Anyone feel like chatting?

Good morning, everyone.

Good morning, @CheerBear. Thank you for the invitation to your nest. I was going to post there last night and changed my mind at the last minute and popped it in here instead. I struggle a lot with feeling like I’m intruding or turning up where I’m not wanted. (I’m working on challenging those feelings … well, when I’m not just avoiding situations where they arise.)

I’m okay, thank you. And yes, I do know what you mean. Thank you. Having lost someone in real life because people (professionals mostly) weren’t listening, I just know how easily things can go wrong.

I’m sorry you have a challenging week looming before you. I hope the seas turn out to calmer than they first appear (to borrow a little sea metaphor). I know you have plenty of friends here to listen, but I’ll be around too. Reach out for support if you need it. 🌷

Great choice with the flower, by the way. 😊 That agonising decision-making process sounds similar to the one that lead me to use the tulip. I’m not so good at all this online/emoji/internetty stuff (it makes me feel old!).

I hope today is smooth sailing/gentle breezes/[insert ‘things are okayish’ metaphor here] for everyone. 🌷

Hi everyone. I hope the day is being kind to you all. 🌷

Greetings, @CheerBear. My day is going okayish, thank you. It turns out the SMS reminder was a mistake. I’m glad because it means I can help a friend with an essay on Wednesday instead. I’m trying to make a psych appointment for next week.

It’s really sunny here too, but I’m not a fan at all. Because I have to live life in long sleeves and long pants, summer is a very melty-uncomfortable time of year for me. (And where I live there is only freezing winter or stinky-hot summer—hence the Tassie goal.) I’m glad the sunny weather is a plus for you. 😊

Sometimes I can trick myself into thinking I am contributing. My problem is that I am filled with so much self-hate that I really struggle to see how I could be of use to anyone. Everything in my head is a conflict though, because I have a really strong desire to help people at the same time. Argh! Brains are over-rated! (My messy one, anyway.) 🙃

I hope your hectic day is going okay. My listening eyes (love that) will be around later. 😊 🌷

Thank you for being just generally all-round awesome, @CheerBear. 😊 I really appreciate your kind words (which I thought were working fine, by the way).

It’s unfortunate that brains are so necessary. I’d happily ditch mine if I could. 😜

I’m sorry to hear that someone you care about has the same summer struggles. 🙁

I hope the air isn’t being too mean to you at the moment. Allergies are the worst.

My night is okay, thank you. I hope yours is too. An early night sounds like a good plan. I hope your big public transport trip goes okay tomorrow and that your audio book helps.

Wishing you the hours of restful sleep you need. 🌷

Hi everyone. 😊

Hi @CheerBear. You could have posted in the nest, that’s where I’ve spent my day (more about that in a minute).

Firstly, I’m glad you were able to organise something that feels right for you this morning. (And go you—I’m super proud of you fighting for yourself and what is right for you.)

It makes me so happy that Brene’s words are speaking to your heart—and I don’t think it sounds fluffy at all. Great too that Linehan’s work speak to your head—what a super combo of inspiration. 😊 I have seen the DBT thread and it makes me smile that you and @Phoenix_Rising are on a DBT mission. I have the manual and I started a DBT program years ago but it wasn’t for me. Mindfulness, in any sort of organised way, is not for me at all. It heightens my anxiety to panic level. I had my ‘aha moment’ when I discovered schema therapy. However, I will admire your DBT work from a distance because I am sure there will be some helpful tips for me to glean. 🌷

Anyway, back to Brene. All of those ideas you listed ARE awesome, but so scary when I think of them in relation to myself. I’m looking forward to reading some of her work soon. I was going to read the books in publication order, but I’m wondering if I shouldn’t just jump in at Wilderness? I might get The Gifts and Wilderness. I’ll see. Thank you for sharing your fireworks with me. I really appreciate it. And please, do share awesome passages. 😊 I need all the inspiration (and gentle nudges) I can get. 😊

So, my day (and here I will risk being seen as my imperfect/freakish/compulsive but authentic self) … well I spent the day getting to know you and @Phoenix_Rising a little better (and kind of hiding away, if I’m honest). I have been in the nest, reading away … I’m currently on page 200. (I’m resisting the urge ‘like’ all the posts that make me smile and the ones that make cry.) I’ve met some others too, like TT and Squishy and the rest of the pocket gang. 😊🐢 The not-friendship between you and @Phoenix_Rising has made me smile for a long while, but it has been really lovely to immerse myself in that ocean today (so to speak). It gives me hope that there really are good people in the world. 🌷

I also remembered that I ‘met’ you briefly when I first joined the forums and posted a comment on your ‘blanket story’ thread. (My memory is SO bad.) I am still in awe of your amazing crocheting skills.

Anyway, now that I have outed myself as … well, something—as having no life perhaps? … I will leave it here.

I hope the rest of your day was good (or at least okay). Thanks for remembering that I have essay-helping duties tomorrow. Dreading it a bit (can never escape the self-doubt) but I know it will help my friend.

I hope you have a good evening and sleep well later. 🌷

Good afternoon, everyone. 🌷

Hi @CheerBear. Sorry your day has had some unexpected speed bumps and detours. I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to post this reply and help ease my raging self-doubt a little. Thank you for getting it. 😊🌷