Living with Ourselves

good morning @Adge

Yes ...spot on...some are volunteers with lived experience...some perhaps no lived experience..counselling trained....

The fact that someone has lived experience does not make them a good listener...that is part of their character

Some are very good listeners...reassuring when not knowing what to say...even reassuring that not taking up too much time...

always ring again and let them know how you felt as this reinforces your own value as well as provide vital feedback...

hoping that rest and antibiotics doing there work will lead you to recovery soon..

take care..

@Sophia1 I hope you managed to sleep last night. It can be so hard when the pain keeps you from getting the rest/sleep you need.

Sorry to hear you had an anniversary - they are never easy to deal with and I can imagine they would open the door for other feelings to emerge - not easy at all @Sophia1

I don't have my hydrotherapy session tomorrow - physi is away - but I am going to try to will myself to get up and to the pool anyway. I fear that if I don't then I won't return to the sessions when she is back - I need the routine and I definitely need the exercise - even if I just walk in the pool for half an hour it is better than doing nothing. ...and the water is calming for me but it will be a real test to go on my own - haven't done that in a very long time.

How are you coping today? Is your mind still all over the place?

Hi @Adge

But it's mid-late afternoon @Sophia1 Don't worry, it doesn't matter.

I don't know where the day has gone, so would be good if it was still morning.

Feeling very yuk & down, always more negative thoughts when I'm ill (& low mood).

Listening is definitely a skill that's carefully learned (or built up) over time.

It's often taken for granted I think, but it takes a lot of energy (& effort to listen well).

I'm having trouble concentrating or typing on computer, often have to lie down for rest.

It's always good to hear from you.

It's been raining all day here.

I stocked aviaries with seed & clean water (then did cages inside), but got all wet & soggy doing it.

The canaries are so happy when I've washed & filled the water dispensers - they all jump in & have a bath, straight away.

Adge

Hello to all passing..popping in...curious even..

This morning I pushed myself out of bed earlier than usual..

followed one of my cats outside..not through the cat door...

frost on the ground...very still though...I walked around the garden area and verandas for about 15 minutes taking everything in....I noticed the cows near the fence line...walked nearer and saw a calf..white with a few small black marks and one brown mark...then noticed two sheep in with the cows..have not seen them together before..as I watched I observed one of the sheep with a black head..snuggling up to a fully grown cow..as though they were mother and baby...have never seen this in my life before...

then as I walked back to one of the verandas two rosellas flew over my head ..other birds too were chirping away..

I had a great awareness of how much I have been isolating myself again...even though I have medical appointments..pool sessions..some visitors family and friends..

I felt connected to the real world again..after long periods of dissociation and depersonalisation...

I hope that this lasts..

I have also been more productive around the house..

fingers crossed the racehorse me has not overdone things again..

that is my day today....................

Are your AB helping with the infections yet @Adge?

Hi @Zoe7

Yes anniversaries are difficult, be gentle with yourself Sophia (& you too Zoe).

What an amazing thing to experience and feel so connected to @Sophia1 - I did have a giggle at you trying to fit through the cat door even though you said you didn't follow cat through there - the image was already in my head - your elephant avatar trying to fit through a tiny little cat door lol

I do hope this feeling continues for you and that connectedness feeling remains past today

I'm not sure @Zoe7 I only got them late yesterday afternoon, so maybe too early to tell.

Still feeling weak.

The Dr said I was dehydrated, so I've been trying to drink more.

Hopefull will turn the corner soon.

Adge

@Zoe7

Being in water is calming as long as there are not too many noisy people about..

walking in water is good for your back..

block everyone else out if you feel anxious..sing to yourself silently of course laugh...

sleeping patter still rather erratic with weird dreams back when I fall into deep sleep early hours of the morning..

I will accept any sleep for now..

how are you managing to sleep?

Plenty of rest and water is essential when you are that sick @Adge - hopefully the AB's will begin to work very soon and you will begin to see small improvements - take it easy @Adge and look after yourself