Riding a wave

[CheerBear]

Good morning @Phoenix_Rising. It appears we have a blackout here again, but it also appears we are well practiced at finding each other in the dark.

I have to get some fish sorted but really wanted to reply and say that I will definitely be here through X and that I recognise how super super hard and super scary it might be for you.

I will be back later on with a proper reply about my schedule thoughts but yes I agree with all of the above too.

🙂

[Zoe7]

@Phoenix_Rising I am here but not here little turtle  Wanted to let you know that even when you don't see me I am hiding somewhere close by in the underwater cave - and sitting as close to you as is comfortable 

[Phoenix_Rising]

@Zoe7 I have superly duperly duperly superly missed you.

[CheerBear]

Hi again @Phoenix_Rising. And hi Zoe - it's great to see you 🙂

Posting a note on the DBT HQ whiteboard for if/when you want to read it.

Let's go with schedule 1 🙂 Everything in schedule 5 is covered in 1, but 1 has more interpersonal effectiveness stuff which sounds good. The difference in weeks seems to be made up with the review of mindfulness and the extra IE weeks (I like the sound of your proposed approach to the review bits also). It also makes sense that we follow a "standard" schedule. I also really like the idea of the "steps" vs "weeks" thing. We can take small or big steps or long or short ones, much easier than we can change the size of a week. Now we can also check off the plan to have a plan by today. 

Tangent ahead, but I thought it was interesting. I spent the early hours of the morning wandering around Google trying to work out where some of these schedules were developed and why. I came across a journal article by the clinical psychologist who designed schedule 5 (which it is named after). It was developed and then tested using RCT as a transdiagnostic treatment with "promising" results. I thought it was really cool to see how and why DBT skills can be effective for a number of different disorders/mh issues. 

Tiny hiccups, huge hiccups, sunshine, breezy weather or mega storms - I really think we can all muddle our way through this together but not. 

[Phoenix_Rising]

@CheerBear That all sounds super. Our plan to make a plan to make a plan has resulted in us coming up with a great plan.

Now...the only thing is, X is happening tomorrow morning. I have been in contact with the lovely @Former-Member and I know that I am going to be able to get a lot of support to move through this gigantic storm. I know it will be ok, but it means I am going to be a bit caught up in the storm for a while. I still have my marking gig to get through. That definitely isn't going to happen over the next few days, which means I will then be playing catchup later next week. Consequently, would you be ok with kick-starting the next bit of our adventure? If you can't, that's fine, we can just hit the pause button...but I know you are super busting exploding to start.

I definitely like the idea of steps rather than weeks. I'm not in any rush.

I love that you went exploring the evidence base for DBT. I had to do an assignment on it quite a few years ago. That's when I got super interested in DBT and bought the treatment and skills manuals.

I am super glad you and @Zoe7 are here even when you are not. I had hoped that X wouldn't happen until early next week, but alas it is not to be. The idea of it happening on a Friday with the weekend looming is less-than-desirable. I am so glad I can know you are here. And even if there is a blackout in Forum Land, you will still be here won't you. Between the ocean and the nest, we can find each another even in the dark can't we.

[CheerBear]

@Phoenix_Rising - I will do whatever you think is best for the adventure at the moment. We can put off starting it until you're ready - I'm sure I can find some more stuff to post here and there. But I can kick off too, though I'd like to do it together.

I'm so sorry about X. That's all I will say but I will listen if you want, when you want. I will be here even when I am not, and when you are not too.

Our finding each other in the dark skills are strong.

With you in a nest in a cave.

[Phoenix_Rising]

@CheerBear If you are in a space to kick off the next part of the adventure next week, I think that would be super. I will be in a space to actually start doing the doing with you, just not in a space to write the piece about doing the doing. So if you can do that, then that would be awesome. However, if for any reason you aren't in the space either, that's ok as well.

[CheerBear]

Let's stick with the plan to kick off next week then 🙂 I will work on the starting post over the next couple of days ready for Monday @Phoenix_Rising.

[Zoe7]

I seem to be permanently in 'the dark' @Phoenix_Rising so kinda getting used to finding people there  I am presently rotating between the Underwater Cave,The Fort/Tent in TOR and a world filled with darkness - so only a few places to look  The times I am in the darkness I will not be in forumland but you will know that even though I am not here that I am here 

I know how you feel about being around forumland on a weekend - and navigating your way around the baby mods - but if you stick to this thread with CB and me then there should not be any 'confusion' (and I have a feeling that the BM's may have learnt a valuable lesson lol) 

I definitely can't promise I will be visibly around over the weekend (or any day atm for that matter) but I will try to check in from time to time - maybe leave you some little presents  - and see how you are going - up to you little turtle - but with you even when I am not 

[Phoenix_Rising]

I feel utterly utterly alone on this eve of X. I know I CAN survive this, but the thought keeps crossing my mind of why do I want to. This is a catastrophic event in my world and even though you guys are THERE, nobody is HERE. I so very very badly wish there was somebody HERE.

@Former-Member