misery for a while.  After my emotions run their course, my practical side takes over and figures out the steps to resolution.  Which often include calling specific people for specific kinds of advice, insight, or suggestions.

When I was younger I'd wallow in it , write about, and read a good novel in all my extra time.Now that I'm grown w/ a job & family of my own, I don't have time for all that. It's good though, cause it keeps me from slipping into a slump of depression & lazyness, but there are times when I wish I could wallow a little. My mom keeps me grounded,she's become the one who will always be there in many ways. But mostly, she listens and let's me vent when I'm having a rough time. Our relationship hasn't always been like this, I didn't talk to her abt much. I was so private that I didn't even let her read my poetry until a few yrs ago. There was one time abt a yr ago when she helped me stand my ground & defended me. I will nvr forget it, it was the hardest thing I'd ever gone through and she was there when she didn't have to be.

Well if I stay out too late or don't do my chores, mommy and daddy ground me...

My best friend Kathy, and my sister. And to be honest, myself most of the time.

Its funny we usually go to other people (not there's anything wrong with the help of others) for answers and advice that we already have. We just need that confirmation from and outside source other than ourselves. But most of the time, we know what we have to do and the reason why we have to do it. Sometimes it's all about making that final decision that we "need help solving".

How do I ground myself... I write.  Usually I'll write down exactly what it is that's bothering me or bringing me down and then analyze it.  If that doesn't help I call my dad.  He has a way, like Lacey mentioned, of telling what I already know but he does it in a way that wakes me up somehow.  He is the only one that knows how to do what he so awesomely does for me during those times.  He just tells it to me the way it is...No if's and's or but's.

I'm pretty intuitive so I usually enjoy a peaceful calm within.  But, when I am out of whack the thing that sets me back on my feet is taking a solitary walk through the woods.  I'll find a big old rock next to the river, or a creek and just sit - let myself become a part of that rhythm for awhile.  I find it so reassuring and it helps to clear away the cobwebs -- regain my balance.

McKaren says ...

I'm pretty intuitive so I usually enjoy a peaceful calm within.  But, when I am out of whack the thing that sets me back on my feet is taking a solitary walk through the woods.  I'll find a big old rock next to the river, or a creek and just sit - let myself become a part of that rhythm for awhile.  I find it so reassuring and it helps to clear away the cobwebs -- regain my balance.

I used to live in the mountains in Colorado, and this was very much the thing I liked to do!  I would take a hike to places where most people couldn't go, and the peace is awesome.  All you could hear was the Platte River flowing timelessly.  It really does restore your balance.

Go for a nice long walk and talk to God.  Find a nice place to sit there or just walk around.  There's a great place here in Charleston called Magnolia Gardens once originally owned by a pastor.  He planted what is called a Biblical Garden.  Beautiful.  It has been said that he used to sit outside and right his sermons.  Can only imagine what they might have been back in those days.  When my husband and I were in New Jersey, we would take a vacation weekend every year to Gettysburg, PA.  Talk about beauty and many places to hike, bike, take horse back rides, especially in the fall.  It would just take the cares of life away and put things back into perspective.

I find that a nice walk along the beach helps.  The waves coming in and out around my feet just seem to pull the troubles right out of me.  It's seen me through some very traumatic times.  I may hit the beach walking fast, but after a couple of hours, it's down to a slow stroll.