Traumatic Experiences Community Daily Check-in Tuesday 27th June 2017
Good morning all!
Its really been enjoyable to see the entries in the poster competition and thank you for participating. Such a wealth of talent among us! And amazing but not surpriising how pictures can convey thoughts, feelings, ideas, concepts ... I started to reflect on this (and those who know me will know i do a lot of reflecting.) Recovery from trauma includes tellling our story,putting the fragments that haunt us into a coherent narrative.Most often this is viewed as talking in a relationship where there is safety and trust. But what when the "talking cure" doesn't seem to be working?
I remember years ago i was sitting with a young woman who just wasn't able to express her self,respond to my questions or ideas. So we sat there and although I don't mind silence, a whole hour was not going to be good for either of us. On an impulse I passed her the pen and paper and said "maybe write it." Well she wrote and wrote .. the words just flowed... this was her way. For another it may be in pictures that they are able to tell their story and express what is inaccessible in words. Music too can help to navigate feelings that defy words.. read an intersting idea of making a playlist of music that reflected the different stages in the journey. Then there is movenment, dance,yoga.. and you can probably think of others;
Wondering how its going for you today? and inviting you to reflect on what's been helpful for you... is it writing art, music dance or other...and what do you think may be helpful going into the future? Do share your thoughts and ideas.. just may provide inspiration for someone!. 
Music, my therapist, and @agreeableKite4304 have helped me more than anything else. Also, having an employer who doesn't seem to care when I have days where I sit and do nothing, or that I show up 5-10mins late nearly every single day. Today started off on kind of a downer though. We had a 1yr old on service who died last night, and today would've been her 2nd birthday 😕
@BeeLeigh ugh so sorry to hear that -- my heart goes out to all, including yourself.
@BeeLeigh
Oh Bee, that's must me rough. How are you doing today?
@BeeLeigh
Oh tht is so sad...thinking of you.
Thank you @TreesandWine, @melliotm, @MKJart, and @rozie! It's never fun when the kids die (not that hospice is a "fun" job anyway), but we're the only hospice in the area that takes kids. Our little one who passed yesterday isn't even the youngest we've lost 😕
It wasn't a terrible day though. I got to go out and do some running around for a bit, picking up a few things for the office. And I got a lot of my backed up work completed, so that was good. I feel like it should be Friday already though, and it's only Tuesday 🙃
I'm struggling a lot lately.Especially when it comes to living here and now, moving on, focusing on the present and things that I must do in order to provide for myself, my needs and so instead of reliving all the memories and drowning in the waves of accumulated emotions that are washing all over me.I feel like this will never end.I fel tired and fed up.I don't want to be this way.
The thing that I do find the most helpful is to talk, reflect, let it all out, make some art, change the environment even if only for a little while.Also resisting the urge to isolate myself and hide myself when I'm this way helps.It's easier to not be all alone.Going out, even despite the immense fear of people, can also help.
@Morfo66
I'm happy you're here Morfo. Just being here in this community will help keep you less isolated I think. Art is an amazing healer and I hope it brings you some relief.
Take care,
Mary
@Morfo66
Yes it is a struggle at times and we get tired of it. As you say, don't want to be like this... we understand. Yet you are being resourceful in your reflecting and art and changing the environment to get a little break. And good for you resisiting the urge to isolate... that's not easy... and we are glad you are here with us.:)
@rozie
Thanks Rozie, I find art, music and writing all helpful in expressing what can at times have no words that want to come. Drawing, painting or sculpting for me, usually proceeds the words that allow me to write and make things a cohisive- or at least more cohesive narrative.
Music just inspires me, different generas and decades may change what my body wants to hear on any given day. Usually I feel it as a resonance in my body and words that strike a mood.
I continue to try new things all the time and am amazed at what exploring has shown me about myself and how I process things.
Have a great day, Mary
@MKJart
Love the way you describe trying new things Mary! And how in exploring it shows you about your self and how you process.
Ans music resomates with you... music is coming through here with many of us.
Heya @rozie:
Wondering how its going for you today? and inviting you to reflect on what's been helpful for you... is it writing art, music dance or other...and what do you think may be helpful going into the future?
I'm going to look at today from a positive angle, without denying my struggles. Despite still dealing with a recent uptick in trauma symptoms, I was able to clean out the cat litter and to shower. I ate breakfast, and I'm psyching myself up for a late lunch ASAP. As for what is helpful for me, one constant throughout my life has been musical performance/writing (going back for decades now). It's something I really need to get back into, once i am ready to leave the house again.
(My friend has a home music studio where I can avail myself of instruments and recording equipment. Just a matter of coordinating schedules and feeling safe/confident enough to venture out of my sanctuary and such.)
@melliotm
What a great opportunity. Sounds really fun and I look forward to hearing how it goes. A music playground!
@melliotm
Gald you are looking at today positively wihtout dening your struggles Melli. You know that one constant in your life may be a key... when you are ready.
Music and writing are what always helped me the most
Something about conveyin my thoughts in a different form is comforting.
@Melody293
Yes agree, as you say, there is something about conveying thoughts in adifferent form that is comforting.
Today, this week, this month...I'm the silent one. I try multiple ways to communicate, but nothing is really coming out. It's like im there and i guess the only way im able to communicate is with my eyes, posture, and lack of expression. That's where i am. i try to write, i try to do yoga, i try listening to music, all other forms of self care....but i keep ending up back here silent, but unlike your story, there's no one sitting here with me.
@niceMoon4358 Know that at times it can be like this and feel for you... I hear how you are trying to find a way...and i wish there was someone sitting there with you. I hope that being here with us will give some comfort and encouragement.
Today was good until this evening. Now I just feel sick with worry. So tired of things looking like they're going to go right only to go differently. Tired of holding my breath and living with fingers crossed but it doesn't look like I'm done yet.
I hope I sleep tonight. I should've called my P.A. for an anxiety med. I wish I hadn't have blocked my Listener. Surely it will be alright? It's always been alright before. It's got to be alright. I couldn't tell anyone if I wanted I don't think so this rambling is as close as it gets.
@themainjane
Jane, all you have to do is log in on the computer, go to "My Settings", scroll down to "Manage Blocked Connections", and then hit "Unblock" to unblock her. It's really easy! You could probably even do it from the safari app or chrome app on your phone :)
@BeeLeigh
i don't have any options like that under settings on my phone.
@themainjane
Okay, I have an iPhone, and when I log in to my 7cups account on my safari app, it gives me all the same options I get on the computer :)
@BeeLeigh
Thank you so much for trying. Nothing can be done now anyway. Another waiting game.
As for 7 cups I need to probably submit a troubleshooting form but I'm stupidly paranoid and just won't.
@themainjane
I just need to not exist for awhile. I'm not going to do anything stupid. Going to try and sleep. Probably need a hammer for that.
