Groundhog Day - our thoughts and our stories finding our way along the journey

Good evening @Owlunar and @Former-Member and anyone else who may be reading this

So lovely to return and read your posts. Yes I can relate to both of you with in-laws as well - none of us have been very lucky with extended family have we, but we all have a loving daughter (mine is a bit lost but loves me a lot). We have a lot in common in many ways and I gain a lot from chatting with you both.

I have been to Victoria a few years back (visited Dalsford for a wedding) and loved it! I loved how an old convent there was converted into an art and jewellery gallery - and the old English style architecture of the buildings that contained a variety of shops & cafes. Was a real treat for me. I remember that I had to wear a jumper at night in February! We are still very hot and humid here on the East Coast North of Sydney - a big difference in temperatures. I loved Victoria - just skimmed past Melbourne and did not have much of a chance to see it.

Good to see you managed to get out of the house for abit @Former-Member. I find that can help me at times. How was your weekend @Owlunar - did you get out at all?

I embroidered for most of Saturday but did get out of the house today. Was feeling a little housebound and low - so needed some different scenery. I woke up feeling low (that is unfortunately normal for me, I suffer nightmares most nights - not sure why). But we ended up going down to have lunch at the golf resort where we are building our new home. It just happened that the residents where having a golf day and a luncheon where they were auctioning oil paintings of the surrounding beaches - they were gorgeous (but pricey 😳).

The residents were so friendly - they greeted us with open arms and I have already been invited to dinners and golf tournaments by a couple. They asked if I played golf to which I replied "No, but I will give anything a try for fun". They liked that response so I am on my way to making friends - which is what I wanted.

Some people would think these people could be snobs - but I found the opposite. A lot of them were as friendly as country folk and seemed very happy - I was surprised. Now I am really looking forward to moving out there. It may help me overcome my anxieties and depression - that is the goal. It will be a sight me playing golf lol - hope no one will be too close in range aha 🤞🏌️🤕😝.

Then we went to a raffle my daughter was hosting and I won a major prize and a chicken roast (no, it wasn't rigged lol). So all and all a good inspiring day - it will help me through the bad ones. And I was feeling very low to start with - but I can socialise well with bravado at first when I have too - then I end up feeling better for it

I would recommend to anyone to take risks in life this way - I figure what have we to lose 🤷‍♀️. I know when I had my breakdown I could not have done it then, and I am not 100 percent yet, but improved enough to give it a go. As long as I keep a hands distance with toxic people - but I find most people look for the same thing in these situations I was in today - looking for good company. And are usually okay. So feeling more upbeat now.

I hope the evening is relaxing for you both. I am holding onto the good feelings of this day hoping if will offset the low morning moods. I will just have to visualise then my golf strikes and everyone ducking...... 💜

Thank you @Former-Member. It will help me navigate around some of the really big obstacles I face. The boost I needed. Now to make the most of it.....

My daughter still struggles so at times it's hard, but if I don't the depression will gobble me up. And then I am not good at helping no one, including myself. A leap of faith is urgent.....and it's showing some promise today.

Hope your daughter is going okay - I do know the worry when a loved one is ill and how taxing emotionally this is. And all the family conflict on top for you - not good. I hope you are treating yourself often. What do you find relaxes you for abit? You deserve happiness too. Thinking of you 💞

Rant all you like @Former-Member - it's so wonderful getting to know you too. I am about to shut eye, just wanted you to know I read your post with interest and will respond tomorrow. Sweet dreams my friend 😘😴

Good morning @Former-Member

How are you today? It may be a helpful to you to discuss withdrawing "slowly" off your sleep meds with your doctor. Going off them cold turkey will induce high anxiety and they say is not a good idea.

I would like to come off mine at some time, but I have been on them for some time and so it will be a very gradual process.

Slow deep breathing is helpful to calm - I also find this 😊 I know the feeling of low energy - feel shocking g today as I tossed and turned and didn't really nod off until 3:00am. It's getting bad now - will have to speak to my doc about it and employ some strategies to enhance earlier and better sleep.

You will travel and meet people again one day @Former-Member. The situation with your daughter is new and will take time to adjust. Your priority of being there for her and getting through the day under the circumstances is a very good achievement. When the dust settles in time you will the right time to be @Former-Member and do the things that make her happy.

If I don't push I would probably do nothing the way I feel presently - so doing things within my limits is good otherwise my mind would take over. I think we work out our own limits. If we push too much we step back a bit etc. You will find your equilibrium in time - you have a lot on your plate at the moment. I think once the operation is out of the way and things settle back to more normal - your zest will return 😊 That's what I am like.

My friend who has cancer is very sick from the chemo. He had difficulty breathing the other day and got a real scare. His wife won't leave his side now. It's not good but I am still hoping he will come good 😥.

I have to go up the road today and may do some shopping. Don't feel like it as I am exhausted. I hope to get my sleep in order soon as it's effecting my health and getting me down. Wish me luck 🤗. Have a good day @Former-Member 💞

Hi @Former-Member

Sleeping meds can be a lifesaver when in an emergency. Good to read that you are trying some natural alternatives - let me know if they help you.

I have been feeling very ordinary today - the lack of sleep is taking its toll. I am going to try a few strategies over the next week to see if it improves. I have still been more or less active but it's not tiring me as it once was. So I am going to try and get up earlier regardless to exhaust myself and see if that helps. Desperate measures...wish me luck.

I just can't afford to go down - others need me and I have a lot to look forward to. Wish we did not need sleep.

I have never had indepth counselling before regarding my traumas. I could not verbalise them when I had a mental breakdown - I was that bad (catatonic depression and maddening anxiety). Those medical people who did witness what I went through said most don't come back from that - so I have done well but not where I want to be yet. I want me back completely. Like you - I not entirely happy where I am at. Which is okay - as if we were we would stay where we are.

Did you get your washing done? I did end up going to the shops and then to see my gp - not very thrilling but the way I was feeling it was an achievement. And then I did some stitching on my project when I got home. She is coming along nicely. I think I will read some more of the the novel "The Woman In The Window" tonight and see if that helps with slumber. It's a good story - do you like to read? Hope you sleep better too my friend. 💞x