Share your story - What strengthened your SEWB?

I'm in my 50s now. As a young girl, struggling with mental illness, poverty & addiction, I wasn't caring for my body & mind.. In reality it's one, we make a false dichotomy. 

I got into recovery & became a yoga teacher. My illness prevents me from doing a lot of teaching of others, but privately, I practice daily.  During practice I remember the words of my yogi, "awareness to the here & now"!

• I enjoy online yoga classes via YouTube too. I create ritual by lighting candles, incense & maybe picking flowers. Nature & animals are part of my healing too. Respect to all making their way & thanks for sharing.

I’m in my 40’s and have a diagnosis of bipolar 2 and 2 weeks ago I was diagnosed with AuDHD. I’m discovering that my new diagnosis fits me really well. It explains so much with so much understanding of myself and now I can work on it. 

Working through trying to recover and get myself to a place where I can handle day to day life. Set myself up with a routine that manages the organisation that I need to calm my mind.

For me what helps to regulate is sitting in the sun and reading. It gives me a sense of being outdoors and connecting with nature. I spend a lot of time with my dogs which gives me some connection. I also do a lot of Lego which helps keep me distracted and some focus. As the weather warms up and I feel more calmer in the summer I may get back into my other hobbies. I want to get back into resin and mosaic. 

I do like to get out into nature and walk my dogs but recently I haven’t had the energy or motivation with it being cold. Most recently I’ve been sitting and watching movies which I’ve enjoyed and feeling the emotions from them. I’m allowing my emotions to come through. I think that that is part of my healing. 

During the warmer months I would like to be able to work harder on recovery as it’s already improving. I’m have a lot more good days with having a little structure that I have self talked my way into. 

Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards from here. 

@Yuinblackduck73 that's amazing, i've heard that ochre paintings require a lot of skill. and it's so cool that you created a traditional skirt for your daughter too - i admire your creative talents!!

Thank you so much @rav3n I was lucky to have grown up with elders who taught me things and I still maintain those skills and knowledge and pass on my knowledge. My last ochre painting took me 10 weeks of grinding and mixing to create the painting

@Till23 @Lila3 @Captain24 @Yuinblackduck73  i'm definitely seeing a theme of nature (spending time outdoors, in the sun) and art in this thread! i love the variety of art too (yoga, resin, mosaic, ochre painting, weaving, etc.) - and it's interesting to see how art and nature overlap a lot too. appreciate you all sharing 💙

@Till23 wish you all the best with your sports comp, keen to hear how it goes ✨

@Yuinblackduck73 wow 10 weeks! having that knowledge and skill passed down from your elders is really special. is your daughter also interested in art like you?

Yarning & sharing stories is so important to continue culture & tradition.

Thanks heaps for sharing about your diagnostic journey. Figuring ourselves out is part of the puzzle. I know what you mean, winter to me is an indoors time. Summer ☀️ is more welcoming for time outside. @Captain24 

@Yuinblackduck73 you must be so proud of her, she's seems amazing! her passion towards helping others and building her community is so beautiful.

@Lila3 absolutely!!