What helps you?

@soulsings

When did you feel most challenged and what helped you?

I felt most challenged when I had to adjust to new life circumstances. Something that really helped me was constantly telling myself "You can do this" and other positive affirmations and the greatest help came from here, from 7cups, where I learned enough coping skills to deal with difficult situations.

@soulsings I felt the most challenged when I had to drop a class in college due to low grades 😂 Organic chemistry was no joke and neither was the 170-year-old professor (he was actually probably 80 lol but should've retired 10 years earlier). I had to retake two classes over the summer after this to keep on track for graduation and it wasn't easy dealing with that pressure. I wanted to change my major so many times, but I knew that it was what I always wanted!

The most challenging in my life was a child with autism diagnosed moderate on the spectrum. The community medical and parent groups and my home therapist were amazing. I delved deep into what works and build a sensory room in my home and behavior therapy was a mainstay in our home or on vacay. It was always fun and interactive. It was important to me. Bc he was diagnosed at 2 years old. a friend of his saw his sensory room and asked why do you have all this ? My son replied you are not lucky like me and have autism.

He now presents like Asperger’s. I am proud to say he is 17 with a 99 average accepted to engineering and many scholarships….proud momma bear 🐻.

My second challenge is finding out what is wrong with my son … he has lost 30 lbs … fevers 8 months and feels weak thought was long Covid but it isn’t . Ct scans bloodwork ultrasounds and x rays … his blood cells are an issue hemoglobin and liver as well… I contacted a politician to get him diagnosed through the kids hospital before he ages out bc post pandemic health care is scattered at best in Canada 🇨🇦. Thankful and grateful for a general paediatrician apt to diagnose him … I am ready big or small for what comes but sooo grateful to see the end is in sight.

They say it is the journey not the destination I would not trade one minute he my son is pure JOY. 💙

Hi @soulsings

• When did you feel most challenged and what helped you?

I felt most challenged when my coping strategies and normal processes and ways of doing things turned out to be unsuitable for my current situation. It was hard to accept that I was part of the problem. What helped me (in no particularly order):

• 7 cups
• my therapist
• the love of my partner
• my training and education. The greatest thing I believe I was taught is how to learn. With the ability to learn, you can teach yourself anything. The second greatest thing I was taught was self awareness. To be able to reflect on what I was doing was the first step to changing it.
• my ***-mindedness. I've had my moments, but I haven't given in yet.

I wish everyone the right tools at their fingertips for their next challenge.

@soulsings i struggle with deression. taking it with other people was the thing that helped me most. picking a small goal for everyday ( like get up from bed, eat a snack) was really helpfull too

@soulsings after I was rescued I've had to learn how to live in a whole new world. But humour and the kindness of others have helped me soooooo much

meditating helps me to ground myself. it's a lifesaver from stress

@soulsings

My most challenging time is when my thoughts are running rampid and a panic or anxiety attack happens. Usually I can get out of them, but when I can't I turn to my boyfriend who stops what he is doing, to sit down and hold me while talking it out. He is someone I have known all my life, who I can turn to for comfort. When he is not around I cuddle with our furbaby and talk to her.

@soulsings Yes! We definitely have some essay questions on our exams to explain processes and similar things, but you're right in the aspect that there isn't a lot of room for essays because everything is so factual. Usually, essays are more opinionated and science isn't the topic for opinions 😂 We do write lab reports though! Those are great if you're looking to stay up all night 😂

@soulsings

When I sobered up it took me a while but I did it. I used the cold hard truth of what I was doing to myself with drugs and alcohol were killing me. So I chose the path to sobriety instead of an early grave. Sorry I am so blunt about this but I take my sobriety and the path I took to achieve it very seriously.