It's quite encouraging that this thread has not seen too much traffic for a while. No doubt quite a few regulars are feeling it right now. This has been a year of challenges unlike anything I think many of us have ever faced. That is on top of many of the usual challenges.
Speaking personally, right now is quite a dark place. It is requiring resources that I don't always feel that I have. That said, I get up each morning, I get on with things, I go to bed at the end of each day having achieved things.
So for anyone and everyone that is feeling close to being overwhelmed right now can I say, as I think quite a few others here would also, that I really do get it. Perhaps a few reminders of some of the hard-won wisdom of boarders is worth drawing on right now:
- we are all valued and appreciated by someone. Might now be many, might not always be obvious, but worth bearing in mind.
- booze is not helpful, even though it sometimes feels like it is (especially mixed with medication .... fun stuff!)
- being informed is helpful but obsessively watching and reading news is not.
- exercise, sleep and eating properly ... ( ... some day ...)
- CBT / DBT / ACT / Mindfulness are all helpful (for those not familiar with DBT it is an extension of CBT for those with a BPD diagnosis. There are some helpful additional strategies there, especially around catastrophising. Worth a look.)
- distraction with small pleasures is important. Hobbies are your friend.
- prioritise contact with helpful people. Like Funt says, we can't control others. Sometimes their views, attitudes and behaviours can add to problems, especially around self-identity if we are talking about relatives. Possibly one advantage of the social-distancing right now is that there is a helpful ready made excuse, although it does cut both ways.
- pick out positives in situations (that means you too, TJM86!). Remember that we don't see the full picture quite often, especially when other people are involved.
I'm sure I've missed quite a few bits that folks have shared over the years. Like Tiplodocus says though, this is a thread that always gets a response and it is always supportive. It's not uncommon to find yourself on the receiving end of a PM check in. So I guess that brings me to the last one for now ...
- if you feeling it, no matter how pathetic you feel it is and you are, please speak to someone. What you are feeling is real and valid, it is in no way pathetic. Everyone is feeling it right now. Everyone is struggling. Anyone would be hard pressed to cope. Oh, and those that look like they are coping? Quite often that is an Oscar nomination performance that comes undone with spectacular results.
Take care folks. Stay safe. Stay strong. Stay Alert (Britain needs 'lerts'!) ... and the first post-pandemic Lawless con needs to be on everyone's list.
Speaking personally, right now is quite a dark place. It is requiring resources that I don't always feel that I have. That said, I get up each morning, I get on with things, I go to bed at the end of each day having achieved things.
So for anyone and everyone that is feeling close to being overwhelmed right now can I say, as I think quite a few others here would also, that I really do get it. Perhaps a few reminders of some of the hard-won wisdom of boarders is worth drawing on right now:
- we are all valued and appreciated by someone. Might now be many, might not always be obvious, but worth bearing in mind.
- booze is not helpful, even though it sometimes feels like it is (especially mixed with medication .... fun stuff!)
- being informed is helpful but obsessively watching and reading news is not.
- exercise, sleep and eating properly ... ( ... some day ...)
- CBT / DBT / ACT / Mindfulness are all helpful (for those not familiar with DBT it is an extension of CBT for those with a BPD diagnosis. There are some helpful additional strategies there, especially around catastrophising. Worth a look.)
- distraction with small pleasures is important. Hobbies are your friend.
- prioritise contact with helpful people. Like Funt says, we can't control others. Sometimes their views, attitudes and behaviours can add to problems, especially around self-identity if we are talking about relatives. Possibly one advantage of the social-distancing right now is that there is a helpful ready made excuse, although it does cut both ways.
- pick out positives in situations (that means you too, TJM86!). Remember that we don't see the full picture quite often, especially when other people are involved.
I'm sure I've missed quite a few bits that folks have shared over the years. Like Tiplodocus says though, this is a thread that always gets a response and it is always supportive. It's not uncommon to find yourself on the receiving end of a PM check in. So I guess that brings me to the last one for now ...
- if you feeling it, no matter how pathetic you feel it is and you are, please speak to someone. What you are feeling is real and valid, it is in no way pathetic. Everyone is feeling it right now. Everyone is struggling. Anyone would be hard pressed to cope. Oh, and those that look like they are coping? Quite often that is an Oscar nomination performance that comes undone with spectacular results.
Take care folks. Stay safe. Stay strong. Stay Alert (Britain needs 'lerts'!) ... and the first post-pandemic Lawless con needs to be on everyone's list.
