Celebrating all the (little) good things that happen 😊

Sounds fabulous @Former-Member. Well done. That news has bought a smile to my face. 💜🤗😁

Hello @Former-Member,

Oh that is wonderful news, enjoy your first day back! That will be nice to finally get some income 🙂

Long distance bushwalking sounds amazing, I'd also love to do more of that this year and especially with friends! How long are you thinking? I have never done anything overnight but it sounds like so much fun, you just have to be very prepared!

Lunar 🙂

So sweet @Former-Member! I've been in my relationship so long that I love reminders of the early stuff. It's all so agonising and charged with feeling. You won't believe me but it's likely that you'll miss it one day. A long-term relationship can be a lovely thing but charged with feeling it ain't!

If you do find yourself willing to give things a shot, just make sure you make lots of eye contact. If you're lucky there'll be no need for words. Good luck either way 🙂

Many of us are terrified at the thought of a relationship @Former-Member. I didn't have my first serious relationship until I was in my early 30's and it was mostly fear that kept me dabbling at the edges before then. The motivation I needed to push through the fear was realising that I wanted to be a mother. So I went searching, found a good one and pushed through the fear. There may have been alcohol involved 🙂

It can still happen D. But not without courage.

You're right - I didn't understand the whole picture @Former-Member but it's good that you do and have such a clear understanding of the barriers. This means you can start working towards healing - to feeling feel safe enough to allow yourself to be open and vulnerable one day.

That's a great idea - take your phone to your next session and let your therapist read your story. There'll be no judgement. Just a chance to do the deeper work needed. Do you think you can?

@Former-MemberGosh, I don't even have a therapist.

My doctor in hospital recommended getting one, but my regular psychiatrist hasn't mentioned it to me and I haven't felt comfortable to bring it up. (I'm not good at admitting things I need help for and being vulnerable. I'm also terrified of what she will say - that I'm a worthless person who's broken and will never be 'normal'.)

But I do want a therapist and that is the reason why.

Someone on another thread suggested to me writing stuff out and handing it over. I did that in hospital and it was very awkward. I'm not sure I'll do it again.

Why am I such a crap, useless. worthless human being? What's wrong with me? Why do I have these problems and why not other people? Pleanty of people have been through my experiences and don't have problems.