Struggling

Hi @Dimity I joined a weekly class last week. It’s like a drop in sculpture class in the evening. It went really well. I do know however that it always starts well and then after a while I start to feel uncomfortable. Once that happens there’s not much chance of continuing .
I think I kind of understand how your feeling and I’m no longer the type to push through the pain.

Sounds interesting @perspective . Fingers crossed you'll continue to enjoy it. Yes I don't feel up to pushing back against the negativity (probably mine more than theirs).

Very cold here, expecting snow on the hills tomorrow.

Hello @Dimity it sounds like you made the right decision for you re: dropping your weekly class.

@perspectivesculpting can be very grounding in my experience. I hope you continue to enjoy it.

As for me, I had a bit of a blip yesterday and stayed in bed all day. Managed to drag myself up before lunch time today and completed a couple of administrative tasks. Trying not to beat myself up over my lack of motivation and direction. It's chilly with high winds here and a couple of trees came down overnight; thankfully not too close to the caravan. I'm hoping that the driveway stays clear and the wind dries it out so I can escape my confinement soon. Being stuck on the property is doing my head in!

Anyway, I hope you are doing okay and enjoying your fur babies. I'm planning on getting my horse back when my driveway becomes passable.

Take care,

RedHorse 🌹🐴

Hello @RedHorse I'm muddling along, glad of the heater and the cat's company. It sounds as though you've been stuck for a while. Would it help to put down some gravel, or can you leave the ute closer to the road? I'm a bit concerned as it looks as though La Nina will last for another couple of months. Getting your horse back would be fantastic so it would be good if you could bring it forward.

I have some family coming this weekend and am feeling a bit overwhelmed at the cleaning and tidying I need to do before they come. I seem to have forgotten how to cope. One step at a time.

@RedHorse We can only do what we can do, at any given time. Mental illness makes us tired, unmotivated, weak. But we don't have to stay in this mindset. If there are times you think about doing something, say, going for a walk, don't think about it, just put your shoes on and head out the door. Do that without thinking about anything else. Just keep saying to yourself, I am going for a walk, I am going for a walk. Until you are actually walking.

The trick for me, to turn off my anxiety and worries, is to stubbornly repeat something in my head, over and over again, so the negative thoughts can't take hold. So while I'm pulling on my shoes, the whole time I am repeating, I am going for a walk. The same applies to have a shower. If the thought enters my mind to have a shower, I repeat that thought, while I walk to the bathroom, turn on the shower, etc, until I'm physically in the shower, washing.

Of course, this doesn't always work. Sometime my negative thoughts are super strong, or I might be busy doing something else. But that's OK. Doing 1 or 2 things out of 5, is better than 0 things out of 5. And it's a start. From there, with practice, with consistency, I will achieve more and think less.

Thank you for sharing @utopia - what you have said is so powerful and so true!

Hi @Dimity and @utopia 🙋

Thanks for the tags, ideas, support and encouragement - I really appreciate it!

I'm sorry I didn't respond sooner but I've been in a bit of a bad way these past couple of weeks and this is the first time I've picked up my phone and checked in with the forum or anything online for that matter.

I started off with a worry room post and then decided to pop in here and say "Hi".

I'm feeling very overwhelmed after finding out that my brother and SIL will be stopping by at the end of the month for a visit. Sound familiar @Dimity?

Now the true and sorry state of my off grid living situation and myself will be revealed...

So far I haven't managed to do a single thing to clean things up!!!

I just don't think that I can do it to be honest. It's so cold and gloomy here and I'm spending all my time in bed bemoaning my circumstances.

I'm going to take my evening meds early tonight with some PRNs close by in case I awake in the early morning feeling extra anxious.

The plan is to do just ONE thing each day (today's is posting here) to improve my situation and mood.

Wish me luck Forum Friends.

I hope you are doing well and staying warm.

Take care,
RedHorse 🌹🐴

Evening @RedHorse,

Stopping by to wish you luck, but it sounds like you don't need a whole lot of lucky per say...you've clearly articulated a plan for taking it step by step, and I believe that's the best way to tackle any task that feels overwhelming!

You've got this, and we're all here to provide support and encouragement when you need 💜

Hugs my @RedHorse , and sitting with you my awesome friend xxx

The sense of peace the words "...sitting with you..." can bring me when I share my story in times of distress is truly amazing ☮️🤗