Battles

@Shaz51 it's not hot here as such but I'm worked up and cleaning so I've had to put the aircon on to keep cool.

so I've had to put the aircon on to keep cool.---- cool idea @MissGremlin 😎

@NightFury @rav3n @AuntGlow @Shaz51 I'm struggling to self regulate and everything just feels like it's building up to a point of bubbling over the edge. All my coping strategies seem to have gone out the window. I'm cleaning to keep busy but my heart is pounding and keeps skipping a beat. (I'm safe just really overwhelmed).

I have Jynx's voice in my head... @MissGremlin it's about the breath.

Have you tried box breathing before?

Count to four while breathing in, hold it for four, release for four, hold for four. Breathe in for four, hold it for four, release for four, hold for four...

And sometimes it helps me to actually picture drawing a square in my mind as I do it.

And keep going for four rounds.

@Shaz51 @MissGremlin here's the burnt toast theory explained by google:

If you burn your toast in the morning, the time you spend making another toast may have saved you from a car accident; or make you late to a meeting but you meet someone on the way that will become special in your life.

The Burnt Toast Theory is suggests thatannoying setbacks (like burning toast) happen for a reason, potentially saving you from something worse, or leading to a positive outcome. It's a way to reframe negativity, viewing minor inconveniences as nudges from the universe to change direction or as protection, encouraging optimism without ignoring the frustration of the moment

in the moment the bad things happen, this theory does not come to mine haha. but later on, i just tell myself it was potentially protecting me from something worse and it helps me at times.

@NightFury i have tried but struggle to get them to work but i will give it a go.

Thankyou ❤️

@MissGremlin just read your post now (feel free to ignore the burnt toast theory!!!)

i like what @NightFury suggested, let us know how you go. i'm also going to practice it with you now.

if these thoughts/feelings do escalate, do you have someone you can call or reach out to? (whether it's a crisis line, GP, friend, etc)

you're not alone 💙

@rav3ni have heard of it but didn't know it by name. But yes in the moment I forget it too.

Oh I'm trying so hard to catch them before they escalate. I missed an important phone call today from a service that my doctor referred me to yesterday but I couldn't answer it cos the lady that rang me didn't speak English very well and I struggled to understand her which was only making my anxiety worse 😞. Like it's hard enough to talk about what's going on without having a language barrier and I truly don't mean that in a rude way.

I don't really have anyone to reach out to hence why I'm just trying to stay connected here and not feeling particularly great about the crisis service at the moment after an experience yesterday.

@MissGremlin i know what you mean!! i've had a few phone calls like that too, and it can be frustrating not being able to receive the support you need because of something that's not in your control. is it possible to request another callback with a different person?

i hope connecting here helps 💙

i am heading off soon (and i'll be back at the end of Jan 2026) - take care and i have my fingers crossed that things will get better for you.

@MissGremlin @NightFury @Cuddlebear @Chasingsunsets @AlwaysMyself @Shaz51 hope you all have a restful break, look forward to catching up with you all in the new year. 💖

Have a safe and restful break @rav3n