Re: Learning about Relationship Boundaries

@PeppiPatty Ours is a cheap no-name brand from one of the chain supermarkets but they were only available once I think. It doesn't do that great a job anyway, definitely not the best of them. I prefer the sponge mop too.

@PeppiPatty I just finished watching the TED talk. It was interesting and thought provoking. His words about loneliness giving rise to addiction especially resonated with me. I remember even as a child relating to that Beatles song 'Eleanor Rigby', which has the chorus, 'Ah, look at all the lonely people'. I felt it in myself and the people around me. My addictions don't seem to cause much harm to anyone but myself. But I may be wrong about this... something to explore with the psychologist perhaps.

Mazarita, I laughed when you commented on the Elanor Rigby song as it was the same for me. I also identified very much with the BeeGees I started a joke.

Come to think of it, I wonder if anyone in the Mental Health professional circles had done any research in music impact on the mentally ill?

I could and still can become ecstatic with certain music., and profoundly depressed with other types, I found Leonard Cohen in this group.

Hi @Neb,

I see that you've been awake again in the middle of the night. I've woken up super early this morning but with not much sleep at all. Interesting that you had that connection too with Eleanor Rigby. I also was very familiar with 'I Started A Joke' and related. At different times I have been ecstatic or morose with music but, for some reason, it's not as strong at this moment in time (could be related to meds or just the depressive symptoms I've had for a long time). I bet there is some research that has been done into music and mental illness. Hope you are asleep now and the cough is easing.

Glad you ladies continued to chat. I just got up had cheese and vegie sandwich and having a cuppa. I have a student for anhour and then to be picked up for choir tonight.

No shame about the lie in ... it just takes that long for my brain to settle enough.

I too enjoyed Eleanor Rigby as a child @Neb... first heard it when at the charity farm where I used to do the milking ... we werent really allowed to listen to non-classical at home ... All the Lonely People. Where do they come from.

I teach some Beatles and a few RocknRoll Nos ... to my kids if the words are great and the parents think they are "classics" ... not to the Indian and Chinese kids tho.

@Neb there are many people interested in the field you describe .. not just music therapists ... it is a growing area .. I was thinking of doing a Masters in it and went to Yoralla ... broke my heart ... what those kids go through ...

but realised ... needed to stay teaching to keep some sense of good home life for son ... I am a bit of a therapist in my teaching anyway ... ... people everywhere have their biases. It is just wonderful to hear what other professionals involved in music believe ... there is current research on it in Europe and America and courses and industry standards are developing.

The issue I have with J Hari is that he is seeking celebrity and a bit hypy .. there is only enough space in the world for so many celebrities but wouldnt it be nice if we all got the same positive attention ... when it is a limited resource people stoop to desperate measures to get the fame ... hmmmm ... others get in trouble and locked up in loony bins for wishing they were JC. Its not fair.

I think some of my typos are actually due to the keyboard being a bit old and wonky ... I try and fix them up ... sorry when I miss them

Didn't get to sleep until about 2.30am again and again suffering today for it. Just feel flattened energy-wise. But I still made it to the doctor today and the 'mental health care plan' for the psychologist is now sorted. I've been seeing my GP for about 7 years now. She is a lovely woman, smart and kind. I see the psychologist for the first time at the end of next week. He has a lot of experience with addiction. I'm feeling simultaneously scared and hopeful about the new therapist.

Going to visit my friend around the corner for take away dinner tonight, a ritual she and my partner and I have been enjoying at least weekly for many years. I met them both on the same day about 13 years ago shortly after I arrived in Queensland. They were already old friends. They both share one of the addictions that I am going to be addressing with the psychologist but I am the worst of the three of us with it. From their point of view, it's not a problem. It will be interesting to see how I go abstaining while they are partaking. This is the only way this withdrawal from addiction is going to work in my circumstances, so I'm going to need to be strong... wish me luck...

Good luck @Mazarita!!!

Well done for making it to your doctor today (glad to hear that she is lovely!), and also for taking the brave step of trying out a new psychologist - I hope he turns out to be a good fit for you! Feeling simultaneously scared and hopeful makes a lot of sense, good on you for giving it a go despite your mixed feelings. We'll be keen to hear how it goes!

Enjoy your take away tonight, how lovely to have that ritual with your partner and friend 🙂

Thanks for the encouragement, @Shimmer. It's much appreciated. Yes, it is a lovely easygoing ritual with friend and partner, I love them both. Hope your day and week is going well! 🙂