Topic Tuesday // Staying safe while supporting others // April 18, 7pm AEST

[Nevyn134]

@Former-Member I have a very, very similar issue. I feel like I have never really had the chance to learn self care.

[Phoenix_Rising]

@NikNik I have found it super helpful having the notification symbol now appearing on the laptop. I have turned off all my notifications except that I get the daily digest email which contains all the likes and tagged posts in it. I also turned off the "email me when someone replies" option. I usually don't even read the daily digest email, I just review all my notifications when I jump on the forums. This all means I tend to drift in and out of threads a bit (some of which have pages added by the time I next appear in Forum Land) but it also means I don't feel overwhelmed by what might be happening in Forum Land at any point.

[Zoe7]

@NikNik Should I share the self-care list here I sent to you?

[Heathcliff]

There seems to be two different conversations here (which is inevitable).  Some posts are about caring for people in an online forum, reading posts, liking posts, responding, or turning the computer off when you can't offer any more of yourself or your time, deciding whether you can commit to helping someone, etc

My situation is totally different. I live in 24/7 in my house. There is no getting away, no decisions about how or when to get involved.  It is all the time, never ending.  I wish there were a way of separating myself from the situation but there's just not.  When it's your loved one and they are relying on you - no matter how useless you might be or feel - there is no getting away.  Self-care, particularly by separating yourself mentally and physically, would be great but it's just not possible.

[NikNik]

That's okay @Former-Member ! That's what tonight is about!

[Odette]

Same here, @Former-Member, and I'm hoping I will learn some from other members here tonight.

But I think, really, it isn't that I don't know of any self-care ideas, it's just that I feel I don't have the time or don't deserve to take time out from other commitments and responsibilities to practice self-care.

[NikNik]

Yes @Zoe7 but maybe a bit later if that's okay. We will be looking at more specific tips / strategies a bit later too, is that okay?

[Spookytookims]

One observation I would like to submit here is I think carers role is harder than even suffering MI.  In that carers seem to be even more under supported than those suffering MI.

@NikNik

[Matt12]

live

[NikNik]

Thanks for highlighting that difference @Heathcliff
I hope some of the information tonight will be helpful for the situation you're in.