~ Toolshed 2: Power Tools for Recovery ~

@MissGremlin @Blackcloud hello lovely friends so good to see you both here 💗 sitting with you both and sending hugs

@MissGremlin hey dreamy, hope you feel better soon.

Hello @lonemushroom, thankyou ❤️.

How are you going?

Hello sweet @Meowmy, thankyou ❤️.

Hope you are going well ❤️

Thank you @MissGremlin too my friend. I suddenly have been getting some flashbacks regarding a certain someone that ruined my life and friendships in primary school

i hate to think about it whenever these flashbacks come along. I don’t really want to share specific info on what has lead to me on having them, I just wish I was able to move out of Melbourne to another state (IF only my mum had let me haha)… because so many people I went to school with are obviously in this state and I hate it whenever I get certain flashbacks on those types of people

(I’m so sorry I thought I already posted this, but turns out it was still sitting here after i dozed off for a bit lol)

Thanks so much @lonemushroom I needed that hug 🫂❤️

@Blackcloud that sounds really tough having those flashbacks sweet. I have flashbacks of many events so I know how hard it can be.

You don't have to share anything you're not comfortable with. I hear you sweet, it can be so hard living in the same state as those people. I often cross paths with some people from my life that have hurt me and it's never a nice thing. I hope you've got some ways to help manage those flashbacks and do some things for self care sweet ❤️.

That's totally ok, hope you enjoyed your little snooze.

@MissGremlin actually, now I do wanna share on what has led me to have those flashbacks haha 😄

so I grew up in a suburb where I’ve been living in a social housing with my parents before I moved out in October last year. The majority of the people I went to primary school with are all based in that specific suburb and all the surrounding social housing areas within.

last year I applied for a social or community housing and currently on the waiting list for it & my mum wants me to select locations that are the same suburb (and any other surrounding suburbs) as my parents themselves live at, so I’ve done that…

And so I guess thinking about the possibility of seeing some people I went to school with in the past again (including this girl that was obsessed with me aka ruined my life. however I barely see her which is good cause the last time I saw her was probably 5 years ago) by the time I’ll be moving to a social or community housing apartment will of course give me flashbacks & I would have to put up with it all 😕

@Blackcloud oh sweet, i hear you. That really does sound so tough and I can understand why it would be triggering flashbacks.

Have you thought about chatting to your counsellor about this and exploring some options that may help to lessen the worry of it all.

Sending you gentle hugs sweet ❤️

@Blackcloud I’m so genuinely sorry you’ve been dealing with those flashbacks like that, they can truly be so distressing 😞

I can definitely relate to the feeling of being stuck in a place you’ve been familiar with for so long that you have flashbacks associated with people from your past, I really can. I can’t imagine what it must be like for you to go through it on top of all your usual commitments and stresses that you navigate too!

Do any grounding techniques help you at all? I know everyone’s different with them. I had a lovely peer support worker a while back recommend looking up anything like that but with “neurodivergent friendly” included. I haven’t done that yet myself because of the way I struggle with putting things off or forgetting to do things thanks to my ADHD but maybe there’s something helpful out there. It might not stop the flashbacks entirely and they can be hard to remember in the moment, but sometimes those grounding techniques I hear people talk about can help make the flashbacks just that little less intense, even if it’s by a little bit.

I’m sitting with you though ❤️ it can’t be easy at all

@MissGremlin to be honest I’ve also not been having a great day, lots of triggers coming up for me constantly lately and feeling pretty shaky and shattered. I’ve been trying to remember some techniques that my therapist and I have been working on, but it’s been hard in the moment at times. the nervous shaking is getting to me the most right now, can’t seem to be able to do much to get it under control. I’m pulling out all the self care tools wherever and whenever I can though as I really need to. haven’t left the house much this year but I’m trying to save up spoons in case I’m well enough to go and see extended family over Christmas, though it’s not looking likely I’d still like to at least try so I’m just gonna try to look after myself as much as I can and not put too much pressure on anything. it’s been a horrible year so I don’t expect its ending to be perfect lol

@MissGremlin how have you been? sorry I haven’t chatted to you for a while life has been so busy ❤️