The Weekly Friday Feast

[Faith-and-Hope]

Hi @Angels333

I don't know Patch Adams ... but do you have an action plan for when you have been triggered by something ?  Glad you're on here talking to us .... I hope we can distract you and help you focus on something else ...

I saw some some dolphins today  - not these ones - but I find them so beautiful .... they remind of our German Shepherd, but with fins and a blowhole !!

[Angels333]

Oh @Former-Member me too, I thought it might cheer me up but it's very difficult now, my husband just left the room the air feels so thick as it was triggering

[Former-Member]

@Former-Member I just edited my last post too, added some because it wasn't long enough😝😜

[Faith-and-Hope]

Hi @Former-Member

Pls try to do something a little bit special for your birthday, like buy a small bunch of flowers for a vase, and maybe have coffee out somewhere with a crossword puzzle .... your kids will probably be upset that you are on your own too, and maybe feel a bit guilty too, even though it wasn't their choice or their fault.

That way when they come back you can tell them, "I did this and this for my birthday, but I still missed you .... !"  

It can give them a sense of security in the future that things can remain stable even when they don't work out the way we want them to .... 

Its just a suggestion.   You can ignore it if you want to.  My mum spent a lot of time alone, sick in bed, while she was growing up.  She used to tell me that you need to become a bit of a friend to yourself .... think of what a friend might do for another friend on their birthday, or any time when you're alone, and do that for you .... it teaches the kids how to do that too.  

It's not selfishness, it's self-nurture, and part of what kids need to learn.  They seem to learn it best when they see adults around them doing it too.

I hope that helps .... 

Thinking of you .......... 💐

[Angels333]

Hey @Former-Member

Happy Birthday to you my friend ♡♡

Everytime I receive a notification that you have commented on a thread I smile.

I can't be more grateful for the times you have encouraged me to push through on difficult days.

Big hugs (((♡)))

[Former-Member]

hi @Angels333 

the forums are so important for getting that bit of encouragement or support from each other, im so glad it's here.

Hi @Faith-and-Hope 

yes my lil girl was upset that she wouldnt be with me to celebrate my birthday, so they chose a new charm for my bracelet the other day and we had lunch. i'm having so many really dark thoughts at the moment, a lot of overly paranoid thoughts, some that seem realistic but contradict other thoughts. im so tired of fighting my head and everything else, my head is just telling me that everything is hopeless. 

lj

[Faith-and-Hope]

@Former-Member

My natural response to a busy, busy mind, particularly when the thoughts are not helpful in nature (!) is to respond with physical activity of some kind ....

Daylight hours when it's not brass-monkey weather - go for a walk, vacuum the house, make spitballs and fire them at a photo of someone who has annoyed you recently (nobody said you have to be mature about it !!)

Daylight hours when it is brass-monkey weather - cuddle up under a doona in the nearest thing to pyjamas you think you can get away with and watch a movie, or plug in head-phones with music that you have trouble keeping still for, and dance .... if anyone us watching, dance with a duster in your hand pretending at least that you're working.

Night-time hours - cuddly doona with a movie, or long hot shower and cup of tea, or phone a friend.

Just get busy with something that moves your body or your mind onto an out-of-your-own-head task, but try to be strict with yourself and make it not-negotiable to do so ....

Might help to have a go-to list like an action plan.

I hope something of this us helpful .... I know there's low motivation involved, but maybe you can put marbles in a jar every time you achieve pulling yourself out of the doldrums, then take your kids out to something special when the jar is full, do everybody gets a treat out of it ❣

[Former-Member]

I wish there was a *love* button @Faith-and-Hope! What beautiful ideas 

[Former-Member]

thank you, @Faith-and-Hope

you are so very correct and right, about moving and doing. my psychologist would probably like you lol i find it so hard to move, but i will try and do more

lj

[Faith-and-Hope]

❤️ = love button back at you @Former-Member .... 😊

@Former-Member ... you okay ?  

It's clear to me that you are an empath too ... maybe how to translate all your sensory intake is something you can ask your support team about .... there are likely to be combinations of different exercises that can build awareness, control, mindfulness, along with meds support for other aspects of your dynamic .... letting your support team into where they can help you is the critical thing, and you have done that now - so well done ❣

I have had to build a support team into my life to get through this current situation .... I don't like what my chances might have been if I were trying to go it alone ....