Oscillation between two mind sets

Hey @creative_writer and @PizzaMondo 🙂

I hope you dont mind Im jumping in here?

I wondered if doing some courses online that are helpful for emotional wellbeing might be useful for you Creative_Writer, to get into a bit better headspace in preparation for a return to study? That is, if youre interested in that kind of thing, and have access (a computer, phone, earbuds, privacy)... The reason I thought Id mention it is because before I got back into study at uni I did a few courses that were available on managing emotions, regulating, and learning to 'feel' my window of tolerance. The classes were really sympathetic, and I found they were helpful in doing some inner self prep for the rigours of uni demands.

I hope you dont mind I mention it - all in the hope of providing you with choice and options 🙂

Yes, I think that the 'constant-alert' feeling or just below this is, what can then lead to worrying about things that aren't yet showing any evidence of happening, @PizzaMondo and @creative_writer , and having the ability to take a gentle step back to check in with oneself is a very valuable tool to have in the regulation/recovery internal toolkit 🙂 💜

I hope this is helpful for you Creative_Writer 🙂

Go gently today, and know we are here for you 🌺

Sorry @creative_writer - I missed your post in my gleeful printing frenzy 😉🌺

Yeah that sense of internal safety is truly a cornerstone to managing anxiety levels and I also think on how we can recover in terms of when heightened by perceived risk or worry about the future/uncertainly of some kind.
I also agree that without a sense of internal safety it’s more difficult to feel safe around others - I do remember feeling that way in the past too 💜🌺
You have us supporting you, so hopefully there’s a building sense of safety (or the potential to do so) amongst the forums here 🙂🌺🤗

No worries @creative_writer 🌺🙂 I hope it’s helpful

I’m not sure if this helps, but I tend to stand up and do some modified muscle relaxation..rolling shoulders, turning and nodding head slowly, elbow bends, wrist gentle shaking, and sway from one foot to the other, feeling weight shift through each leg, alternate knee bends (heel towards back), and alternate leg standing with ankle rotations, and this tends to bring my awareness back to body, like a little reconnecting reset. The entire time, I take a breath, and slowly release it while I do each movement.
hope it’s a bit helpful 🙂🌺

One thing I am very impressed with and want to gently say I am very proud of is the discussion with your PSW...thats taking the steps to support yourself in having the meaningful discussions which can help, @creative_writer xx 🙂

Im sorry these thoughts are happening regarding past SA, that sounds really difficult, and distracting.. however, you aren't alone.. I myself and Im sure others here too, have been in places like where you are at, regarding those thoughts... the reason I mention it is so you can see we are a bunch of peeps who are here to hear and listen, and hold space, and give you that cushion that says "Im not alone" to land on 🙂 💜

hashtag noblankstares 😊