The me no one knows - SI warning

@Flutterbug9 re: supports and safe place other than forum

Sending hugs.

With the centre that is 40min away and no garuntee someone there.. can you call ahead?

I know i can do this with my local safe haven - which also has the risk of them being "at capacity" when i drop in. And is a 30-40min drive each way for me. Not ure if an option, but if it is it could be a way to check first and be assured that if you go they will have a person for you when you arrive.

How do you feel about online peer support/groups?

(Could be phone, video, zoom-without-video-or-voice-and-just-using-chat-if-desired...) 🤔

Just exploring options.

During my last appointment with my new psychologist they became aware last calendar year I was hardly leaving the house and that only regular thing I did was play croquet once a week.

I was given “casual challenge” which I agreed to seriously try. Wording something like “do you think you might find something else to do?”

that was about 5 weeks ago.

@tyme Following are some of the activities provided free where I live.

- afternoon trivia, once a mth (I went last mth)

- croquet every Wednesday morning (1st game played)

- lawn bowls lessons, each Saturday morning (I went today)

- Mexican trains (domino based team game), each Tuesday mid day (I’m planning on going next week)

considering going to Lawn Bowls game (watch and maybe play to try to learn) which is every Wednesday late afternoon.

things to get my out of the house, group interactions with new people, things to keep my mind occupied. All things I struggle with, generate panic attacks/unsettle me.

trying to do as much as I can to try to break the urge to continue to isolate, avoid unfamiliar settings, people and group gatherings.

need to get back to reading on regular basis. Currently part way through Little House on the Prairie books, found I was becoming engrossed in the book, imagining how things in the books looked.

have some fantasy series books I’m looking forward to reading. One series at a time though

I think there’s some rebellious spirit within me, more tempered now than at other times in my life. Think the rebellious side of me links back to my Irish and Spanish ancestors.

Taking control of my life, a life I had no control over for a long, long time. Thats me @tyme

Wow! How busy! It's a lot! But good on you for fighting the urge to isolate and booking these social activities to get out a bit. It can be draining, but then you have to consider: If you don't go, then it can be more than just draining... @Flutterbug9

I hear what you mean by your rebellious side. For me, I think my rebellious side came out as a consequence of trauma to be honest. Had to deal with things that children don't normally have to I guess.

Oh, so you're into fantasy? Now that's one genre that I find hard to like - bar Harry Potter...

You inspire me @Flutterbug9 🙂

Book series - wheel of time.

theres part of me @tyme @that feels like im a child who never got to grow up. A child who’s about 11 yo. A child who always had a vivid imagination

It reminds me of the Percy Jackson series @Flutterbug9 I tried reading them, but after the first few, I got bored. Greek mythology went over my head.

Let me know how that series goes.

Have you read all the Harry Potter books? I was so drawn in by them. Then I tried reading Nevermoor that is supposedly so good - I couldn't read it....

@AlwaysMyself

My paternal grandfather was a strict person who believed always doing things his way, that his way was the only and “correct” way. He and I hardly ever saw eye to eye on things. My mum was fairly sure I started verbally standing up to him before I started school ie before I was 4yo.

my dad and his brother were total opposite to their father. Remember neighbours children, relatives children older than me plus my dads work mates saying about his relaxed, easy going nature.

my mum used to say about the patient nature of her dad. 6 children, 9 or 10yrs difference between eldest and youngest. 1940’s Apparently he would warn x number of times first. After that would slowly unbuckle his belt with each warning. Children all learnt they would only be smacked if his belt was fully unbuckled.

my mum was victim of DV at hands of a younger brother when she was late teens/early 20’s.

all of that plus both being mid to late 30’s when I was born I think all combined to choosing to discipline the way they did.

age appropriate things just cos…. Yes, from as young as I can remember and before that.
first pet when a toddler, pet bantam as I wanted one

pets always as I wanted to have one. Pet rabbit at 2 different times. Cats, dog. Time spent together showing me to do things. Ie gardening, feeding the rosellas, knowing which sunflower seeds best to pick. Car trips to local bay, going out on the bay with my dad. Car trips and overnight stays lots of different places. My dad trying to teach me to swim and not fear water, teaching me how to balance on a scooter, trying to teach me how to ride a bike. My dad letting me help him sort and deliver mail to residences that didn’t get mail delivered by normal mail delivery (was known as Road Side Delivery)

Apart room set up, only thing I remember happening that wasn’t age appropriate was 3 of us sitting on couch, horror movie on TV, me mid primary at the oldest (used to give me nightmares)

I can’t get into Harry Potter Books @tyme

my husband really enjoyed and had all the Percy Jackson books and others in similar theme.

i enjoyed reading series 39 clues and had all the books. Somehow no longer have one book. Need to remember to eBay search to find one.

I book some “blind books” at a market couple years ago. Books that were wrapped in brown paper with small intro about the book printed and stuck on the paper. One I enjoyed the most was naval based story, story based on true story on board a submarine. Tried to find more books by same author, due to years of publication I’ve had zero luck finding them in library, kindle or anywhere online. Was suggested to go to one specific bookstore in Melbourne CBD, not happening

We defo have different tastes when it comes to reading then 🙂 @Flutterbug9

I don't know why I was so drawn to Harry Potter.

There are always new Percy Jackson books coming out...

I like realistic fiction too..

@tyme

Life would be boring and very restrictive for authors and movie producers if everyone liked exactly the same thing 😊

I find things need to grab my interest fairly quickly to keep my reading/watching

Thanks @tyme @AlwaysMyself for suggesting to continue to pursue support group/s.

google search has given me address of different support group. Downside, is in CBD area with very, very limited parking nearby.

One day next week I’ll be close by due to getting couple things done on my car. Will drop in and talk to someone. Website mentions possible of organised onsite group chats to talk about anything with peers. That would be good, if available.

is in area I hardly ever go near. Location doesn’t worry me though if is beneficial for me

@AlwaysMyself When I spiral at night, driving is not safe option for me. I know that. I’ve come very close to making unsafe decisions at night xx times last few years.

im safe. Getting tired, few hours outdoors in the sun catching up with me