Milestones or Steps Completed! Share and Celebrate Here :)

Make time for self-care every day. Its essential.

I made an hourly planner for the last months of the year

160: For me, it's "obvious" that the right thing is to not run away or escape, and instead deal with my negative emotions using methods like observing thoughts/sensations objectively and identifying emotions. But there are times when the impulse takes over and I end up trying to numb pain instead of dealing with it more constructively. Why isn't it going away? It's never going to go away.

Being aware of an emotion doesn't make it stop, but it defuses its intensity and lessens its power over me. I've been struggling with a thought that defusing or weakening an emotion is like suppressing it, which therefore makes it oppressive and unhealthy. But I don't think it's the same thing. It's almost the opposite. When I disconnect from what I'm feeling and identify it, it never shuts the feeling down completely. Sometimes, it kind of simmers it down into something tolerable, that doesn't get bottled up but rather subsides on its own. Or maybe it stays present, but instead of being all around me and taking up my entire being, it's all been compressed into something small and manageable that is much smaller than I am. Just like Noni says, holding pain like a delicate flower in the palm of your hand.

This is Step 1630 for me.

Here at 7cups, as a Member (M) and also a Listener (L), one thing I am learning (have learned?) is this: something my friend seems to say rather often is very true. How he puts it is: A battery cannot give out what it does not have. This is part of why I am doing very little lately within my role here as a (L). I feel in need of help, rather lots recently. I think some people would say, well maybe you'd feel better if you try helping someone else - as a (L). While that might be true for some, I don't think it is for me. I want to be healthier than where I am right now, in order to give the (M) the best listening as a (L) that I can!

The battery thing is kind of like one of the instructions given to passengers on basically every flight and every airline, as far as I know. The part about if the cabin looses air pressure the little masks will fall .... and Be sure to secure your own mask before helping your child or others who are traveling with you. I'd guess that several people do not follow this instruction. Yet, as 7cups would say, A cup that is empty has nothing to give. If I am losing oxygen and not securing my mask, there would be no way for me to help my niece with her mask.

#ptp

(I think I just lost my daily streak, by like 2 minutes. This is sad.)

I think I learned to open up more and naturally. Thanks 7cups!

Getting better at this!

I'm learning that I'm annoyed by persistent negativity.

I have learnt many valuable lessons in the short time since I have joined this website, and currenlty my favourite is along the lines of "thoughts are just thoughts. feelings are just feelings, observe them, sit with them, and allow them to pass and go ...."

I feel beautiful today 🥰

Step 1316, I've come a long, long way, this site, my therapist and two of my really good friends I have truly help. I am very grateful