Connect with people who understand what you are going through,
seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're
free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
I'm making a nest because I'm not feeling very ok and I would like to have a place to retreat to while I ride it out. Everything is chaotic all around and inside me almost all of the time, and I need some time out from it. If I make a nest here I can carry it in my pocket and know it's there for me.
In this nest it's very cosy. There's lots of soft pillows and blankets. Some are made with bright colours, mostly greens, pinks and yellows, and some are made in much deeper shades of purples. The nest is egg shaped so it can be climbed into it but still be a hiding out place. There's lots of fairy lights strung around the nest. They're different shapes and some are warm yellow, some are cool white and some are multi-coloured. They can be adjusted to vary the amount and type of light inside. There's also music which can sometimes be heard throughout the whole nest and sometimes it's playing from the headphones that are always kept on the pile of cushions. There's a lava lamp as well, and squishy glitter balls to squeeze and roll in hands. There are an endless supply of soft creatures to hold or sit with. There's always flowers in the corner and this morning they are gerberas standing tall and proud, on a little wooden table. Next to the vase is a teapot, colourful and quirky, with a collection of teacups and mugs.
Right now I am sitting in a pile of cushions very still with my knees to my chest, my head on my knees and my arms wrapped around my legs. There's no music at the moment so it is very quiet. Only a couple of strings of lights are turned on and they're twinkling yellow balls, so it's very dark but there's still some light inside. I have a soft blanket around me. It's peaceful in here.
I have to sit here until I can work out what to do next. I'm surrounded by people but I don't remember feeling so alone. I feel scared of making any move right now because I don't know what the right move is, and I don't trust any direction. I'm hoping that if I can hold out like this for just a little bit longer I will know what to do.
Right now I don't want to talk but I don't want to feel so alone either, so I'm asking for someone to please come and sit quietly next to me until I can move from my ball or I am made to move from it. I don't know when that will be, but I know I can't stay like this forever.
That's good @Teej, that you don't dissociate, but sucks that your memory is poor. It's funny, no one tells you that when you get a mental illness how pervasive it is. How much of your life it affects. If it was just a down mood, I think it would be so much easier to cope. I think a lot of us are like that tbh. I know I must look bad when my psychiatrist writes down a summary of the appointment for me. Volunteering sounds really exciting, I'm excited for you. I hope it goes well and isn't too stressful.
In response to: I'm in a nest
TeejSenior Contributor
Re: I'm in a nest
I’m really sorry your parents aren’t more helpful for your mental health and learn with you @Former-Member. That must make it hard. I guess I’m lucky my son did agree to go although we did have a fight over it. My therapist then just rang my son and organised it with him because she could see the impact our dynamic was having on me.
Heres hoping you can house sit lots this year. 😊👍
In response to: Re: I'm in a nest
TeejSenior Contributor
Re: I'm in a nest
Thanks @Former-Member i hope it is ok too. I hope this year is better for you. Are you continuing your studies?
In response to: I'm in a nest
Unknown userMember
Re: I'm in a nest
Yes, but I'm hoping for at least a part time job. So I'll be a busy bunny. But that's a good thing I think.
In response to: Re: I'm in a nest
TeejSenior Contributor
Re: I'm in a nest
Yeah. I think it is too @Former-Member. I’m going to head off now I think. I hope tomorrow is ok at home for you. Take care 💜🤗
In response to: I'm in a nest
Unknown userMember
Re: I'm in a nest
Thank you Night @Teej.
In response to: I'm in a nest
CheerBearSenior Contributor
Re: I'm in a nest
Hi in the nest. I have an empty nest here at home tonight and the house is very quiet which is not feeling so great tonight. The break is nice but the rest is not so nice.
@Former-Member thank you for your tag earlier. It came at such a helpful time. Would love to hear from you if you're around, but understand if you're not/don't want to be right now. Hope you are as ok as you can be with things as they are 💚
Going to cuddle my cat, my blanket and my unicorn in a forum nest for a while.
In response to: Re: I'm in a nest
Unknown userMember
Re: I'm in a nest
Hi @CheerBear, I've got a hot kitty on my lap tonight. Stressing about stuff. How was your day?
In response to: I'm in a nest
CheerBearSenior Contributor
Re: I'm in a nest
Hey @Former-Member🙂
My day wasn't great but thanks for asking. I spent a most of it just lying on my bed doing not a lot of anything (except patting my cat). I annoyed myself today.
How about you? Stressing about the same kinds of stuff as last night or different things?
In response to: Re: I'm in a nest
Unknown userMember
Re: I'm in a nest
Oh, I'm sorry that it wasn't great. Hopefully it's just a one off. It was so hot here today, just write the day off and start again tomorrow? I'm stressing about slightly different stuff, mainly money, therapy and diagnoses. No one will really give me much of a diagnosis other than depression/schizoaffective. And it's really bugging me. And really worrying me. I'm just wrapping myself up in knots feeling 'not good enough' and that I'll never be good enough. And I can't justify my own existence. Why did you annoy yourself? Do you think you might be being hard on yourself? Petting a cat in bed all day sounds like a good mental health day to me.
We're improving how you access SANE services, starting with Forums
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.