Self-Harm Recovery Daily Check-in: Thursday July 2nd, 2020
Hello, everyone and a happy new month! I hope this month will go better than expected for all of us. For this check-in, I'd like to talk about new beginnings. (I wonder where this topic came from?!)
When we start our recovery journey, it's a new beginning, a new chapter in our lives. This single pivotal decision has created a whole new beginning for us. Some of us celebrate it, feel proud of it, and are eager yet scared to begin. However, so often, we think this new beginning is it. There will be no more- the next one will be us fully recovered. I don't know about you, but I know that thought has negatively affected me for a long time.
What about the moments where we slip-up and decide to try again? What about the moments we relapse and come out of it? Those are new beginnings in their own ways as well. Celebrate those little wins too, for they become a part of this chapter. Each decision creates a subchapter if you will.
So with all of that said, here are some questions for you to mull over-
1) How are you today? Is there anything you'd like to share with us?
2) What are your plans for July? What are your hopes?
3) What do new beginnings mean to you in your self-harm journey?
4) What's something you have easy access to that never fails to cheer you up?
Take care everyone, and have a good July!
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Hey friends!
1) How are you today? Is there anything you'd like to share with us?
Today I'm just so-so. My hips and neck hurt and feel stiff, though :c
2) What are your plans for July? What are your hopes?
No particular plans for now, but school will start again in 2 weeks and I'm hoping to be able to cope.
3) What do new beginnings mean to you in your self-harm journey?
One step forward in recovery :)
4) What's something you have easy access to that never fails to cheer you up?
Hm...social media I think, because that's where most of my friends are haha
Thanks for the checkin! Take care everyone~
@Hydrangea03
Hey, Hydrangea! Its so good to see you again ❤️ hope youve been well since the last time I saw you post. I hope you physically recover soon! Body aches and stiffness can be uncomfortable and inconvenient.
Good luck with school! Do you have any new coping mechanisms to try out for when things get rough during the school term? I hope you do, or find some soon to try out. One step forward- no matter the pace- Id like to add! And yes to social media- its at the palm of our hands basically! So easy to access, just dont get too addicted 😛take care mate xx
Thank you for your support!!! Take good care, stay well ^^ @rebecca947
1) How are you today? Is there anything you'd like to share with us?
I am good. Just trying to get in the groove of things for the summer.
2) What are your plans for July? What are your hopes?
To put up the pool in my backyard. And I want to get all my summer work done in July.
3) What do new beginnings mean to you in your self-harm journey?
Taking another step forward in recovery. Or maybe starting again if I were to relapse.
4) What's something you have easy access to that never fails to cheer you up?
Music, it always puts a smile on my face.
@positiveTurtles
Hey, Turtle! I totally forgot its summer for the Northern Hemisphere now. What summer work do you have to do? And yay to the pool! Itll keep you cool during the heat for sure. It sounds like an inflatable pool?
Definitely agree with that- one step forward. One step in any direction- it simply means youre moving, and moving is good.
I love music as well. Im glad it always helps! Take care xx
@rebecca947
1) How are you today? Is there anything you'd like to share with us?
I'm good I actually did the dishes today I'm happy about that!
2) What are your plans for July? What are your hopes?
So far just the normal adventures, since I moved to Paris me and my husband have been exploring the cities! I hope I manage to loose more weight I want to be healthy.
3) What do new beginnings mean to you in your self-harm journey?
Being clean, turning the page on my life in self harm and being strong. I want to get over this again and be okay again.
4) What's something you have easy access to that never fails to cheer you up?
Honestly my dog and husband they're both amazing cuddlers! And I'm always around one of them! 
@itidc
Hello, Itidc! Im so happy to hear that youre good. And you can do my dishes for me too, thanks! *passes a pile of dirty plates* much appreciated.
Oh my gosh, I am so jealous! How is Paris so far?! And if I may ask, why did you both decide to move there? Id love to visit Paris and France in general one day. So far, whats the best city youve explored and why? Good luck with the weight loss. Keep in mind that its a lifestyle change, not a temporary diet. ❤️
I like how you said turning the page on my life. Its so true isnt it... its how I view new beginnings too. New chapter, new page, new story.
You have a dog!! What breed? 😍 (P.S. I'm probably going to ask you a hundred times because my memory is pretty bad lol) take care of yourself xx
@rebecca947
Hi, I'll gladly do your dishes!
It's so amazing it was crazy o move from a small town in the USA to paris but I love it! I moved because my husband lives here we were just an online couple for 2 years till he visited me then I decided I love him so much and moved here. Oh man it's all so pretty the parks are pretty and i don't know the name of this place but we were walking and just exploring in general and we found random steps so we went down them and it was under a bridge and there was a cute little garden and waterfall it was so beautiful! And my husband didn't even know it exsisted lol!
Thank you honestly i've just been walking alot and not eating fast food as much still eat alot of junk food but lost 30 pounds lol!
Well, I think he's a weenie dog, chihuaha, mini pin mix but I just found out he may be part Itilain greyhound as well!!! Thank you so much and you too!
@rebecca947 I can't seem to get past the thoughts and urges at the moment. Sometimes - I just feel so angry and Idk what to do with it except take it out on myself - IDk - I guess I just wanted to admit what I'm thinking - in well - I know everyone here understands. I'm fighting with myself because I'm thinking it and fighting because I'm ashamed I'm thinking it and thinking I should just be quiet about it
@mytwistedsoul
Hey, Soul. ❤️ I hope youre feeling a bit better by now. But if youre not, heres my response.
Feeling angry is a secondary emotion- usually, the underlying emotion is being scared. Feeling angry is an uncomfortable, often feeling intolerable. Its a vulnerable state, which nobody naturally wants to feel. Humans werent ever developed like that.
What are you angry about? Dig deeper- why did it make you so angry? Did you feel upset because someone wasted your time? Did you feel frightened of your sadness that you masked it with anger? Apply it specifically to your situation.
And there are so many other ways to distract or let the anger out that doesnt have to involve self-harm. Heres a post that categorises some distractions according to mood. Maybe you could give it a read and make it an aim to try one.
Thank you for being vulnerable and opening up to us. It takes a lot of courage and strength ❤️
1) How are you today? Is there anything you'd like to share with us?
I'm so tired of how honesty only ends poorly for me. Told my doc I have an ED and she said she doesn't treat ppl with EDs so guess who's not getting meds for depression / anxiety?? This girl. Ugh. Next time I won't be honest. This diagnosis is causing so many unnecessary issues. As soon as I mentioned it I started kicking myself. Trust your gut folks.
2) What are your plans for July? What are your hopes?
I hope to get some medication.
3) What do new beginnings mean to you in your self-harm journey?
New beginnings mean a fresh start where the past has no bearing on the present.
4) What's something you have easy access to that never fails to cheer you up?
I'm not sure at this moment
@Lexloveslife
Hi, Lex! Im sorry to hear about that :( by your doctor, do you mean your GP? I hope you can find a better one, one whos well-verses in mental health and mental illnesses. Im not sure how easily you can find one, but if you can, try to look for one. In my honest opinion, it is much better to be honest than to hide things. Just have to find the right person to be truthful to. But in your circumstances, whatever works to get what you want! Im really sorry it didnt work out :(
I love your definition of new beginnings. Lovely wording ❤️ best of luck with getting the medication you know you need and want. Update us when you can xx
@rebecca947
My psychiatrist. She dismissed me officially as her patient today so I have to get a new one through my GP. I'm very tired of all the problems this has caused.
1) How are you today? Is there anything you'd like to share with us?
I'm ok. It has been busy. I had time allotted for work, but I was too intellectually fatigued to do much of value. I worked out, so that's good.
2) What are your plans for July? What are your hopes?
I will be on vacation from mid-July. I hope to get a ton of work done first, then go and relax, and have a balanced, stable, sleep-non-neglectful, stressless time with friends. And to work out and still lose weight.
3) What do new beginnings mean to you in your self-harm journey?
I think its a question of finding the balance really. You just tweak little habits one at a time, to try to get into a stronger place. I mean there will always be moment to moment regulation, and grounding techniques and SH substitutes and distractions you need to use, and friends etc. But even a small change of habits can be a new beginning in a very true and powerful sense.
4) What's something you have easy access to that never fails to cheer you up?
Never fails? Wow! Um...
Well, I do like listening to the song The National Express by The Divine Comedy quite a lot. Its har to be sad when I hear that. And also PMJ's rendition of My Heart Will Go On, Vintage '50s style :) Actually I have a "happy songs" playlist. There are a few that are nearly irresistable as far as cheering me up.
@1morday
Hey, Day! :) Im glad your day was busy yet ok. Its good you knew when you needed a break. I find when Im mentally exhausted, its oftentimes because I didnt hydrate enough or havent moved my body enough.
Thats some amazing plan right there! Enjoy your holidays!! Are you heading to a place near you or going for a long trip somewhere? Definitely take that time to do a ton of self-care and self-love work!
I love your elaboration. Life is all about finding balance, and new beginnings related to self-harm is no different.
I love that you have a happy songs playlist! What are the other songs that you feel are near impossible to keep you feeling sad? Id love to hear! Take care xx
@rebecca947
Thanks Rebecca :)
Ok, I will share but it is a silly list. I like folk music, a lot. But other things too:
Banks of Sacramento - Will Finn and Rosie Calvert - https://youtu.be/CHknyL5j9mI?list=PLfnV6ysy3cCj-Lda45kpAecOy2TibZR7W
Chickens in the Garden - Will Finn and Rosie Calvert -https://youtu.be/b3RHHJwcXco?list=PLfnV6ysy3cCj-Lda45kpAecOy2TibZR7W
My Heart Will Go On - Vintage '50s Jackie Wilson - Style Celine / Titanic Cover ft. Mykal Kilgore - https://youtu.be/oyiWQ3l66Nk?list=PLfnV6ysy3cCj-Lda45kpAecOy2TibZR7W
Bellowhead - Roll Alabama - https://youtu.be/8fXHSRx3M5o?list=PLfnV6ysy3cCj-Lda45kpAecOy2TibZR7W
Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys - Jolly Waggoners + Banish Misfortune - https://youtu.be/5G1phO2lszk?list=PLfnV6ysy3cCj-Lda45kpAecOy2TibZR7W
The Divine Comedy - National Express - https://youtu.be/-Fw73dBJGss
Bust Your Knee Caps - Pomplamoose - (Trigger warning? I guess... But its not meant to be serious - the girl obviously has mob connections and is threatening the boyfriend with physical repercusions if he leaves her...). https://youtu.be/FlDGFrP4NgI?list=PLfnV6ysy3cCj-Lda45kpAecOy2TibZR7W
Jackson 5 - I Want You Back - https://youtu.be/DGDyAb6pePo?list=PLfnV6ysy3cCj-Lda45kpAecOy2TibZR7W
Rage Against Vanessa Carlton (parental warning for lyrics) - just because it cracks me up to hear Rage Against the Machine superimposed on Vanessa Carlton. Literally, I feel slightly guilty for posting this (cos language) but it is pretty much a fail proof to cheer me up. Think I'm just messed that way :)
Thanks for the encouragement to check in, and for responding!
@1morday
Thank you! I'll be sure to listen to them all one day... I have a long list of songs I want to listen to later. Haven't gotten around to it yet though 😝