Catching up on the discussions from this morning and today - long post alert!
@Former-Member,
Thanks for sharing more of your life experiences here. It's wonderful to get to know you better. Please go easy on yourself with the self-consciousness about repeated words. We are not writing for that kind of scrutiny here. Volunteering is a great goal to have with the Phams worker, I wish you the very best with it. Even if employment is not a close option for you at this time, volunteering seems a really great way to prepare and engage with structured work and social contact within that kind of environment. Feel free to write down other thoughts about possible improvements to you your immediate future here. It might help to get them out and clearer in your mind. Aternatively, it could be worth journalling about this for yourself before starting with Phams. Take it or leave it suggestions, of course.
I agree that friendship is the most important part of a relationship. Ours has been going for 13 years now and we get along so very well these days, especially since dropping the pressure to be more than is natural for us to be to each other. I didn't mention to you earlier that we have separate bedrooms, which is a good arrangement for us, especially with me being a night owl. I also snore, lol. The flat is small so we spend a lot of time in each other's company, often involved in 'parallel activities' on computers at either side of the main room. Even if the lover action is rare these days, we give each other lots of hugs and affection. We are both a bit on the crazy side, though I'm the only one diagnosed.
Support networks: I have my mother who is 80 now and two states away. A few friends here who I see no more than weekly, often a lot less, mostly with mental and/or physical health issues like myself. Other friends and some extended family in Melbourne who I keep in contact with mostly just when I go down to visit about once a year. It's great that you have your special friend and that you have known for so long. Longevity in a friendship means so much, I think. She sounds like a true treasure in your life.
On a lighter note, congratulations on the progress with the toilet. No flushing though! How about pouring buckets of water down there, is that allowed? That's what I've done in the past when toilets have broken down and this has worked as an alternative (ie. doesn't overflow). Bloody toilets!
@Former-Member, yes, please do join our coffee club! Having one now and thinking of you and @Teej along with me. 🙂 ACT, yes, I remember I do know about that therapy, just didn't recognise the acronym straight away. Glad to hear you have enjoyed other things aside from your to-do list today. I have managed all of nothing as I've been sleeping most of the day to catch up on last night. Still in my nightie and dressing gown. I forgive myself this lapse though as I have a relatively busy week ahead. 🙂
@comet, thanks so much to you too for sharing more of your life experiences here. So sorry about losing your friends to drugs and alcohol. How wonderful that you still get loving texts on birthday from ex and child. Are you presently in a city or country area? I know how difficult it can be making friends in a new place. It's taken me a long time (many years) to get to the small number of friends I have now. The depression and withdrawal side of bipolar, which I have mainly experienced in my life, also complicates this. It's awesome that you have been without a beer for so long. My dad was an alchoholic, probably with undiagnosed other mental health issues too. It wreaked terrible havoc on him and our family life. Good that you are mostly happy with your own company but I hope that some companionship comes your way. Perhaps if you too are able to access the Phams program, there might be some assistance there with this. I too know from long experience I need the medications.
@Angels333, it's really interesting what you said about your psychologist experience, thanks for sharing. My current psychologist wanted to do EMDR with me but I was reluctant from the first moment I heard about it as I spent a lot of years delving into trauma in my younger years without ever getting to the end of it and just putting myself through a lot of unnecessary hell I think. I also checked with my psychiatrist about what he thought of me revisiting past trauma now and he advised against it. I trust and agree with him. So sorry you had to go through that experience.
@Faith-and-Hope, best wishes on your trip and good luck on your participation in the art event! I'm excited for you.
Hi @plasmo 🙂
