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Recovery Club

Self Care

Self Care

Hi Everyone, I'm really excited to see this forum getting off the ground and looking forward to "meeting" other people that are in the same zone as me.

After my last (3rd) breakdown I finally sought help and started listening to the advice I'd always given other people. I was working in disability and spent my days telling people to take time out for themselves but never took my own advice. Since my breakdown and subsequent diagnosis of bipolar I actually started practising what I preach. Ok I'm still my own worst enemy but I've learned to put my hand up and say no and back away. I'm a single mum, have older kids with disabilities and have recently started working fulltime again. The last 6 weeks have been shall we say interesting as my household adjusts.

Anyway I'm curious as to how other people look after their own wellbeing. Funnily enough one of my biggies is going to the pub. I know people tend to shrink back and scream self medicating, bad environment but it's not about alcohol. I started going 3 years ago after there was a call for volunteers to sell tickets fundraising for leaukemia. SInce then we've also raised $7,000 each for Beyond Blue and Black Dog.... for me it's about being somewhere and doing something. I've found a bunch of people who are just simply the best and when I've had a bad day they are there for me. Other than that I stick on my headphones to chill and my treat (now resinstated now I work fulltime!!!!) if going to a hair salon to be pampered.

Sometimes it's the tiny things. What do other people do?

34 replies

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Re: Self Care

I love the op shops- just as well, cos they are my price range

At the moment my anxiety is stopping me going tho- which is a good or bad idea..... not sure!!!

In response to: Self Care

Re: Self Care

Hi Kristin, I too have a diagnosis of bipolar (1) and keeping to routine sleep patterns is really important for me. I am a bit of a zealot when it comes to going to bed - around 11pm but the occasional late one when I'm out on the weekend. I'm always up around 8-8.30am and exercise is very important for me, especially as I'm on an antipsychotic and I watch my weight.

And I am travelling well now, have't had an episode in over a year and it's a real celebration for me. I had been having an episode a year for a very long time - decades.

Am looking forward to going on a week's holiday soon with my husband...please take care Kristin.

All the best,

Itwillbeok

In response to: Re: Self Care

Re: Self Care

Hi,

I love your username - it is a wonderful reminder to us all. This (crap) too will pass!

Well done for working at and extending the length of time being stable. That's a wonderful achievement! And certainly worth celebrating.

I think one of the things about suffering from mental illness is that things (even "simple" ones) can be terribly difficult to do/deal with/face. Yet once we have climbed a particular mountain it no longer has such momentous proportions when we look back. It can be so easy to dismiss what we achieve as "easy" in hindsight. Celebrating our steps, as well as our leaps, forward is very important. It can so often feel like a never-ending journey through a quagmire, especially if we don't stop to give ourselves a pat on the back for climbing those mountains.

Be well 🙂 (something a psychologist I saw years ago used to say at the end of every session - a good reminder of what I work towards)

Best regards,

Kristin

In response to: Self Care

Re: Self Care

I'm quite introverted and my main issue these days is social anxiety, so part of my self care is making sure I get enough time at home and enough time alone - sometimes it means careful scheduling, or giving myself more downtime if work has been particularly social heavy (team days etc).

Some of the most recharging things for me are pottering about in the garden, or watching 'chicken TV' in the backyard as I watch my chickens pottering about doing their own version of gardening. Chooks live so much in the present moment and are really calming and entertaining to watch.

I also have cats and being snuggled up under a pile of adoring litties is pretty darn good for what ails you.

In response to: Re: Self Care

Re: Self Care

I want some chook tv too! I get to hear chook tv as my neighbours have some but my dog, well she would try and eat them.
So I have chook stereo in the mornings and early evenings which is nearly as good😄

In response to: Re: Self Care

Re: Self Care

I wrote on another topic that I have a chook called lucky who wandered into my yard from the bush. She had a girlfriend but it got eaten by something. She survived so I call her lucky. She sits on my lap and lays an egg most days. She sometimes wanders inside but I try to stop her doing that because sometimes she can forget and do a poop. She knows who I am and runs up every morning to see me. I think she can talk but I havent learnt chook language yet. She makes my day.

In response to: Self Care

Re: Self Care

Hi JT,

good to meet you.. I've been taking care of myself for the past three years fairly well.....it's been an experience.
how you wrote about going to the pub read refreshing and happy. that you go there to help other people, selling raffle tickets"......it really is about the little things isn't it 🐵

do your children live with you?

I vizsit ahomeless centre, firstly because they were firstly advertising that they could help me with my ex husband. they didn't but I like having a coffee with some of the other people there. sometimes I give a flannel I've bought to someone or just sit there have a coffee and leave. there are some good friends who also go there like my neighbours who are very kind.

so, I try and do as much artwork as I can. also sewing and staying calm. Loud people, anger, loud noises....Even loud music makes me want to run away.
I really enjoy sewing little bits and pieces
I don't smoke, drink, use illegal substances.....I am on medication.on Thursday I'm seeing my GP about vitamin D that I learnt about on this forum.

Please write again,
I'm going to read what others have written now....

In response to: Self Care

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Allesandra, I like what you write. I've joined many groups but I seem to be identifying with this one, maybe because it's anonymous....I don't feel judged.

In response to: Self Care

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I am new to this self care and i like your comments i am struggling with myself today and have been searching for my balance and honesty i found your words truthful and interesting and comforting, thank you

In response to: Self Care

Re: Self Care

I really like your comments I want to improve myself and was complaining I have no friends to actually talk with, grow sounds interesting, thank you.
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