Not Coping

Gosh lots of different things I love trying new food when going out and stuff, but at home I might have stir fry, lasagna or any pasta dish, fried rice, risotto, ribs, meat and three veg type of meal, roast meat, salad, tacos and probably a lot more than I can think of right now @creative_writer

Of course that's okay @Birdofparadise8 . What's your emotional brain saying tonight? Is it compartmentalising or is it catastrophising?

I would say catastrophising just contemplating life and why I am here so fun @tyme

True @Birdofparadise8 . After all, the sun is going/has gone down. This is the time our brains go on high alert. Hence the catastrophising.

Sometimes it's okay to think about why you are here. Other times, distraction is better. Have you found that sometimes, thinks are amplified in the evening, but in the morning, they seem so much less....ummm... what's the word? less pervasive?

At this time, do you think going through your thoughts together are more helpful, or do you think a distraction?

Oh, did I every finish answering your questions about my change-of-career path story?

Yeah night time is the worst, but really anytime I’m not working is because when I’m at work and it’s busy I am distracted.

But thinking about not being here is not really a good think to keep thinking about though.

No I don’t think you did do you remember what you got up to @tyme

@Birdofparadise8 , well, for me, as much as I don't like chem and physics, I found it so helpful to understand the chemistry of the brain. It helped me to understand why we go into catatrophising mode in the evenings. Hence, I've been able to be more proactive about it.

In the past, I used to hang out on the forums so the chatting would protect me from doing hurtful things. As a teacher, I'm always used to helping people. That's what I thrive on. On the forums, as a Community Guide, I was able to help other people, and that helped me 'recover'.

When I found the Community Guide work so valuable in my own recovery, I looked for opportunities to get peer work. Oh, and I've also had peer workers in my won recovery - I found the lived experience help so much more useful than other supports. I had coffee, did craft, went for walks with my peer worker - it was sooooo helpful.

So long story short, I was only working part time as a teacher. I then applied for a peer work role, was interviewed, and given a job! I haven't looked back whatsoever.

It is so rewarding to be able to use my own MH lived experience to engender hope in others. I don't think my recovery was a mistake. If anything, I owe it to the community to give back - all those hours i've had in therapy will not go to waste.

So yeah, that's how I moved from education to peer work - it's still about helping people.

Do you need a qualification or anything to do peer work, but that sounds so cool good on you for doing something your passionate about @tyme

I was trained on the job @Birdofparadise8 . Of course it's better to have the qualification first, but in my case, my experience was my qualification.

After, I was trained in peer work, and I remember clearly one extract: "Your experience makes you the expert." Oh, but I do have a degree in psychological sciences... but that was not what I used to get into peer work.

It's an expanding and much needed industry. I've seen short fast-track courses to take only 6 days to complete!

Look into it if you are interested. Something to have in mind. Doesn't mean you'll make a dramatic change now, but i guess it's good to have options 🙂

Also, I hope you feel a little better.

Please remind me to continue this conversation when I'm on next (later this week). I'll tag you when I'm online as I'm shortly logging off.

I really appreciate being able to connect with you.

hugs, tyme

Okay all good well have a good sleep and talk to you later @tyme

I hope my week goes okay but who knows what will happen.

I’ve really liked getting to know you as well. Thank you for your support.