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creative_writerSenior Contributor
Why can’t I pretend the pain isn’t real, maybe if I tell myself I’m okay and I don’t struggle with mental health I’ll be okay. Maybe if I tell myself that the traumatic memories aren’t real, then I can finally feel whole and less gross. Maybe I’ll just wake up from this dream soon and I’ll find peace within my mind when I do wake up. Maybe I’m okay, maybe there isn’t anything wrong with me
In response to: Don’t want to accept the pain
creative_writerSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Don’t want to accept the pain
creative_writerSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Don’t want to accept the pain
creative_writerSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Don’t want to accept the pain
JynxModerator
I think that was a huge part of my self-loathing tbh @creative_writer - this idea I didn't deserve to feel like I did cos I had so much provided for me growing up (in terms of all my physical needs being met, as well as stuff like going on holidays and such). Is that the kind of vibe you're talking about?
In response to: Re: Don’t want to accept the pain
creative_writerSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Don’t want to accept the pain
JynxModerator
@creative_writer can understand how it might seem to 'put things into perspective' but everyone's experiences of their own trauma are gonna be different. Guilt tripping ourselves over not coping with the crap we've been served just cos we see that other people got a plate of crap that looks (BUT isn't necessarily actually) worse than ours isn't going to make the plate any easier to deal with.
It's definitely okay to take inspiration from the journey of people who have survived incredibly difficult things, and to try to see our problems as surmountable. I reckon telling yourself you ought to be doing better just because other people are going through horrible things is pretty unlikely gonna make your road easier to walk. Your struggles are just as valid as theirs.
In response to: Re: Don’t want to accept the pain
creative_writerSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Don’t want to accept the pain
JynxModerator
@creative_writer Mm it's tricky - we're wired to sorta... believe stuff to be true when we hear it enough. So if, in your current environment (overall, not just your physical home but your socio-cultural context as well) you are not hearing anything supportive or that is in opposition to those things, it's really hard not to internalise it.
Legit, as corny and uncomfortable as it is, what helped me a lot with this is talking to myself out-loud in the mirror. Because even though it's just me, saying stuff out loud makes it more real in my brain.
In response to: Re: Don’t want to accept the pain
creative_writerSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Don’t want to accept the pain
JynxModerator
@creative_writer yeah it absolutely would hey, cos you're only really getting 'one side of the story' i.e. the side that doesn't align with you or your values... but becomes harder and harder to ignore when you don't experience anything to the contrary.
Not maybe - definitely!! Affirmations are most effective when used frequently and consistently, because of exactly the same reasons - it is the repetition and the out-loud that helps most, as far as I've experienced!
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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.
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