Milestones or Steps Completed! Share and Celebrate Here :)

Hi all :) This is step 580 for me and I have a 260+ day streak going :) Might be day 270 with this, I'm not sure.

What have I learned ...

.......... Only when you share with someone what is really going on, AKA how you really feel, can they listen well, give understandable advice, share relevant wisdom, and provide much needed hugs. When you keep all of that inside, saying "oh I'm fine, how are you" or "things are going well," sure it protects you from getting hurt, but it doesn't help you to 1. get closer to that person or 2. find much needed healing. Sharing how you are *really* doing - what are good and bad things that happened in your week, for example - is hard. It's risky (which is probably what makes it scary). But for good health and healing of past/present happenings, it is needed.

@GlenM @Laura @KrinktheMellowUnicorn @heather @lara @MissZ @beYOUtywithin (not sure I spelled your 7cups name right) @Dillion (cuz I haven't talked w you for a long time) @KristenHR (same reason as Dillion) @fluffyUnicorns84 (miss you! <3 ) @chasingchaos (I'm not even sure you're here anymore, but I miss you too.) ......... just to name a few :)

Just hit step 150 on my path. It's nice to have a way to measure my progress. I see a lot of insightful posts here, but I don't have that much I've learned recently. Perhaps what I've learned is that sometimes change comes slowly, especially the changing of a pattern of thought.

I reached step 540!

Practicing being mindful is great for stress. I enjoyed some gardening today and feel great about how it turned out! I also played a board game in the morning which was lots of fun, I feel like a few weeks ago I couldn't have had enjoyed it because I world have been worrying about chores or other things out of my power. I also try hard to let go of stuff/donate or trash it if it's not useful. I do a little at a time and get a lot done... A lot more than I would ever do if I set myself to do a big task instead! I also organize my drawers/shelves and enjoy being able to find stuff easier afterwards.

I learned about exercising and I learned several exercises that I can add to muy daily routine. Exercising makes me feel good because there's health benefits associated with exercising.

I recently faced my "past" and showed them that I am no longer the same person that I was. I have learned that we shouldn't worry about the things we can't change and to continue forward. Everything happens for a reason and it is upto us wether we're going to look at it as a challenge that life throws at us or a punishment. It is all about how you are going to take it.

I am learning to be mindful and listen to the signs that I'm not okay as well as the the ones that tell me I'm on the right track. I've become much happier simply by stepping out of my comfort zone. I am proud of myself and I can see a clear path to where I want to go which is great because if you asked me where I wanted to be by January of 2017 two months ago, I wouldn't have been able to tell you. All I knew was I wanted to be "happy" yet I had no idea how to obtain happiness because I was being held back by negative situations. I'm looking forward to accomplishing new goals and I am moving through life with a positive outlook for the future.

I have learned a lot since starting seven cups. I have learned how to accept myself as queer. I used to force my feelings down, and told myself it was just a phase and that everyone has feelings like that. I have learned how to say no. Learning to say no is important because I have saved myself from being in more toxic relationships, and ending pre existing ones. I have learned to appreciate growth, and to celebrate accomplishments, and not beat myself up over mistakes. Seven cups has helped me stay 5 months clean of self harm.

The only way out is through.

I have become open to therapeutic exercises and have opened my mind