Task 2/6 - Getting in touch with your inner or healthy voice.
Welcome to task 2 out of 6!
Congratulations to everyone who was able to complete Task 1, you should be really proud of yourself for taking the first steps into recovery. Sometimes what may look like a simple task may in fact be the ones which creates a significant impact on your life, but thats for you to reflect on!
Well, now I know its been awhile since task 1 was put up! But fear not, we can always recap what we discussed, or you could go back and take a look at it again, and for those who havent completed task one, I would strongly suggest you stop reading NOW! Okay wait, keep reading..and make your way to task 1 and you can always come back here, dont worry! This post isnt going anywhere without you.
A little background information (Part 2):
These little background information sections are there to create a link between my personal real life events, and the exercise that this task aims to promote.
Where was I? Oh yes, despite there being plenty of bad memories I can think of in life, there are those handful cherished moments, memories that made me smile, or feel lighter when I recall them. Back in the day, I used to be a hip hop dancer. It was something I was extremely passionate about, and I managed to do it for 3 years, with 3 major performances. Why am I telling you about this? Well, during my time as a dancer, I felt something which I rarely feel, and thats being comfortable in my own body, not feeling like I am stuck in something I dont want to be in. That feeling of confidence really proves that I still do have that healthy voice, since I have the ability to recall a time when it was alive, and loud!
Before we move on, just a quick reminder of the rules!
Try your best to partake in all the six tasks that will be posted on different days.
You may share your responses on here, or your thoughts if youd like. But since this is a personal journey, no one is forced to do anything they arent ready or willing to do.
Lets remain supportive and encouraging to all responses! We are together in this Journey.
Please do not encourage the act of restricting, binging, purging, or any negative behavior.
Lets try to keep responses with mere details, to avoid getting yourself or others triggered! This is a safe zone, where your feelings and thoughts matter most!
Dont let that ED voice overtake your beautiful healthy voice. We want to hear you, and I know your true voice is still there; we are all here to help bring it out again!
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The tables have turned…
Task 2: Your inner child has your healthy voice
Step 1:
To be able to get in touch with that healthy voice in you, its important to go back to when you last heard it! Before we move on, yes! It sounds ridiculously difficult, but I find that an easy way to recall that moment is to go back to your favorite childhood memories. Now, the term Childhood may differ between individuals, some may consider it when they were 5 years old, others in their late teens, or even early twenties, whatever earliest memory comes to mind.
Allow yourself to go there. I am sure looking at the term Favorite childhood memory brings up a flash of a moment that you recall! Theres no right or wrong in ones favorite memory, its subjective to the one who experienced it, so what may be your favorite, may not be the same as someone else's.
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Step 2:
Now that you have the memory, start writing or typing down what happened. Try and use all your five senses in this part, here are some guiding questions:
-What smell was in the air?
-Do you remember if it was cold or hot where you were at?
-Can you feel your clothing on your skin?
-Were you barefoot on the grass?
-What did you hear at the time?
-Did you taste anything?
-Were people talking around you? Who were they?
-Was there are rush of wind you might have felt?
As you may have already been able to tell, the questions are quite specific, I want you to be as specific as possible! The aim of this is to be able to feel like you are there again, re-experiencing that moment.
Lets get a bit more deeper,
-What were your thoughts at that moment?
-Did you worry about how much you had eaten? Or how much you worked out that day?
(If I were to guess, the answer should most probably be No!)
-Try to remember that person, YOU. What were their hopes and dreams at that time?
-Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up?
-Do you remember what you were excited about in life?
You can write as much as you want about the person you were, do you miss that moment? How does it feel recalling such a time in your life?
The aim of this task it to help bring back that healthy voice, by being able to familiarize yourself with its characteristics, mindset, mood, nature… Its still there, but its about time we re-discover it.
If you are comfortable with it, feel free to share your favorite childhood memory with us! We would love to hear you out. How does this task make you feel? do you think you have that potential to bring back your healthy voice and let it shine again! it's a big part of recovery, despite it being difficult, it's still possible. I believe in you.
Keep a look out for Task 3/6. It will be up some day soon. Much love.
Inspired by:- Kati Morton
@MimiBliss
Step 2:
Now that you have the memory, start writing or typing down what happened. Try and use all your five senses in this part, here are some guiding questions:
-What smell was in the air?
Cold outside...But the best day of the year..It was a night where I would get dressed up and look awesome.
-Do you remember if it was cold or hot where you were at?
I was going to a ball.
-Can you feel your clothing on your skin?
I can feel gloves on my hand
-Were you barefoot on the grass?
No it was cold..so a cool breeze from the lake since the hotel was close to the lake.
-What did you hear at the time?
Music, giggles, managers telling us it is time for us to showcase...and nervous energy all over...
-Did you taste anything?
I do not even remember the food.
-Were people talking around you? Who were they?
Yes..look at her dress...clapping for me..she is going to win the pagent.. My family and friends were there
-Was there are rush of wind you might have felt?
Of course it was there..burr..cold.
Lets get a bit more deeper,
-What were your thoughts at that moment?
I did alot of work with family, friends to get ready for this pagent. I did not do it by myself. So I wonder why now in 2017 I think I can do life by myself? Why dont I ask for help? Why do I have to think I need to have everything together? hmmm.
-Did you worry about how much you had eaten? Or how much you worked out that day?
(If I were to guess, the answer should most probably be No!)
No.. I did not worry about if I was depressed or if people liked me...hmmm..
-Try to remember that person, YOU. What were their hopes and dreams at that time?
Yes and I had personal self confidence too! I could do anything!
-Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up?
Yes I wanted to be a doctor!
-Do you remember what you were excited about in life?
You know all I wanted was to help out other people that crossed my path.
How does this task make you feel?
This makes me feel to grow my confidence and that it was there and I do have it in me!
do you think you have that potential to bring back your healthy voice and let it shine again! it's a big part of recovery, despite it being difficult, it's still possible. I believe in you.
Having a Healthy Voice is Important! I need to practice this..Are there videos for this on YouTube? Or is this like mindfulness? I like a Healthy Voice because I truly self sabotage and let my self-pity or depression or I do not have this or that drown out my healthy voice.
Thank you so much for highlighting the HEALTHY Voice for my depression!
@honestBranch5884
Wow! Thank you so much for participating in the task, We're happy to see you engaging and giving it a try! What I really liked was when you said "This makes me feel to grow my confidence and that it was there and I do have it in me!" I couldn't agree more, you always had, and will always have that confidence in you, whether it decided to shine or not, it's still in you! and I am glad recalling this memory has helped you realize that.
As for YouTube videos or mindfulness exercises, I find these exercises on self-compassion has personally helped me grow a lot, maybe it can be something you consider checking out sometime? Do let me know what you think if you end up trying them out.
^_^ You have that healthy voice, and it's what encouraged you to try this task out! Thank you for having the courage to seek change in your life, it may seem sad to look back and miss how you used to be, but trust me when I say, I see potential in you, to rediscover your greatest confidence and happiness in life, depression is just that cloud, which will pass..
@MimiBliss thank you for your detailed reply. You provide such tender care and I feel the love! I so appreciate that! Additionally, I see all the notifications come up regarding the communities that I post in...Honestly, I like this community the best. Do I need to get a sponsor or something like that? What are your thoughts on this? Will we continue to have an ongoing weekly check in. I find myself looking at this throughout the week and rereading your responses for upliftment and encouragement for me to do my daily work. Is that okay? Have a good nite. How can I encourage you- please let me know as I want to keep your cup filled as you pour into me - I would like to pour into you.
@honestBranch5884
I should of reached out last 🌙..rough night for me to finish my paper
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