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Weekly Prompt #36: Can you list five things you love about yourself?
by ASilentObserver
Last post
 6 hours ago
...See more Hello all!  Last week we discussed: What healthy coping mechanisms do you use to manage difficult emotions? [https://www.7cups.com/forum/generalsupport/General_2440/WeeklyPrompt35Whathealthycopingmechanismsdoyouusetomanagedifficultemotions_326804/]  [https://www.7cups.com/forum/generalsupport/General_2440/WeeklyPrompt30Ifyoucanchallengeyourselfforonethingtostepoutsideyourcomfortzone_321887/]If you haven't checked yet, please click here to add your thoughts.  [https://www.7cups.com/forum/generalsupport/General_2440/WeeklyPrompt35Whathealthycopingmechanismsdoyouusetomanagedifficultemotions_326804/] This week's prompt-  Can you list five things you love about yourself?  We often find it easier to criticize ourselves rather than celebrate our strengths. But it is okay to practice self-love and acknowledge the positive qualities that make us unique individuals. So, let's reflect and list five things we love about ourselves. Also, I invite all to help me with creating these weekly prompt discussions so that we all can come together and discuss something related to general support every week. If you any interested in helping me out, please share your interest through this form and  I will reach out to you to guide and support you in creating the next discussion.  [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefjDBwy85YFxWpfrqrdXbdMORBC-pvJA4xhd10R9lMq66fIw/viewform] Join us in the 24/7 General Support Group Chat to share and support each other. -------------------------
[Listeners] Farewell/Taking a Break/Returning Thread: Send Your Regards
by MonBon
Last post
 April 18th
...See more This is the public support counterpart of this thread [http://www.7cups.com/forum/ListenersOnlyForums_38/ListenerSelfCare_95/FarewellTakingaBreakReturningThreadSendYourRegards_4132/1/] [L] so that listeners can let the whole community know if they are leaving or if they have come back. Below excerpt taken and modified from the original thread: Some Listeners decide, at one point or another, to take a break or in special cases to leave the site as a Listener. During their time here they may have made connections with others in the community and sometimes people aren't aware that they have left or are misinformed and thus never get the opportunity to sent their warm wishes. Thus, this thread is meant for Listeners to inform the community that they are leaving or taking a break and leave their appropriate comments for others to read. Moreover, returning Listeners can post here as well to inform the community that they are active again. Returning to 7 Cups after a break? We have a welcome Back Committee now, you can find information here [https://www.7cups.com/forum/ListenerLearningJourney_149/WelcomeZone_2385/WelcomeBackCommittee_295611/] (clickable), and reach out. Your peers and mentors are here for you. <3 Lastly, others in the community can send their regards to these Listeners. [L] indicates a Listeners Only thread [Welcome back committee information added by Sunisshiningandsoareyou, 02/10/23]
NAMI Oath
by Kate
Last post
 April 6th
...See more Any new member of the NAMI Community who introduces themselves and takes the NAMI Oath will receive the NAMI Oath Badge. Please copy, paste, sign and date the following NAMI Oath within this thread: NAMI Oath I pledge a moral oath before my fellow active listeners, 7 Cups members and NAMI supporters. I pledge to help support NAMI's mission and to dedicate myself to building better lives for anyone affected by mental illness. I pledge to always try my best to be a positive influence and make a difference in the lives of others. I pledge to be #stigmafree and respectful of anyone who may be experiencing a mental health challenge. I will educate, advocate and listen to others' experiences without judgment or bias. I will encourage acceptance and understanding. When I see that someone needs more than the peer support I can provide, I will refer them to professional help and appropriate resources. I pledge to make my own self-care a priority and recognize when I need to take extra time to take care of my own mental health. I will keep these promises and I will do everything in my power to promote mental health, healing, and wellness within myself, my fellow members and my world. I believe that no one should face mental illness alone and I pledge to provide peer support to anyone who reaches out to the NAMI Community for help. Signed: Date:
Thoughts on therapist
by AverageJoe718
Last post
 37 minutes ago
...See more I've been seeing my therapist for a few months now and generally we get along well but I've been going through a lot recently so our sessions haven't been productive. My therapist has a very laid back approach and talks to me like I'm just another buddy of his but gets professionally when the topic becomes more serious or we find an important point to touch on. The reason for this post is there have been certain moments that stood out as odd to me. Sometimes he's given me advice or broke down how to interpret certain situations then says "If you don't believe me. Then you can fire me and find someone else. But any good therapist will tell you the same" or "Trust me. I'm an expert on all of this". He has also shared his own troubles with anxiety as well as once sharing the medications he takes himself, this was mentioned during the possibility of me needing medication at some point and reassuring that there isn't anything wrong with it. Does this strike as odd/red flag? Or am I overthinking things? Therapy is new to me and this is my first therapist. Thank you for any replies.
Bye
by Poeticmoonlight113
Last post
 3 hours ago
...See more I have no reason to actually be on cups anymore, I annoy the listeners and they get sick of me. I lost all my friends and the only people that were keeping me going on here. People left all at once and it hurts but I dont blame them. Its my fault I get to attached, it's my fault that my heart breaks so easily. It's my fault that I'm just a pest. People pretend they care. They care for 5 mins and then get sick of me. Some just block me without any reason. I have no friends, ive accepted that. I won't force people to like or care about me. I won't force people to stay in my life but why people walk into my life and then walk straight out. I dont get it, I probably never will.  I know im not the easiest kid to deal with. I know im just a useless idiot that no one ever believes. There's more to my life that I don't tell, things that would connect all the *** events but whats the point of even sharing them 🤷‍♀️ people break my trust and shatter my heart so easily and they don't even care but the point is.... Im leaving cups, maybe I'll return in September when I age up to the other side but for now I just give up with trying to get support and trying to pretend that my friends will return and want to talk to me. So I will be signing out of my account today. I won't be deleting it but I will be deleting the app which is how I get the notifications. Not tagging anyone because there's no point so yeah bye and if im alive still by time it's my birthday then maybe ill return but im done with trying lately. Helplines don't care about me. People on here don't, no one in real life does so why should I bother trying to get mental health support 🤷‍♀️ Sooooooo bye 👋  (I'll check my account for the next few days maybe but after I wont be using it)
Ugh!!!
by Aishah0812
Last post
 4 hours ago
...See more I'm so effin frustrated right now it's not even funny!
Worried about subreddit
by Forestryheart
Last post
 4 hours ago
...See more Not sure how many atheist are here. But I’m worried I’m like does toxic ones on r/atheism. As I frequented that subreddit. A few times, and I recently came across a video talking about toxic subreddits. And their one was on there. What makes someone a toxic atheist or anyone on the subreddit, I’m afraid I’m bad like the people on the subreddit.
If you weren't tagged pls don't read or respond ❤
by Poeticmoonlight113
Last post
 4 hours ago
...See more @FaithfulZareia @AnnaSilverberg @DanCat1128 @iloveyouxx @Sunisshiningandsoareyou @Optimisticempath {If I forgot someone feel free to tag} I tagged y'all as this just gonna be my update thread for my current situation and this gonna be like a sorry thread too (ignore if u didnt want to be tagged)        TW// SH, schizophrenia, Attempts I'm not okay, I'm a complete mess. I don't know what's going on with me, I won't take my meds for my schizophrenia ( Don't judge ) my head hasn't been okay between my age regression and flashback things ( idk what to call them ) and now I've just not been feeling like myself like I'm not me and just dumped in a random body that isn't mine yet idk what I am.  My self harm has gotten so so bad lately to the point that I'm hurting so much from it but it's my own fault for doing it in the first place. I've had 2 recent attempts and been a bit suicidal lately (I'm okay now) I'm just like bleh atm.  Ive been turning to my drawing again as I can't think of words right now and that's all I've really been doing. My drawings have been kinda dark especially the ones I did today 😞 I've ruined my whole life cos I'm just a self destructive idiot and I have no future whatsoever which sucks cos no matter how many times I say I don't want to live I do want to live...its just hard too I need a job or something to keep me distracted and also so I can make a new new life or something. I want to work with elderly in the future in one of those homes yet I can't get a job because I can't *** talk irl (sounds stupid but it's complicated) Every night I've been crying just like I am now, I've ruined myself over and over and over and now I'm just like *** this why am I doing all this too myself 🙁 So if I seem off lately or anything then I don't mean to be I promise, I'm just really not okay mentally and physically right now 💔 Sorry for the long post...
Weekly Prompt #36: Can you list five things you love about yourself?
by ASilentObserver
Last post
 6 hours ago
...See more Hello all!  Last week we discussed: What healthy coping mechanisms do you use to manage difficult emotions? [https://www.7cups.com/forum/generalsupport/General_2440/WeeklyPrompt35Whathealthycopingmechanismsdoyouusetomanagedifficultemotions_326804/]  [https://www.7cups.com/forum/generalsupport/General_2440/WeeklyPrompt30Ifyoucanchallengeyourselfforonethingtostepoutsideyourcomfortzone_321887/]If you haven't checked yet, please click here to add your thoughts.  [https://www.7cups.com/forum/generalsupport/General_2440/WeeklyPrompt35Whathealthycopingmechanismsdoyouusetomanagedifficultemotions_326804/] This week's prompt-  Can you list five things you love about yourself?  We often find it easier to criticize ourselves rather than celebrate our strengths. But it is okay to practice self-love and acknowledge the positive qualities that make us unique individuals. So, let's reflect and list five things we love about ourselves. Also, I invite all to help me with creating these weekly prompt discussions so that we all can come together and discuss something related to general support every week. If you any interested in helping me out, please share your interest through this form and  I will reach out to you to guide and support you in creating the next discussion.  [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefjDBwy85YFxWpfrqrdXbdMORBC-pvJA4xhd10R9lMq66fIw/viewform] Join us in the 24/7 General Support Group Chat to share and support each other. -------------------------
7 Cups feels one-sided and meaningless
by ThoughtsBubbleExpress
Last post
 9 hours ago
...See more While being a listener I try to do my part of helping 7 Cups as however much I can through online and offline outreach. Referring to people in need. Following the 7 cups socials etc. But I don't think I'm getting the same support back. On March 17th, 2024, I started my Psychology themed I n 's t a g r a m page. Being a Psychology student to share everything that I've learned, raise awareness help spread the word further, and break stigma. Once I posted on a few forums to promote this new page of mine as it would help me if I could reach a new audience to help me with my mission, and it got deleted by the forum managers as it was possible to search my personal account as it was mentioned in the bio of the Psychology account (FYI My personal account has always been private, meaning that no one could access any of my personal images and misuse them etc) I accepted that decision with respect and utmost understanding. Later on after removing my personal username from my psychology account bio, again in hopes of gaining some support from friends who visit my profile, I wrote a short note, mentioning my username on my 7 Cups Listener Profile Page bio section. Which serves as my personal space. It wasn't that I wanted to promote the page for personal gains or I was sharing my personal images out there. A few days later when I checked my 7 Cups bio for some reason, that Promotion note mentioning my username was vanished. My personal profile page got manipulated by the admins here and the reason is unknown for now. Being on 7 Cups feels meaningless, as if I'm just giving out my all without receiving any support back. All the rules and regulations for Listeners are suffocating me. I'm posting this on the forum knowing that it might get deleted too. But I just had to say this. I don't care if I get kicked out of here.
New
by courageousglitter2931
Last post
 13 hours ago
...See more hey y’all! So I have a lot going on so I’m just gonna start from the beginning. I am currently 32(33 in September)and I was diagnosed with Multple Sclerosis when I was 23. I have accepted that my life is different day to day and I’ve adapted to challenges that come my way. But the biggest thing that affected me was not being able to drive. With that went my freedom. Always having to ask people for rides or being on someone else’s time. I just hate it. Now that I have a 3 year old I’m constantly worrying about him getting older because we know growing up you want to go anywhere but home. and I won’t be able to do it. It doesn’t matter how bad I want to it’s just not happening. So I’ve come to terms with that situation so young dumb me got married when I was 23 because my dad was dying. I wanted him to see who I would spend the rest of my life with. I thought it would ease his mind that I would have someone there to help me(diagnosed with Multple Sclerosis about 4 months earlier) So we got married in the hospital. The night we got married my dad was alert and active. Then later that night slipped into a coma and died 3 days later. now fast forward 6-7 years. I was cheated on and very hurt but that’s a different story. Not only did I get a divorce I lost my childhood best friend of 20+ years because I was letting off some built up anger and frustration ranting to her. Then she told her bf what I said. I got a text from him saying how bad of a person I was and to never speak to her again. I tried reaching out but she never responded. So I have not seen or talked to her since. wow I’m sorry. Did not realize this was so long and there is still more story as to why I’m reaching out and trying therapy. So goodbye for now. Thank you for reading! If you have questions feel free to message me.
Struggling with Self-Esteem due to Acne
by exuberantBlackberry9105
Last post
 16 hours ago
...See more I am a teenager, and have been struggling with acne since I was ten and a half. I have a darker skin tone, which means I also have a lot of PIH. All this has been severely affecting my self esteem, especially since my parents are very unsupportive for my acne and PIH. I have tried getting a good skincare routine. I currently use a good cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen every single day. I call them "good" because they work for my skin well and get the job done without irritation. I wash my face before bed. I change my towels often. I have also started using 2% salicylic acid on my face every night since January. I still have acne, and there have been very little improvement if at all there as been any. As I have mentioned, I am a teen and my parents will NOT take me to a derm. So please do not tell me that I need to see one. I have been considering using Adapalene gel. (If you have any other ingredient suggestions, please let me know.) I know that 0.1% Adapalene is an FDA approved OTC treatment for acne. However, for some unknown reason, in my country, India, Adapalene gel is available only my prescription in online pharmacies (like 1mg). Surprisingly enough, adapalene + clindamycin gel is VERY easily available without prescription, literally everywhere. To add to this, tretinoin is also very easily available everywhere without prescription in India. It being India, though, rules aren't ever rules and most prescription-only drugs are easily available at offline pharmacies without prescription. I believe this probably holds true for adapalene as well. So can someone please help me with choosing a retinoid? Which one should I use? * Adapalene (Online pharmacy: Rx only; Offline pharmacy: likely OTC) * Adapalene + Clindamycin (Online pharmacy: almost always OTC; Offline pharmacy: likely OTC) * Tretinoin (Online pharmacy: mostly OTC, though Rx versions are available; Offline pharmacy: likely OTC) * Or is retinol a better choice? * Any other effective ingredients?
Trigger warning. My ask for help
by Tinywhisper11
Last post
 18 hours ago
...See more Say alone in a cold dark cage, Knowing they will be back soon I really wish someone had cared someone had known The pain I was going through. Memories of a haunted past bring visions to my mind Trying to heal my inner child, who had been left behind. My story not completely told, many secrets I have kept. I sleep with the door locked, curled as closely to the wall as possible, You took away my innocence left me disabled and scarred. I was just your toy to scared to even speak When I say I'm sorry, it still feels like Please don't hurt me. How do I close theese wounds? How do I stop the pain? 😢😢
Meditation
by Bluered200
Last post
 22 hours ago
...See more Hello,  I have tried meditating quite a lot of times.. but failed to include it as my routine, but now its been 7 days since I am doing meditation,,, how? I have started small, 4 minutes a day and also I have been using habit stacking method! I feel more accomplished now :) there is an app called atom, It has helped me so much... (there is subscription fee in there but meditation thing is free) it is a course for 1 year...  here is the link to it if you wish :)  Atom [https://referral.atomei.app/invite/NHzUpfVLQ63F3MWt5] I would like to know your experiences from meditation! have a good day!
a question
by slowdecline48
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more We all have reasons for being on/in Cups-Land. For us members those reasons are almost always bad to horrible--the more you read in the forums & the more you hang out in the chat rooms, the more you know this truth. I am no exception. I got to thinking about it, & came to the following: Are you here because you decided to join 7Cups, or are you here because your problems brought you here? That is, did you make a choice or was it your fate to wind up on the site? Is human agency real or is it an illusion held by bipedal organisms influenced by environment & heredity? I lean toward the 2nd answer, even though it feels like we make our own decisions. What do you think? Please explain your answer as best you can.

Hello everyone! smiley

Welcome to the General Support sub-community, we are glad to welcome you here. You can seek support on a variety of topics such as: getting unstuck, long-term support & boundaries, managing emotions, mental health & awareness, physical health & awareness, grief and loss, self-care support, and stigma support.

* We want to get to know you better :) Introduce yourself here.

* Join the General Support Taglist here.

* Share your thoughts in our daily check-in. 

* Join our weekly guided discussion in the General Support chat room every Sunday 1pm GMT. We support you during Sharing Circle and Small Steps towards Healthy Habits sessions too. 

Come learn about coping skills for various situations and share with us what you have learned. We are happy you are stopping by! heart

Community Guidelines

* Be kind and respectful. 

*Please always add a trigger warning if your topic might be triggering to users. 

*Please refrain from graphic content.

*Please avoid double posting (If you have double posted, please contact @CheeryMango)

*Please avoid swearing as this can be triggering for users.  

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❣ Submit and see resources for general support here

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❣ Join the general support team here

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