Bed

@R4012
Start with step one :
You've mentioned that you're aware that you give in to your symptoms. If I were doing the same thing I would also have to adnit that I was allowing myself to be the victim role. You can change this but you will need to be strict and very tough on yourself.

The title of this thread is Bed. Let's start there. Set an alarm to get up at say 6am. Place your alarm clock far enough away that you have to get up to turn it off. Now the hard part is to stop yourself from rolling back to bed so stay up. Plan a simple and easily achievable routine to follow when you're up.

Let's say you decide to make a cuppa and sit outside. Use that time outside as me with myself time. Observe the sky, the dew on the grass, the trees and leaves around you, the sounds of the world around you rising to the challenge of a new day.
Step 2. Don't go back to bed. Listen to the radio, watch morning TV etc.
Keep doing this every day until it starts to become a pattern.

If you can follow these suggestions until they're a habit. One you can continue.

Above all throw away the victim mentality and know that you can beat these symptoms one step and one day at a time.

Warning: This won't be easy but know and believe you CAN win this battle.
Hugzzz 🎶

Thank you Kurra,

I needed to hear this.

I am awake early to take the dog out for a wee, get the kids to school. I often go back to bed. Watch sbs or ABC catchup or listen to the radio until I fall asleep again.

I have a list I want to do (one step at a time). I tend to have many false starts. I do keep trying. It's so hard some days. So easy other days. I do t want to miss out on life. I am a positive upbeat person with high energy. Bipolar pounces on me at times ripping the floor out from underneath me.

I am working on stability with medication. I've had a few stumbles with this ... Long story. I am engaged & dedicated to taking medication. It keeps me well.

Your msg inspired me to share my plan. I want to do this but keep stumbling. I struggle a lot with consistency.

Step 1 will be not to go back to bed. Make bed when I wake up.

My mood currently is fluctuating. When my energy is high I am productive, on top of house work, groceries, cooking dinner, walking my dog, going to the dog park, doing after school pick ups and activities.

I am not consistent. When I am low or anxious I give in. I go to bed. I do nothing. I pick kids up from school, do activity drop offs but don't cook dinner. My partner will do it when he is home. When really bad I go to bed at dinner time.

Step 2 will be not giving into my low energy mood. This will be extremely difficult for me. I guess I need to commit to going through the motions. Engage in family activities.

Socially I don't see any friends anymore. They are still there however I've really liked being alone & not seeing people.

Step 3 see a friend for cuppa brunch walk every couple of weeks

Step 4 continue to go to oldest daughters place weekly & spend time with my 3 grandkids. Sleep over once per week.

Nutrition is important to me. I eat badly when down.

Step 5 plan meals. Eat to fuel my body with nutritious nourishing food.

Exercise

Step 6: walk my dog every morning.
Ride my bike every day
Start yoga classes around the corner mon & wed.

Step 7 keep on top of house work daily. Washing, kitchen, floors. I am fortunate enough to have a cleaner come in fortnightly so my contribution is achievable

Step 8 tackle some home projects like messy pantry & kitchen draws. Wardrobe. Daughter room. I did my sons the other week.

Step 9 get sunshine every day

Step 10 get some private swimming lessons which will enable me to do laps at the pool which is a 5 min walk up the road.

Step 11 take up ice skating lessons

Step 12 do some horse riding lessons

Step 13 go to tassie for Christmas with family/ Inlaws live in tassie.

Step 14 go to Utah to ski with family in Jan. I can't ski. I've tried a few times in the last year. My family want me to try again. My partner gets me private lessons & ive struggled. I am 18 kilo lighter & have time to get fit. I am very unsure.

Step 15 go with family to farmstay this weekend. Partner is a pilot (for fun) so bravly get in single engine 4 seater tiny plane again. I've done this a lot & always get anticiporty anxiety & when 8,000 feet in the air among the clouds I love it.

I live on an ocean waterfront. I am aware how lucky I am. I love walking/ riding my bike with my little dog in the basket along the water front.

I have no pressure to work. (Although want to get back to my career) My partner gives me everything I need. Life has not always been like this for me. I know I am blessed. I am grateful. I am also riddled with guilt. I have FOMO - fear of missing out because I give in due to discomfort, anxiety, fear, sensory overload, fear of panic attack. Fear of being somewhere I can't leave. There have been times I've been so unwell I've not been able to move. When this happens in a public place it's excruciating.

I give in because I find it hard to overcome very painful symptoms. I made an attempt on my life last year resulting in an emergency admission. I try to conserve my energy to cope. Clearly that's not working for me.

Thank you kurra for getting me thinking.
Higgs right back at ya 😊

You've got some mighty big steps in there @R4012!
I'd suggest you break each step into smaller components.
Hey you know Rome wasn't built in a day but I'll tell you it can be totally obliterated in less than a day!

Love your first step. Now do it. Really resist the temptation to give in. You can do it but you'd be wise to consider being very strict with yourself, stubborn and determined to succeed.

I didn't say this would be easy. Suggest you get that sunshine early. Make a cuppa after you've got up and sit in the sun to drink it. Hey presto! Two steps have already been achieved.

Have courage and get started. You want to do this and I believe you have the courage and strength to do so.

Have a gently active day out of bed. It will make you feel a bit better when you look back at your day tonight. 🎶💕