~ Toolshed 2: Power Tools for Recovery ~

@PeppyPatti my sweet, you are a beautiful soul ❤️

@Glisten I only knew because my sister sent me a text wishing me happy international women's day. Other than that I hadn't heard anything. But in saying that, I don't watch a lot of TV or the news.

@Mustang67 like you, I don’t ingest commercial media. Social media is equally rancid.

Thank you @Mustang67. I usually keep all pretty much to my thread to not dump it on anyone else.

I’ve gotten through this before but it has taken months and I haven’t been this low in a couple of years so it’s pretty rough going.

Im so glad that you made it through. It sounds like you know what is best for you and work towards it. My goal is to get there one day. The moments that I have that are semi stable I have learnt to see things differently and try to work towards keeping it that way but my bipolar doesn’t always agree! I have an amazing support team and I can’t sing the praises of my psych high enough. She has changed so much for me and we work together to enable the best possible outcomes in each moment.

Im glad you are able to work on the things you need to instead of just working on what can get you through. That is progress and you should be proud of yourself.

My son works in Bullsbrook. He’s a very nice person.
@Glisten @Jynx @Captain24 @Mustang67 @MissGremlin

@Captain24 thank you. And yes I am proud of the progress that I have made. It has taken a long time, but it's certainly not a race.

I am glad that you have a great support team in place. That is half the battle.

I used to always feel like I would take three steps forward and two steps back constantly. But in my book. That is still one step forward and I am happy with that.

You will get there Captain24, I have faith in you.

Hey @Mustang67

I hope you don't have too much to do with men who don't treat you with respect! I try not to let anyone treat me disrespectfully, male or female. It goes both ways though! Sometimes I say something, most times I walk away these days at those times!

I think it is hard for men as their role has just about become obsolete in the last sixty years! I can imagine how confusing it would be for a man to have to learn 'new' ways of thinking because we all had set roles to play 50 years ago. We're actually asked them to change their belief system.

I think it's good that men's mental health is becoming more known in Australia since the early 2000's. AI tells me it was started by a few friends who created Movember.

I don't have many men in my life for a reason but the couple I have let in have shown me that they can be trusted. To be encouraged and supported by a man to become the best version of myself is inspiring!

I'm very cautious about who I hang around with these days, because I'm protecting my mental health. I'm learning how to take care of me!

My girlfriends are all strong women who have been though a lot of traumas between us. Four of us celebrated International Women's Day the other day at a spa! It was so cool.

So, I acknowledge and honour the strength and courage of women, the progress made over the past fifty years (and those before me), celebrating the resilience, voices and achievements of women, while continuing to walk the path toward fairness and opportunity for all. 💜

I hope all is well over your way. Sending warm vibes and hippy hugs.

Thanks @MissGremlin

Thanks for the hippy hug. I am a bit teary at the moment, so the hug is appreciated.

Unfortunately I grew up in a household where my birth father abused my mother and my three major relationships were all abusive in one way or another.

But I have educated myself now, so I know why I attracted abusive males, and now know what to look for in the future. I have toughened up and no longer let anyone disrespect me. And I will tell them in no uncertain terms. I am sick of being a people pleaser who just ends up being a door mat. That behaviour from me, stopped about 3 years ago. And my daughter has been well versed in appropriate behaviour towards her. Unfortunately her father is not being very fatherly or an appropriate role model and has been reported by me to the police and by my doctor to child protection services. And just recently my daughter's school has reported him. So not sure what has come of that.

This is why I am so desperate to get a rental. As I want to get her out of that environment ASAP.

Hey @Mustang67

I am so sorry to hear about what you've gone through with abusive relationships. I want to acknowledge your strength, and I send you all my support and healing💓

You mention wanting to find a rental asap for you and your daughter. Have you heard of AskIzyy? Ask Izzy can help you find affordable housing or temporary accommodation.

A gentle reminder also that if you or her safety is ever at risk, you can call 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732, or 000 if there is immediate danger.

~ @Honeymoon