Sunday Coffee and Chat -- 23rd November 2025

@heartathome I’m very much like your son, I also don’t socialise with people and just mainly talk to my support worker. It’s just hard talking to others for me. So if I do decide to sign up for one of those upcoming Christmas events for next month then it’ll be my first time being at an event along with other participants as a group. I don’t guarantee that I’ll be able to get the best out of it even if I was to ‘try and socialise’ with them, even for a bit. It’s good that I’ll have a support worker with me though cause having someone really eases my anxiety when it comes to going to places and/or events where it involves other people in it. Sometimes I get the same support worker and some other times I may get a different support worker, depending.

Also, as I’ve been thinking and reflecting a lot about my life, I still compare my own life and myself to other people’s lives where they all (or moreso most of them) seem to have no issues with maintaining meaningful friendships and connections with people long-term and they seem to be out there living their best lives…

…yet despite the fact that I’m different, very much everyone that I’ve known.. most of them were just fake and toxic in the past. and for some others, I just couldn’t seem to get along well with mostly because what they were like (generally) didn’t meet my expectations.

It’s a sad reality that I have to live with…

I'm glad you've got a support worker to take you out @Blackcloud . It's brave of you to meet other people in a group! That would cause me anxiety! I get anxiety meeting people, but no one would know. I hide it well and come across as confident.

You said the majority of people seem 'to have no issues with maintaining meaningful friendships and connections'. I think most people relationships are complicated and need to be looked after to be successful. A lot of respect and compromise. I'm sorry you've met the fake and toxic people of the world. I think we all have. I've had a few toxic relationships. I even married one! I wasn't with him for that long before I realised, I was in DV. I didn't have any kids with him, thank goodness! The marriage only lasted 18 months! I hope you have a good day, Blackcloud!

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@heartathome wrote:

His younger brother passed a couple of weeks ago @AuntGlow He's got the viewing tomorrow. He's on the spectrum and is struggling with his family's grief. He doesn't cope very well when people are upset. We'll have a farewell on Thursday so my partner will stay with me until then. He's talking a lot about his brother and is happy with me. I'm doing well!

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Oh wow, this would have been so incredibly painful for him... I am really glad he has you right now. I can definitely hear that you support one another. 🥹 @heartathome

How are things today?

Hello @Blackcloud!

How has everything been going this week? Have you been volunteering/studying?

Things are very busy on my end - I am thinking I would like to balance out the busy with some time in nature around Christmas. 🫶

Helloooo! @lonemushroom

Long time no yap. 🙊

I completely understand what you mean about things always being chaotic! What's been keeping you so busy??

I am so glad to hear Recovery Club is helping you to feel supported and is a source of grounding for you - good on you for setting boundaries and allocating that time for your wellbeing. That's a definite win. 💖

My days been good @AuntGlow

We've got his brother's farewell (spreading of ashes) at a local beach tomorrow morning. It's going to be a hot one. 35 degrees, feeling like 42.

I get my bed back tomorrow night as he goes to his daughters before heading back to his place on Saturday. I'm happy about that as I do like my own space and my unit is very small!

I went to the doctors today and I have a clean bill of health. Not sure on lungs though. I've been vaping since it's early days.

Otherwise, I've been on the forum. I feel supported on here!

How's your day been? Are you okay? 💛

@REDLINEZ750 @Hello lovely. That’s wonderful you are moving and have a new job!

@AuntGlow hi, well I just dropped out of a bachelor degree that I started this July from - I dropped out of it last Friday and since tomorrow is the census date it's better I don't risk dropping out of it after especially if I know that I'm unable to do any of the assessments/assignments in any of the units. It was just getting too overwhelming for me with how full on the bachelor degree is so it's best that I don't continue on with it as it's just not worth the continuous stress and crashing out episodes.

I have volunteered at my current role since almost 2 weeks ago and I plan to have my next shift for it this weekend. 🙂

Also, I'm almost at the end of the IPS (intentional peer support) core training course that I'm doing at the moment 🙂 just 2 more classes/sessions left and then I'm done!

I do plan on doing the advanced IPS core training next, which will be on January.

I hope today goes well and that you are able to say a beautiful goodbye. @heartathome 💛

Having your own space for a bit sounds quite nice and regulating.

I am glad you are feeling well, yay!!

It's nice to know you are feeling supported here - I am glad you stayed despite how you were feeling. 🥰

I am doing well, thank you for asking. Just working my hospo job over the weekend and doing an essay I have been putting off... 😂

What will you do for yourself over the weekend? 🤩

Thank you for thinking of me @AuntGlow @REDLINEZ750 🤗

The sendoff was very special! I tagged you so I don't have to repeat myself. It's a detailed description of the day.

I came back, washed up, made the bed and even put the Christmas tree up! I have an Australian bush style tree with each decoration having a lot of meaning, some from over thirty years ago! The only reason they survived the flood was because they were on top of the tallest cupboard (out of the way). I'm grateful that I still have them! 💚

I haven't even thought about the weekend yet. I know I'm volunteering on Saturday morning and church on Sunday morning. Apart from that, I have nothing atm. Maybe catch up with a friend.

I'm really glad you're well Aunt! What's a hospo job. Hospital, hospitality? What's the essay you've been putting off? 💛