Ripples and Rind
P.S. — For AzurePond and @GreenLime3141 only. Kindly skip if that’s not you.
@azurePond
Do you mind if I type here what is good about my day today? Haha Imma do it anyway. Okay.
What’s Good About Today?
I listened to a podcast I really like but haven’t listened to in a while. I exercised. I got to see my favorite support person (support needed due to autism). I wrote three cards to family and friends. I wrote a to-do list for tomorrow. I did a sticker by letter page. I took a shower and therefore earned rewards from my mom. My car has air conditioning, as well as the house and the gym where I exercised and my support person’s car.
Okay I’ll stop there!
Feel free to share your own lists of what is good about your days!
@GreenLime3141 YASSS... always feel free to drop your good day lists here.... I love this energy 😄🌟
@azurePond
Congratulations on everything!
I have lived in the same house my whole life, so I have never moved! I imagine it would be very stressful.
@GreenLime3141 Oh wow!! you’ve lived in the same house your whole life?!! that actually sounds sooo grounding and comforting to me. My life’s been the opposite, a constant series of moves lol. So much movement that I’ve never really felt rooted or at home anywhere. For me moving isn’t stressful at all it’s pretty much the only constant I’ve ever known.
Wow!
Yes, I have lived in the same house my whole life. It is comforting.
@azurePond
@GreenLime3141 I bet it is comforting. Aaah I really want to settle down somewhere *sighs *
Greenlime, Can you cook? or do you prefer baking?
I can’t cook or bake really!
How about you? @azurePond
Also see my message above.
@GreenLime3141 I can do basic cooking but I am no expert.. I love baking (I am not an expert in this either)
Aww that’s great! What’s do you enjoy baking?
@azurePond
@GreenLime3141 Sorry for the late reply, Green Lime ... I’ve been settling into my new place after the big move. Ah yes I do love baking! It’s so relaxing for me. I especially enjoy measuring ingredients and mixing them together... maybe it’s the precision, it makes me feel in control (ok... that sounds less like baking and more like therapy but still) And of course, the aroma of the oven with freshly baked cupcakes or cake… I love that part too.
I bake cakes, bread and cupcakes
That’s awesome!
How do you like your new place?
@azurePond
@GreenLime3141 Aaah… I was born here so it’s all a bit nostalgic... sometimes even déjà vu. I’ll see someone and my brain just goes loading… like “where have I met you before?” Also… got sick. Fever. So my grand exploration so far has been limited to, well, the hospital. Lol.
Oh no! So sorry! That’s cool moving back to where you grew up!
@azurePond
@azurePond
What’s good about today?
I exercised. I ate at one of my favorite restaurants. I saw my nephew. My mom and my nephew met my fitness trainer. I reached a new level in an app. I wrote an online review. I had some time by myself. I went shopping at a store I like. I did two coloring pages. I spent time with my mom. I got my favorite soft drink at said restaurant. I talked to my sister on the phone. I like the pajamas I am using right now.
@GreenLime3141 
@GreenLime3141 Today I feel less feverish so that’s good. I went to the hospital for a follow-up ... everything’s fine. I ate on time, took my meds and slept, so it’s been a lazy day.
Lazy days can be nice sometimes.
@azurePond
@GreenLime3141 Yes....... it should be but lazy days make me feel worse. It’s something I’m trying to learn — how to rest without guilt
Ah yes.
Personally I have no problem with that. I might have the opposite problem haha.
@azurePond
@GreenLime3141 What do you mean by opposite problem?
@azurePond
I love lazy days and probably would have one almost every day if I could.
@azurePond
How are you feeling today?
@GreenLime3141 I am good. How are you, GreenLime?
The day’s been good so far — had my coffee, meals on time, meds, did a bit of light movement (I was told to avoid heavy exercise for a few days), journalled, unpacked the last boxes, video-called my dad to show him I’m fine and still alive, rang my older brother, caught up on the news and texted my best friend. We’re having dinner together tonight — his mother's in town so we’re all getting together. She’s my godmother so I’m really looking forward to it.
That all sounds Amazing!!!
Congratulations! You are accomplishing so much!
@azurePond
I am doing pretty well, I think. Last year at this time, I was in the middle of a psychiatric episode, so I’m grateful to have more freedoms this year and be doing so much better.
I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, so I have high levels of anxiety about my everyday life and things like that. It can be exhausting and makes it hard to do anything extra. For instance, today there was a family birthday party that I didn’t attend because I just wanted one day to just stay home. I have to go out six days a week, so that one day off is very precious to me.
@GreenLime3141 That truly does sound amazing and thank you for sharing it so openly. Congratulations on how far you’ve come 💫😍🫂 that’s such a big accomplishment in itself.
ok....now a question.. Do you watch movies? what kind of movies do you like? which are your comfort movies?
Do I watch movies?
I don’t watch that many movies to be honest…
What kind of movies do I like?
Probably my favorite movies are ones made for kids. They’re easier to understand, and they’re not inappropriate.
Which are my comfort movies?
Probably some that I have seen a ton of times, like The Polar Express or Temple Grandin or The Jonah Movie. Also Hallmark movies, not because I actually enjoy them, but because my mom used to watch them all the time.
How about you, @azurePond ?
@GreenLime3141 I watch loads of films and series… lol.
I know what you mean about children’s films . I love them as well. Disney films and pixar films are just lovely. I think they carry more hope and warmth than most others. I still cry when I think about the movie Up (the one with the grandfather and the kid)
As for favourites… I honestly can’t choose... there are too many, across all sorts of genres. But my real comfort watches are probably Studio Ghibli films.
Ooh your choices are really good! I still need to check out The Polar Express though… I think you mentioned it before when we were talking about the northern lights, right?
And what exactly are Hallmark films? Ohhh you mean the Christmas ones and the romcoms? Yes those are great.
@azurePond
Yes, I have seen the movie Up a few times. It is so touching.
Yes, I mentioned The Polar Express before in relation to the Northern Lights.
@azurePond
What’s Good About Today?
I ate at one of my favorite restaurants. I colored. I wrote two cards. I got to see my favorite support person. I was able to shower. I didn’t have to drive anywhere myself. I exercised. I got some reading time in. I used a facial cleanser I am supposed to use. I got to listen to my music. I finally did three things that had been on my to do list for a while. I had some time home alone.
@GreenLime3141 I feel as though every time I reply to you, I’m ap0logising for something. S0rry for being such a dry pen pal and a late repl.ier. I’m not usually like this but my life took quite a dra.stic turn this year and things have been h.itting me ha.rd. My mental health really di.pped and so did my physical health. I’m so s0rry, Green Lime. I truly hope brighter days are ahead and that I’ll be able to write back to you on time.
PS - The website was not allowing me to p0st that is why the unnecessary punctuations in the middle of the words.
No worries about the late replies!
@azurePond
I have been less active on 7 Cups than when I first joined. Hopefully we can both be patient with one another and try not to fret about late replies.
I don’t consider you a sry pen pal. I was so honored that you chose me to have a pen pal chat with. It was a really good moment.
There’s really no strict timeline in my mind for when you should reply to pen pal chat messages. Take your time, and I’ll be here when you have the time and chance and energy to write back.
I had a recent storm in my head too.
Congratulations on eating well even if you didn’t feel like it!
Today is my day off when I can just chill, so I’m excited about that.
@azurePond
@azurePond Hello @GreenLime3141.. How's life?
Hey, @azurePond !!!
Welcome back!
I’ve been fine. The usual ups and downs but not too much.
I’ve been pretty normal I guess. Anxiety as usual.
@GreenLime3141 Lovely to hear from you 💚
@azurePond
I am grateful for my one friend today who has been in touch.
I’m grateful for my mom because she helps me so much.
@GreenLime3141 Those are wonderful things to be grateful about. Your mother sounds like a lovely person <3
She is! : )
@azurePond See above
@azurePond
I’m not sure I actually have a ton of good ways to cope with anxiety, but I journal and color and name my feelings and talk to someone.
@GreenLime3141 I see.. these are healthy coping mechanisms. you should be proud of that.
By journalling, do you mean writing ? or creating aesthetic journals.. like in those ASMR videos?
I mean writing
@azurePond
@GreenLime3141 writing is good. gives clarity to your thoughts<3
Do you celebrate Christmas, Greenlime?
Yes I do! How about you?
@GreenLime3141 I do celebrate christmas. But this years' was a bit.. idk how to say this.. bad for me. I had some disagreements with my family and it kind of ruined this year's Christmas and New Year for me. But on the bright side, I got to travel. Visited some new places.
How was your christmas? How is the new year treatung you so far?
My Christmas was good! I’m sorry to hear about yours, @azurePond !
How is the new year treating me?
Okay I guess. My mom had a planned surgery, and she is still recovering now.
@azurePond
What are your favorite artistic or creative pursuits?
Also, is English your first language?
@azurePond