@Former-Member wrote:OH GOSH hi there little fish, I didn't even see the little green guy !
That wave you posted is very big, I hope you are doing okay on it and it settles, how is it all going? ❤️
@Former-Member Still afloat...and it made me giggle that you didn't notice the large fish just under your tummy. Yes, I really am aspie with that obnoxious wonderful attention to detail that everyone loves makes people want to strangle me in the real world. 
Heya @Phoenix_Rising,
I'm here too! Ready to splash about in the waves with you if you're still around the Forums tonight.
Hi @CherryBomb, I came to report in to @Former-Member, @NikNik et al. that the waves had settled - as they always do...and here you are! Splashing around in calm waters with you sounds like fun. I will be around this evening...but only until 9pm...because that's my new forum curfew time...except on Fridays.
Hi @CherryBomb,
Turtles who play with fire, should expect to get burned - silly turtle! 
So..."the thing" that made my big feelings get big today was the stuff that I posted on the thread "hospital experiences." And so what did I just do? I went back to see what had been added to the thread since I posted. Derrrrrrrr!!!! No prizes for guessing how I feel now!
@CherryBomb, how can the public mental health system still be so awful in 2017??? Why hasn't it changed more in the twenty years since my first admission? How is there ever supposed to be a reduction in stigma when psychiatric patients ARE treated differently to patients in any other ward? People SHOULD be afraid of getting locked up in a psych ward...especially if they have BPD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to talk out what's in my head, but I think it is making the feelings bigger rather than less.
I don't experience flashbacks regarding the actual abuse stuff that was the genesis of my muddle - I experience flashbacks and intense trauma reactions regarding my experiences IN THE HOSPITAL!!!!!!! How is that ok??? If I could have found a you or a @Former-Member or a @NikNik way back then, I would be in such a different space by now. If I could have had someone sit with me in my big feelings rather than shame me for them, lock me in an isolation room for them, or forcibly medicate me for them, I would be in SUCH a different space.
And...now I'm crying...a lot...so it is just as well you have that snorkel on because if you keep sitting beside me, we may both be under water very soon.
Oh @Phoenix_Rising,
It's ok, I got a scuba diving pack too for really rough waters so I'm right here with you.
Yes, the mental health system has a long way too go. You're not alone with having a terrible and traumatic experience at a hospital.
Want to come explore under water with me while the waves thrash about? I'm also happy to get out my surfboard too if you want to ride the wave. 
@TheVorticon A random maze in the sand sounds very cool. Do you reckon you could line it with shells???
@CherryBomb...ok...yes, we could go and explore under water. I've never really done that because I have always surfed the waves (Marsha Linehan talks about letting the waves wash over you - it isn't an original image on my part ). However, @Former-Member saw some cool starfish while I was riding the giant waves earlier today so yes, I think an exploration of the deep may be a good idea. This is called ocean-themed distraction as opposed to ocean-themed sitting with the big feelings. Oh I could so re-write the entire DBT skills training manual to make it turtle-specific {Takes a big breath and dives under the waves to see what she can find...}.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.