Topic Tuesday // Self Care for Carers // Tues 20th July, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

[Hal1]

A nanna nap would be nice but I worry I am not available.

[Mindy911]

✨I feel you✨I feel so much guilt and so helpless that sometimes it really is hard to switch off✨If what im doing is not working and im not feeling any enjoyment in what im doing I try and distract myself with something else, like cleaning or talking about my feelings to a loved one

[Daisydreamer]

Excellent list of self care activities @Shaz51

[znp]

a) It's constant and front of mind as much as I can make it.
b) I build routines - morning: take meds, eat banana, make coffee, meditate, then complete my journal where I list:
1. something I will read or write that day
2. a self-care skill I will use (often CBT based but not always)
3. self-nurturing I will do - and this is important, even if it's just I will listen to my favourite song while I sit on couch
Then in evening, more journal:
1. what did I achieve today (made the bed!)
2. what did I learn today (how to draw dragons)
3. what can I improve (validating my family)
4. what can I plan for tomorrow (take dog to vet)
5. what skill or strategy can I use to cope (hug the dog mindfully)

[BPDSurvivor]

Hi Everyone,

Ive had to learn self-care. It's been very difficult because I'm so used to giving, not receiving. So when I do any thing for myself, I feel guilty.

Im still working on it.

@Hal1 @Daisydreamer @Mindy911 @Shaz51 @Emelia8 

[znp]

I also, usually enjoy running and writing as self-care.

[Shaz51]

[znp]

Being in this forum is actually helping too!

[BPDSurvivor]

As part of self-care, I schedule in self-care time. This includes physical exercise, eating and sleeping at regular times.

This helps a lot. I find when I disregard these things, my mind ends up scattered and everywhere.

[Shaz51]

it takes time @BPDSurvivor , it is a learning process my friend