Traumatic Experiences Community Daily Check-in: Monday September 24th
Welcome to Monday Trauma Community!
How are you feeling today? Do you like checking in with colors or do you prefer the 1-10 scale? Maybe you have an entirely different tactic. Let me know!
If you missed yesterday's check-in, you still have time to join in the A-Z's of Self-Care in the thread if you'd like.
For today's check-in, I'd like to talk about... Check-Ins! There have been some articles and studies I have read that speak to the benefits of having a daily routine or a set task that you do every day. This got me to thinking about our daily check-ins and how you feel about having this routine here in the Trauma Community.
- What are the benefits to having a daily check-in?
- Do you find that daily check-ins are beneficial to your mental health and wellbeing?
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Hi @Kate just an FYI the first portion (including my handle) is missing: @InvaderStitch @redmark @Avaray @Shadeshack @BeeLeigh @Faeryschild @Lavendermoonlight @KLM3278 @jr50 @PhoenixPatronus @Morfo66 @raychascotch @KatieMoon1 @Tamba @Jenna0903 @melliotm @PanamaBanana
As for check ins, they are the foundation of this community, even for those of us who don't necessarily post to them on a daily basis. I hope this isn't a trial balloon signaling their potential discontinuation. ⛺
@melliotm No plans for discontinuing at all! Just thought it would be good to hear about the value of them. I actually think this community's daily check-ins are very important and a great example to other communities.
@melliotm
I was worried that's what this was, too. But didn't think to voice it. Thanks for doing so.
@singercrystalspirit
I'm silently nodding in agreement.
@practicalIdeal2007
I've been sad the check-ins have been so quiet.
@singercrystalspirit I'm just glad to have confirmed that it was merely an earnest, innocent query on @kate's part and not a veiled portent of further disruption on the horizon 😉 With the community still in flux I find that it's difficult at times to avoid reflexively bracing oneself for the worst.
@melliotm
Well said and I identify with that, for sure.
@Kate
You and others can see how someone is feeling or if they need help
Well sometimes checking in is good and sometimes it is a pain, when you are feeling disconnected
No harm meant
@scarletPear1945 Thanks for your honesty! That's why I asked. I want to hear how check-ins help. And if they aren't helpful, that's ok too!
@Kate
Kate, maybe I should explain myself a bit better{
Most of the time I look forward to the check-ins, the reason they become a pain sometimes is that if you are a part of multiple groups they are all sending check-in tags. If you miss one communities check-in, it will keep tagging you till yo respond. It's like email over flow if you get what I am trying to say.
But the Trauma dept. kept me afloat most of the time when my ship was sinking. I asked how to keep from getting tagged so much they said unjoin some of the groups which I tried to do bt I kept getting overflow. So I just started deleting them but they come back
@Kate
I find them helpful if my replies are read, and if I am empathetically and caringly responded to. Responses like this helped me tremendously along my journey, learning that people do care and will stick around.
If my responses receive no reply, I feel it's detrimental and I'll benefit more from placing my energies elsewhere, somewhere I'll receive something back in return.
@singercrystalspirit Thank you for your feedback! I agree, having someone take the time to actually respond to your post is incredibly important. I will do better at working to respond as well.
@Kate
Not a problem! Happy to chime in.
Today I am overwhelmed. I started a PHP today. My anxiety was awful and I wasn't sure I would even make it there. But I did and made it through the rest of the day. Tonight I am reading over the coursework. I am concerned about the exposure therapy part. Using mindfulness and grounding techniques to stay present and calm myself down.
I like numbers. They're just easier.
Sometimes I can't even find words when I come check in, but I can upvote a post if I'm feeling similarly. And I guess I don't feel so alone when I see the same names a lot.
@affectionateNorth4018 Congratulations for making it through the appointment and the day! I'm glad to know there are people like you in the community who find value in seeing and reading the check-ins, even if they don't respond every day.
@Kate
Thank you. The program is 6-8 weeks long followed by 2-4 weeks of intensive outpatient work. I hope I have the strength to do this. 🙁
I like check-ins they help me think about my day and maybe think about stuff I wouldn't normally. I dunno often make me feel connected to the world around me a bit more.
Worked out today that the smell of rooibos tea is a big trigger for me. Haven't been near any for 5 years now and yeh, I remember why I've avoided it. Wasn't so fun to discover at work but quite proud of how I coped. I even managed to force myself to drink a cup of it just to prove to myself my triggers don't control me. Don't think I'll be going near it again but yeh.
Feeling kinda blue/purple today, calm with a bit of background anxiety but also kinda proud of myself which is nice for once. Did a presentation at work today and everyone said it was really good even though I hate doing them and felt I messed it up!!! So pleased with that :)
@Lilibuth12 Nice work on getting through the presentation! Interesting that you brought up scent and the smell of that specific tea as being triggering. I was thinking about making today's check-in about what smells bring up positive thoughts or what scents help us relax but changed it to a check-in about check-ins instead.
@Kate
I find smells are one of the most powerful senses for me, smells can transport me back in time alarmingly fast!!! Perfumes, food/drinks, those kinda things are often triggers for me. Once smelt a guy on the tube wearing a similar cologne that was awful. I don't like strong smells anway so I guess that makes sense.
@Kate
I have trouble defining what color I am for the day so numbers are easier for me. I appreciate the daily check in. I don't post very often (working on that). I read them every day and feel better knowing I'm not alone.
@RedHawk6547 Glad to know you read them even if you don't always respond. Which is completely ok! Don't ever feel like you 'have' to respond.
How are you feeling today? I'm doing better today.
Do you like checking in with colors or do you prefer the 1-10 scale? I have done both. . . Today I'm feeling peach and 6 with energy. I actually slept ten hours in a row.
@Rebekahwriter13 Peach is a lovely color. Glad you were feeling a bit better yesterday! How did today go?
@Kate I've been sleeping a lot so much that my day and night schedule are off, but I seen to feel been been 4pm to 4am
It's been a stressful day and weekend.
I feel kinda bitter so I guess grey or red.
I'm so tired of everything
@wittySpruce8187
Seems like times are though. Hope it passes soon, you deserve some peace
Hi I'm still here. Why does getting professional help hurt so much deeper?
I guess familiarity with check ins may be comforting but concerning if I start to rely on it
@humorousBeing8966
I get the being concerned of relying on it, and it also tells me that its hard to trust it completley yet, with all the turbulence that has been going on both here and I guess in your life, that makes very much sense, I think thats the same for many of us, an inner conflict, wanting to belong but not rely on or depend. Is there a way you can find a balance there, some in between relying on and isolating/pulling back? I hope this place will keep proving itself, but I get the wanting to be safe in case of all the what ifs...
@LoveFromSara
It's hard to find that empowering inner voice when I'm with people...but then again when I'm alone the inner voices seem to tell me bad things...
