Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
Unknown userMember
I thought I'd start a discussion where we can check in with members and use this space to keep in contact. It's a space to be able to say how you really feel and it's a space for the good, the bad and the ugly moments in our lives.
In response to: Just checking in.
MazaritaSenior Contributor
It's a relief to hear that your experience overnight has been less awful than expected, @CheerBear, and that what needs to be appearing, is happening this time. Sounds really dreadful what you went through last time. Natural that you would be feeling emotionally spent.
Yes, it was boys in woodwork and metalwork at the high school I went to, and girls in home economics and other girl-related stuff. I think the only thing I remember about home economics is how to make sandwiches so that the two slices of bread match up with each other's shape, as well as cutting on a diagonal. I still remember the lining up of the bread, but have taken to crossways cutting instead these days. Worthwhile learning, eh? 
I can imagine the kind of stress the typing classes might have given rise to at your school. Not sure I would have enjoyed actual classes in that subject, but enjoyed teaching myself.
Two hours is not great at all. It's like I am returning to my bad old habits of being up all night. Only difference being that I get a couple of hours sleep before doing it. Yesterday I was tired all day and had three naps, so not too extreme in total sleep. But all out of order. The ongoing sleep adventures of Maz continue to go wild! 
Art is on today but I won't make it today. Just feel like another day at home, and probably will need it, sleep-wise. I'll go to their end of year party though, which I think is next week.
What's on for you today? I hope it's a really gentle day for you, so you can take some recovery.
In response to: Re: Just checking in.
CheerBearSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Just checking in.
MazaritaSenior Contributor
Great that you can have a rest day, @CheerBear, sounds like a good one planned, even the relieving tears.
Yes, the sleep disruption here is that I again want to do stuff in the middle of the night, now that the video projects have started up again. Aside from excitement, I'm back into loving the night for its calm, clarity and focus - feels again like a good time for doing things that need my brain to shift up a gear or two. My psychiatrist will not be pleased!
You have had a huge couple of months, huge!!! It's a testament to your strength and relience that you are still standing.
In response to: Re: Just checking in.
CheerBearSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Just checking in.
MazaritaSenior Contributor
Be easy with yourself about what's happened if you can, @CheerBear. What was happening with loved ones at that time, with one of them living with you at a time of great stress for all, would have thrown your better judgement into some chaos. So much more likely for these things to happen at times like that. It's so understandable to me how it happened. We are human and have frailties, even without mental illness. More love to you for what you have been through this last part of the year. 
Still thinking here about what I'm going to do with this day. The deadline for the competition I'm judging just closed, so I'll probably get to watching some of the 40 or so remaining videos I still have to get through. That will probably be the main job for today, but will likely be doing work on other projects too. Needing to do stuff on the computer is also keeping me inside this week, as well as the hot weather. The new meds mix I'm now on has me overheating and sweating much more easily than before, and it was pretty bad even before now. Also I think aging is not helping with my ability to cope with the heat. Lots of excuses for staying inside a lot at the moment.
It's a bit funny to think of our psychiatrists shaking their heads at our news. Gotta laugh about these things when possible, otherwise we just cry. Humour about my craziness helps me quite a lot at times, I think.
In response to: Re: Just checking in.
CheerBearSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Just checking in.
MazaritaSenior Contributor
I have to deliver my adjudications in two weeks, @CheerBear. I have enjoyed watching the first 60 of them a lot. The project will be it done and dusted after this deadline I mentioned, until I get to early next year, when I'm going to write something for web publication about the experience of being the judge. Will mention in it a bunch of videos that haven't won the prizes, but which are great too. I have big plans for projects next year, not all of them my own videomaking, but related. 
I have a fairly black sense of humour sometimes. 'Gallows humour', I think it's called sometimes. Helps me keep some perspective and equanimity about some things. Agreed that the forum is great for how we can smile and laugh about stuff, despite the tough stuff.
I'm going to head offline now. Sending so many good vibes your way for today.
In response to: Re: Just checking in.
CheerBearSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Just checking in.
ethSenior Contributor
Sending lots of hugs and warm wishes @CheerBear
In response to: Re: Just checking in.
CheerBearSenior Contributor
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.
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
Fields marked * are required
