Traumatic Experiences Community Daily Check-in: Saturday, 27th of July, 2019
Happy Saturday to you all amazing people! I am so happy to hear from you once again. 
How are you feeling today? :)
How has this week been for you? Do you have anything you would like to share about it? :)
I have had a bit of a tough week bringing up some anxiety and other feelings but I have made through it. I mean, I think we all do have those weeks which are just tough and really all you can do is get through them.
I have the bad habit tho of being too hard with myself and not allowing myself to just have a bad day or week or whatever but I do really try my best to allow myself to sometimes just make it through a day or two without really achieving anything big or even allow myself to make mistakes.
I mean, it is okay if you may not have the best day, not making all that much of a progression in recovery sometimes or even relapse. I know it can be a really tough feeling but recovery is just such, it is not linear so there is nothing wrong with your path to recovery being a bit bumpy at times. :)
If you think about it, even the concept of a "relapse" or "fall-back" is only a thing because you have been working so hard. The only reason that you might be able to relapse is all the hard work and progression you have made and that is something nobody can take away from you. That is something that is just making me so special and amazing. I am really proud of all of you trying your absolute best every single day silently winning so many battles! :)
What is a recent little victory of yours? Let us celebrate you together! :)
Of course, as always, all of the above questions are optional and there is no pressure on you to answer any of them. It is perfectly fine if you would just like to say hi or sit around with us - also, we have a great supply of safe hugs as well for whoever might need them. :)
We are just glad to have you here with us, no matter what.
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@redmark
You know, your words about relapse being a part of the recovery process have had a big impact on me a few days ago. I am more compassionate towards myself now when it happens. Thank you...
Hey there @admaiorasemper *offering safe hugs*
It is always really nice to hear from you around here!
Aww, I am sooo happy that I might have been able to help. You do definitely deserve all that compassion from yourself and I am glad that you give it that for yourself now :)
Stay awesome!
A recent victory of mine was claiming something unpleasant and turning it into a positive! I have a very active imagination (I'm an atrist by trade) and mix that with trauma and it can conjure up some pretty unpleasant images! I often have spooky flashes of things when I close my eyes, which can interfere with sleep. Lately, however, I've been trying this new thing where I draw what I see... I ended up making some cool artwork out of it! I've never done anything like that before so it was a very formative experience for me!
Hey there @betterchoices *offering safe hugs*
We are really glad to have you here with us!
Ohh....I have actually been trying to write things out in a similar way and it can definitely be really helpful if you have some outlet to get all that "out of your system". I mean, drawing them sounds like such an amazing way as well. Art, overall, is just such an awesome tool to help you express your emotions as well and I am really happy to hear that you have found it useful for you. - Also, I think it is really awesome that you are an artist, I know that it does require a lot of hard work and I thinkt it is very amazing that some peope are so dedicated. Also, art is just awesome to look at, listen to or experience as an "outsider" so I always thought that it is just amazing that someone can make such things :)
Stay awesome!
@redmark Thanks so much <3 Good luck with your writing!
This week has been up and down. While I'm still struggling with some pretty basic stuff (executive function/organizing my life is just a huge mountain right now), receiving some validation that this is a normal consequence of processing what I've been dealing with was such a comfort. I took some time to go "make stuff" at my local maker space. I had a project and the work kept me focused enough that it was a really welcome and refreshing mental break. I realized that in the fall through spring, I sing in a choir--and I am not a trained or a particularly good singer, so reading the music, learning the parts, takes my whole brain and gives me respite and refreshment. But we take a break in summer, and I haven't had that regular mental rest for awhile. Guess that could have been a contributing factor to my recent breakdown.
A therapist had suggested I take note of the things I make or create or craft as I am going through this. At first, I thought that was kind fo silly. But like the artist above, I'm finding that even if I didn't realize, there are some connections. I just finished a knitted blanket that used up bits and pieces of left over yarn that had been collecting for years. Making something useful out of bits and bobs others might consider trash. It's really pretty and I've been sleeping under it since it was about half done. Thought I'd make some leather labels to put on handwork I make as gifts this year, finding that the tag invloves a lot of symbols of my identity. Little clues and lessons everywhere I guess.
Generally hate the idea of routine--I like to think I enjoy life more with spontaneity and freshness, but been broke and stressed, and things like going to the farmer's market instead of the grocery for local veg, making sure I take time for myself as a routine, these things do provide some comfort.
Hey there @optimisticWheel6113 *offering safe hugs*
It is really nice to hear from you around here!
I am sorry to hear that you have had such a tough week. I know that it can be really hard sometimes to be compassionate with ourselves but I am really glad to hear that you do recognize yourself and all the effort that you make right now processing all that you have been through and you do allow yourself to process it without pushing yourself too much on other fields of your life too much. :)
It sounds really nice that you have a place where you can go and something you can just get lost. It is definitely important to have something, some way you can take a break for all those thoughts and feelings and just be in the moment and do whatever you do like to do. Practicing for that choir does definitely sound pretty nice as well as just a great way to just get that sort of a break and allow yourself to recharge a little bit while doing so :)
Using art as a therapeutic way to express yourself I think sounds really nice. I do have something towards art as well. I do not know what, I am not particularly well at any sort of art but I just like to doodle sometimes as well or pick up a guitar. It sure can feel nice to express yourself and to have a way to work through those emotions. I mean that little story with those leftover yarns it actually sounds really amazing. I think it is true that some people might overlook those but I am sure that blanket has to really look awesome and has to be really nice to just sleep under. Also, that little project to make gifts to others with that little personal touch sounds really awesome as well and thoughtful! :)
Hmm....some routine can be good in your life but not to the point where every single second of your life is going by a schedule. I suppose it is generally the same with almost anything, a modest amount can be nice to have but when it grows on you too much it can become really tough. With that said, I am really glad to hear that you do start to find that sort of balance in your life lately :)
Stay awesome!
How are you feeling today? :)I feel well, overwhelmed, and productive. I wrote over 3600 on my novel (I plan to finish it tomorrow.) went to a picnic and tried Cambodian food,
How has this week been for you? It's been up and down, I have survival and I mediated.
Do you have anything you would like to share about it? :) I feel better than I have in over two years. Please send vibes and prayers, I like someone new, but he has a lot on his plate and I feel I keep getting pushed aside. He said he likes me too but he had issues with work and previous family issues. (send prayers that his issues work out right.)
Hey there @Rebekahwriter13 *offering safe hugs*
We are really glad to have you here with us!
Oh, it sure feels like a lot of things. I am really happy to hear that you have been able to make such an amazing progression with your novel as well going out to the fresh air and trying some new food sounds really nice :)
On the other hand, I can imagine that it has to be tough that you have someone you love like that who is going through a lot. I do really hope that things will work out for him and that you will be able to spend more time together and I will definitely send all the good vibes that I can in his way :)
Stay awesome!
@redmark thank you. . . Hugs