Daily goals, motivation and check in

very well said @eudemonism

brilliant idea to record your thoughts, feelings, emotions....keep in a safe place....

showing those people with whom you feel safe and have trust well thought out..

sorry I am struggling at moment...have not forgotten you..

so pleased that you can come to this thread and garden one...knowing that you can offer suggestions and well as be given some..

take care as always..

your friend moh

Hi @Teej well my Friday night slump is not as slumpy as my Thursday one! I hope your home-making is happening little by little. I can identify with the cycle of feeling ok and making plans, then slumping and getting stuck. It's hard @eudemonism when feelings derail everything. I get very frustrated because my mood is so variable, sometimes for no apparent reason (other than having bipolar 1 which of course will do it). Try not to beat yourself up for things outside your control. It's not easy.

You did well yesterday@Mazarita I hope today was a bit easier. My meditation is a struggle the last week. I'm restless and distracted. It's cool that you got to the poetry night. I would love to have a creative outlet.

Hi @frog, good to see you.

What kind of meditation do you do? I just mainly focus on breathing first of all, just how it is without changing it - though I find that just observing the breath slows it down. Then I start breathing in for four and out for five. That is my cycle. I keep bringing my attention back to the breath when it wanders. I have to admit though that I fall asleep after a while most times. I still think it is beneficial.

Restless and distracted is hard though. There are times when I find I can't meditate at all and pretty much just forget about doing it it any formal way. Then I will just mainly try to focus on breath from time to time throughout the day and night, which as I said, slows it down and relaxes me a little. I always feel better when I am doing it in a more formal way everyday though.

I don't always remember things about what we say to each other on the forum, but am I right in remembering that you work with bipolar 1?

Hi @Mazarita my meditation is largely guided - I have an app - stop, breathe and think. Some of the things that work well for me are following the outbreath, and also focusing on self compassion. I tried off and on for 4 years before really establishing a daily practice, though like you there are times when I just can't. Sometimes my head is just crazy busy. Then I just try and observe what's going on and slow things down as best I can. You must have a good memory - yes I have Bipolar 1, also a lot of anxiety issues. I have a great deal of trouble remembering what's going on for whom on the forum. I'm ok one-to-one but get a bit overwhelmed in groups and gatherings. Same irl. I worry that people will think I'm not interested. I am! So please remind me!

I have bipolar 1 also, @frog, and anxiety and depression issues over my whole life. I am in an okay place mostly these days, though I still struggle with ordinary things others take for granted every day. That sounds wonderful focussing on self compassion. I too get overwhelmed in real life social situations very easily, though I try very hard to keep a calm exterior. And sometimes on the forum too. I've been here for almost three years. I tend to get to know people a bit after a while of their being here. Don't always remember things though. We are only human.

@Mazarita your words are very comforting to me. We have a lot in common I think. I so identify with struggling with things others take for granted - it takes so much energy to do the basics. I have also been plagued by anxiety and depression as long as I can remember and for a very long time felt ashamed for being 'weak'. Not so these days. I have gained so much respect for people who struggle with these chronic conditions, usually unbeknownst to others. On good days, I have respect for myself too. SInce we're here, my daily goals are largely domestic - mopping, cleaning the inside of the car, errands at the shops, writing a birthday card (for some reason that is the most daunting!) There's a storm forecast and I hope we get some good rain - will save me watering my little courtyards. Hope your day is shaping up ok.

Hi everyone, hope today is fruitful in some way.

I have nothing planned today. I've missed low tide so it's unlikely I will get out to beach for a walk. Weekends I usually take it very easy though. Quality time with C as he doesn't work on weekends. And just a break from the usual weekday round of trying to motivate myself to do things against the usual resistance. I may get some video editing done today, may get some small domestic tasks done. But I'm putting no pressure on myself.

Thanks for sharing your experiences, @frog. It's good to be getting to know you better. I too find birthday and xmas cards difficult for some reason, along with so many other ordinary things. Glad to hear you are in a better place now than you were, with your respect for self and others suffering these conditions. Best to you on getting your domestic tasks done today too.