Trauma Support Check-In: October 28th, 2019
Good morning my beautiful community! I hope everyone is having a happy Monday! Today, I'd like to talk a little bit about why being able to talk openly with someone can improve our mental health.
When we talk openly to somone we are better able to sort through our feelings. Talking out loud about what is going on in your head and explaining it to someone else, even if you think it doesn't make sense, helps you to clairfy the things that are worrying you. Talking puts things into perspective and releases tension within our bodies and minds.
Talking to someone can help you look at the problem in a new or different way. It can help you gain new insight into the situation that is causing the problem. When we talk openly to someone we find out that we are NOT alone, that many other people share our feelings! Talking leads to solutions. Many times when we talk to someone, we don't know what to do or even what we are feeling. When we hear ourselves expressing feelings and information that has not been expressed before it can allow us to suddenly think about what we can do to improve our situation!
I would LOVE to know the following:
1. Do you have someone you can talk openly to? Does it help you?
2. It's Monday! How is work going? How is school? How is your day in general?
3. Is there anything on your mind that you would like to talk about?
@RheaBum @baylinAnderson123 @notmyselftoday @AveryLove @Daishy @SparklingSnowflake15 @WrathOfANarcSurvivor @Lonelyexpat @Asake @ASearchingSoul @AM2Wondering @softmansofthands @Walterbirdri @Energeticdime @Christina @humorousBunny2602 @adventurousbranch3786 @MusicToMyHeart @ConvivialCake614 @Breakingthewall @MotherlessMother @B1ueSunset @Mashmello @Cherrylove30 @Sandi @Embarrassed27 @LocusLillie @Cookiebutter @wontwakewontsleep @Mangosteenlover @HappyMother @plumApricot8108 @Steadyhands07 @mytwistedsoul @jaceab123 @Lunargelt @LightsOnForever @Purplebutterfly67 @HopeNChayil @Norn @sazzysnail @ItsReganingRain @Fallenwarrior1996 @tidyDime1168 @jkwon @Bayoli @Marguritep7982 @Sunnyprayers @nonethewiser @convivialBike7388 @yellowStrings2432 @SpencerAnn @dynamicwinter60 @limegreenTown8201 @purpleButterfly24 @Wilde1 @Krispykitty12 @Nobadmojo @cranberrypineapples @NkkMckenze @Zeraphim @MrStressball @Quietone8717 @NevaehRose @Ayle @Jackie @childrenofbugs @WoodViolet @sympatheticPrune2000 @CatCrazy0430 @friendlyLake5949 @ReallyRuth @rmickelpclr @Ayla @incompl @practicalIdeal2007 @Ambrosia @CaringBrit @redmark @InvaderStitch @loyalDrum2337 @FloweringBunny @affectionateNorth4018 @ArianaMay @NancySV1 @humorousBeing8966 @dynamicHemlock1736 @No715 @brokenflutterby @FangsInsanity @Compassion21 @blinkk @stella17 @Shayc1 @Redhawk6547 @MoreThanAConqueror18 @emotionalMaple9419 @Calmlake1999 @orchard9786 @Bumblebee16 @silverIceCream21 @TheHoneyDoll @Christine1980 @Hoxenos @Lilibuth12 @resourcefulPond1641 @Zombii @singercrystalspirit @sensitiveShade5337 @Rebekahwriter13 @energeticPenny8 @AMusicalSilence @HearingYourHeart @melliotm @Jenna0903 @Morfo66 @KLM3278 @Avaray
Click here to be added or removed from the taglist: https://goo.gl/forms/xAuM07mma7xCOBl42
@baylinAnderson123 Hey How are you? I love the pic
I don't have many people in real life I can be open with but I do have people here that I can talk openly here to. But I still have a hard time with it. It makes me anxious at times to let people into my head. Afraid that they see me as I see myself. I always feel better getting it out - not right away of course. I usually panic after I share things but usually after some time has passed I feel better.
Um - well it's a Monday - still fairly early here. It hasn't been too bad so far.
I hope you have a good day - take care
@mytwistedsoul Hello there my friend! I am doing just wonderful, thank you for asking! I am so glad you like the picture! I came across this picture and said, "Yep! That's the one!" I am sorry to hear that you don't have many people in real life to talk openly to but I am so very glad to hear that you have us on 7 Cups! We are a family and we will always be here to support one another and offer our kindness! I know what you mean when you say you panic right after you tell your story... I used to as well! But I love that it does always help us to say our frustrations out loud! Have a beautiful day and thank you for checking in!
@mytwistedsoul just leaving a hug if that's ok, if not I apologise ❤️
@crimsonLime6525 this is so beautiful. I know it seems little but I liked how thoughtful this was. 
1. Do you have someone you can talk openly to? Does it help you?
I mostly talk openly to people here and elsewhere online about whatever's on my mind. Depending on the context I met someone in, I can talk about some things but not about others, so I guess not completely openly.
I guess it kinda helps, but mostly just as a delay for my anger outbursts. A lot of the times a listening ear can help a lot, but sometimes I also need some kind of physical connection like a hug or just a hand to hold. And the only person I feel comfortable asking for that lives quite far away.
2. It's Monday! How is work going? How is school? How is your day in general?
I don't have work or school currently, so the days of the week are mostly arbitrary. I'm having a hard time rating today. I have the house to myself again so that's nice, but I also just feel really down and quickly agitated.
3. Is there anything on your mind that you would like to talk about?
I keep struggling with the contradictions and opposing extremes in me. For example, most of the time I prefer being alone and avoid any social interactions, but there are also short bursts of time where I just want someone to hold me and comfort me and talk about whatever my brain comes up with, even if it males no sense or it's shocking. Because of these short and sudden bursts of opposing feelings, I've put myself in pretty risky situations where I could've been seriously harmed. Because of my lack of experience I just can't tell when someone is genuine and when they just want to use me.
@Madaraismyspiritanimal Hello there friend! Thank you for your amazing, in depth, reply! I really enjoyed reading it. I am very glad that you can talk openly to people on here! Our community is a family and we want to support and offer kindness to everyone! I totally understand what you mean when you say there are times where you want to be loved and you want someone to be affectionate with you. I avoid a lot of social gatherings as well becuase of my social anxiety so I know how great it feels to be alone... and you have the house to yourself which is great! I like when I get my house to myself as well. I honestly think you have said it the best when you talked about the opposing extremes inside you... I get that 100% because I am bi polar so I have the same problem. I feel my emotions too intensly and it can get so exhausting you know?! If you ever need to really talk open, please PM me. I reply to my messages daily and I will discuss any topic with you. Thank you for checking in and have a beautiful rest of your day!
@baylinAnderson123
You're definitely right about it being exhausting, I can go cycling or hiking for hours on end and feel like I could go for hours more. But an hour with people getting on my nerves and in beat the rest of the day.
Connecting with people gets really hard when they says you can talk to them anytime, but when I tell them anything too shocking they're out. Experiences like that makes it a lot safer to just bottle up, untill that isn't possible anymore either.
@Madaraismyspiritanimal I get what you are saying 100%!!! I can walk for ten hours a day, no joke, but if you ask me to go talk to someone, I freeze up and I'm like, I don't want to do this! I'm pretty sure you know what I am talking about! And your worry about truly being able to connect with someone and being able to share your deepest secrets is totally understandable. Many topics seem to offend others which is why I make sure to provide any support a person may need, no matter the topic. I have been handling very sensitive issues since I started listening and I would more than happy to do it for you too. My listener name is @lavenderpeach1107. I reply to my all my messaged daily. Stay safe and don't forget to smile today!
@baylinAnderson123
During therapy I can say most things, my therapists will express that what I'm saying is very sad or they find it upsetting, but they never tell me to not express myself. But a therapist is obviously not a friend I can contact any day 😑
When talking to someone I don't quite freeze, but o definitely wish for it to be over sooner rather than later. And I literally will just stop talking and zone out if the topic of a group conversation doesn't interest me 🤷♂️
Thank you for offering to listen, I'll keep it in mind for when I need a listener, so far I've had some trouble finding someone I liked talking to.
First, I'd just like to say thank you. The Trauma community is the only community that I'm in who posts regularly and reliably. It is super important to me to be able to check in daily (even if I don't always do it) with constructive exercises or a place to share where someone is listening. You guys are my most important and favorite community, you help me the very most <3
1. I can talk to a few people. I can talk to most people in my life about some things, but definitely not all. The only person I can talk to about absolutely everything is my boyfriend. I really miss having a therapist, but my health insurance was having a hard time transfering over after my move. I'm gradually getting closer, but it's really hard and my life has had other priorities (like car repair, a busy job, being sick, etc.)... I'll get there eventually! It's so important to me. I'm also thinking of looking for a new Listener, since my Listener is in grad school and always really busy... I just have a hard time finding someone I mesh well with.
2. Work is incredibly stressful. I almost had an anxiety attack on my way in this morning, but I practiced my exercises and calmed myself down. I have leaarning defecits and my boss (who is also my sister-in-law) is not a nice boss at all (even though she's a very nice and fun sister-in-law). I'm doing my best, which is all I can do, but it would help if I had a professional to talk to (that I could afford).
3. Nothing special to talk about today, just kinda complaining. Haha. I'm a very positive person but it's really hard lately. It seems like everything reminds me of my trauma. I'm trying so hard. I'm so tired. Thanks for letting me vent <3
@betterchoices Hello there friend! You are very welcome and I am so glad that we can provide you with support and kindness! We are always here for you and we sure do have a great team! I am glad to hear that you do have some people in your life that you can talk to and it's very important that you can talk to your boyfriend! I can talk to my husband as well and he is always there to support me! I hope everything works out with your insurance and you are able to find a therapist. My insurance gave me the "run around" for a while and it took me a long time to get a therapist but I waited and didn't give up and I am glad I didn't!
I am sorry about the anxiety attack you had but I am so very happy that you were able to use your exercises to calm yourelf down! That is huge and I hope you are proud of yourself! If you ever need to talk, you can always send me a message! My listener name is @lavenderpeach1107. I check and reply to my messages daily! Hang in there and take it one day at at time! And please feel free to vent to me anytime! Thank you for checking in!
@baylinAnderson123 Thank you so much for all of your support, really! It means so much! I feel so safe and cared about! <3
@betterchoices You are very welcome!
@baylinAnderson123 hello baylin. good day/evening! here it is already half past 6pm and i just got home from school.
1. Do you have someone you can talk openly to? Does it help you? i do not really have someone i can openly talk to regarding any issues i might am facing. I do sometimes wish to have someone like that around me, but i guess it makes me stronger.
2. It's Monday! How is work going? How is school? How is your day in general? i just got back from school! I was there from 8am until half past 5pm... so i am sooo exhausted. I got an exam back today and i am okay with my grade. Though i can improve, so i should study tonight a bit.
3. Is there anything on your mind that you would like to talk about? not much :) just trying to relax now and finding the movitation to study after this long day!
@AveryLove thats really sweet of you baylin, though i had to edit your post for sharing another account for your own safety and its against the guidelines 
but i will keep that in mind, thank you so much!
@baylinAnderson123 Oh I am so sorry I didn't know that was against the guidelines to share my listener account with you. I won't do that again!
1. I don't really have anyone other than the people on here that I am comfortable talking about my mental health with.
2. School was fine. Still going good grade wise.
3. Came out to some friends. Things at home are still in shambles. Still being bullied. I apologize for not typing in complete sentence or like I usually do, but I am just not at my best mentally or physically.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day/week/weekend/month/year/life.
@aiko123 Hello there! I am glad to hear that you have us on here to talk to! It really helps doesn't it?! Good job on school and getting good grades... that's really important! No apologies are ever needed my friend. You type however you can and remember we are always here to support you! Thank you for checking in with me!
@baylinAnderson123
I'm not doing that great rn, had to watch a movie for college and it had some triggering things in it and I didn't know until it happened. I had to call my friend and I need to do a paper on it...
@friendlyLake5949 I'm really sorry to hear that you aren't doing well right now and that the movie was triggering for you. You weren't expecting it and I'm sure that only made it worse. I am glad to hear that you called your friend about it. Maybe your friend could also help you with the paper or maybe you could speak to your instructor about it if the paper is too hard to write. Thank you for checking in with me remember that our community is here to support you!
@baylinAnderson123
I have one person online that I can be open with. No one irl.
Things are complicated at work.
@RedHawk6547 I'm sorry to hear that you don't have anyone to talk openly to in real life but I am glad to hear that you have someone on here! I am lucky to have someone I can talk to on 7 Cups too! I hope that work gets better for you and thank you for checking in with me!
@baylinAnderson123
1. Do you have someone you can talk openly to? Does it help you?
No - I don't, well, not in real life. I am also kinda scared to do that and open up to other people. I used to but I kinda messed things up/
2. It's Monday! How is work going? How is school? How is your day in general?
Both work and school are going terrible - I haven't gotten anything done for either - just sick of it. It's been a lot worse. I'm alive at least.
3. Is there anything on your mind that you would like to talk about?
How stupid it is that I want change but get stuck in being to scared to go for it.. how to find or make friends - a qestion.
@ASearchingSoul Hello there friend! First off I wanted to say I'm sorry for how you are feeling right now and also that you don't have any one in real life to open up to. Are you able to open up on here to listeners? I really like what you said about how you are alive! That is a very positive thought so great job! And I just want you to know that it's not stupid at all about wanting to change but being stuck. I know that stuck feeling and being scared to truly open up to somone. It's a frightening thought! Just know that our community is here to support you and thank you so much for checking in with me!