Summer Solstice Sensation

whitewing

I'm shattered! You all shamed me into going out for a four mile walk with the baby. This is my first proper walk for months, so it was good to get going again. I felt better just being outside.

I think I either have the lurkings of a low grade flu (my brother was quite poorly on Xmas/Boxing Day) or my healthier lifestyle is giving me detox sypmtoms as I have a small but persistent headache and stuffiness. I'm not worried tough as whatever it is I have a suspicion that I'm getting off lightly.

I have been jazzing up a photo album of DD's first year. Meant to be creative but feels a little like a slog. It will be good to have it done so the photos can be shared and looked at.

I have been having my vitamin pills and nuts. Saw this article about almonds potentially helping with diabetes. I had gestational diabetes so need to be careful. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1342476/Eating-almonds-help-prevent-diabetes-heart-disease-say-scientists.html

Have my jug of water too so will be good.

top_drawer_2

hi,

Lesson learned - thanks for the huge post I'm really flattered for the attention. My GP is nice enough but he can only offer medication which does seem to tackle the horrible side of the feelings. I can also sleep for a decent length of time and not wake at stupid 0'clock. I agree that looking good/feeling good definitely makes me feel better - if I cant be bothered with myself then I cant expect anyone else too either.

I guess I have reached a crossroads in my life and need to make some decisions but they all seem to be out of my hands in some way. I can decide to apply for as many jobs as I like but its down to someone else to offer to me.

I have struggled with making friends all through my life; at school I was bullied a lot and had a difficult home life making it feel really hard to be anywhere. I seem to find dsyfunctional people often and I havent stopped in touch with any of my past housemates really. I get along with my current housemates but I wouldnt say we are friends. At uni I found it really difficult and was glad when it was over. I am very self concious and found all the drinking/partying and loose-ness quite difficult. Plus I was/am keen to do well in whatever I set my mind too. Sometimes I think this is part of the problem as I have stuck at things which have made me miserable. I would like to get back in touch with some people from school but am embarrased that I havent achieved much/that I lost touch with them. I find it hard to even know how to go about these things - how stupid is that?

Ironically I studied Psychology; for a long while I wanted to be a clinical psychologist but couldnt stand the thought of anymore studying when I finished my degree. I am already doing quite a bit of volunteer work in an attempt to get my foot on the ladder/network. I volunteer one morning a week at the CAB and I write for an emagazine. I am hoping to do some other stuff too in the new year but a lot of places only want a very select few individuals due to the economic climate.

I'm impressed by everyones efforts - it puts mine to shame. I fell down the stairs earlier and now I havent done a thing really. I wanted to have a bath and relax but am worried about my foot and whether I would be able to get back up again.

shegirl - I have a sister who has downs syndrome so I understand what a fulltime job caring for a disabled child can be - my sister is 18 now so more independant now thankfully. What things did you do before you had a child? Well done on the weightloss - its so good when you try clothes on and they are loose.

Bye for now

lessonlearned

top_drawer wrote: »

hi,

I guess I have reached a crossroads in my life and need to make some decisions but they all seem to be out of my hands in some way. I can decide to apply for as many jobs as I like but its down to someone else to offer to me.

I would like to get back in touch with some people from school but am embarrased that I havent achieved much/that I lost touch with them. I find it hard to even know how to go about these things - how stupid is that?

I'm impressed by everyones efforts - it puts mine to shame. I fell down the stairs earlier and now I havent done a thing really. I wanted to have a bath and relax but am worried about my foot and whether I would be able to get back up again.


QUOTE]

Hi Top-drawer

Sorry not very good at the quoty thing - still trying to learn.

1. It's a tough economic climate and jobs are very difficult to find - often it's who and not what you know -can you do some networking so that you at least get an interview. Once your foot is through the door then the rest is definitely up to you, get through that door then sell yourself. It's getting the interview that is the hardest part at the moment. This is where old friends, course mates etc can be of a real help in supporting you and perhaps even finding an open door. Tell everyone you meet you are job hunting. You never know.

A psychology degree is a great degree to have - you don't have to be a clinical psychologist, there are all sorts of jobs open to a psychology graduate, Human Resources, Sales & Marketing, Advertising, Education.

2. Why not try writing to your old chums, much easier than picking up the phone. Emails are ok, but a proper handwritten letter is lovely to receive. If they don't reply you've lost nothing. Just a short hi, how are you, would love to meet up for lunch or a coffee. Keep it light.

Don't go thinking you haven't achieved anything, you've just finished uni - give yourself some credit, you've got years ahead of you to achieve. Anyway, how do you know that they have done "better" or "more" than you.

3. Which brings me to the last point and this is where I'm going to gently nag you. You really shouldn't keep talking yourself down, comparing yourself to others and thinking that you are somehow inferior or not good enough. You are, you're smart, educated and articulate. Don't keep doing that to yourself.

Have you come across Neuro Linguistic Programming during your studies. I can thoroughly recommend you look into this. Briefly, if you've not studied it, it's all about the power of language and how what we say influences the way we act, feel and think.

Hope your foot gets better soon.

maman

Don't worry LL, I haven't sloped off. Glad to hear you're still pushing ahead.

Had a lovely, long walk yesterday. Been for my SW weigh-in today and lost 5.5lbs:eek: This makes up for putting on 2.5lb last week and no change the week before. So over the Christmas festivities I've still managed to lose. I'm delighted and it is motivating me really well to carry on into the new year.

I'm starting to formulate some resolutions in my head and will spend a bit of time tomorrow firming them up. Some are about me, some are for my home and garden.

You're sounding a bit more upbeat tonight top-drawer. I'm afraid I know very little about depression so wouldn't want to advise but it seems that keeping busy and boosting your self-image by taking care of yourself can only help. I understand how you feel about studying at the moment but you might change your mind, give it time. When I first finished college I couldn't face anything more than a magazine for years but I did go back to studying later. What about hobbies?

P.S. Meant to say I hope you feel OK after your fall.

lessonlearned

Hi WW

Thanks for the Daily Mail link - I love almonds, Sainsbury's have some good offers on their nuts at the moment. Got a big bag of Brazil nuts for half price. Brazil nuts contain selenium - good for the skin, I have 3 or 4 a day (instead of cake) in the afternoon.

No wonder you are shattered 4 miles is a long walk. Hope the "flu" doesn't get you.

Hi Maman

Wow - that is one fantastic result, well done you.

I've been thinking about New Year Resolutions too.

We can compare notes soon. And make a plan!!!! I like planning.

shegirl

maman wrote: »

Don't worry LL, I haven't sloped off. Glad to hear you're still pushing ahead.

Had a lovely, long walk yesterday. Been for my SW weigh-in today and lost 5.5lbs:eek: This makes up for putting on 2.5lb last week and no change the week before. So over the Christmas festivities I've still managed to lose. I'm delighted and it is motivating me really well to carry on into the new year.

I'm starting to formulate some resolutions in my head and will spend a bit of time tomorrow firming them up. Some are about me, some are for my home and garden.

You're sounding a bit more upbeat tonight top-drawer. I'm afraid I know very little about depression so wouldn't want to advise but it seems that keeping busy and boosting your self-image by taking care of yourself can only help. I understand how you feel about studying at the moment but you might change your mind, give it time. When I first finished college I couldn't face anything more than a magazine for years but I did go back to studying later. What about hobbies?

P.S. Meant to say I hope you feel OK after your fall.

Well done on the weight loss!

I need to think of some resolutions,I never have any!!! My OH always makes one to learn something new each year,started with skiiing and snowboarding (and he's now an intructor) then carried on and had ideas for learning sign language etc I've always loved his positive gaining resolutions so maybe I should think of some positive ones rather than the ones many come out with (like giving something up,doing something more often)...something totally new...only get one life right?

maman

shegirl wrote: »

Well done on the weight loss!

I need to think of some resolutions,I never have any!!! My OH always makes one to learn something new each year,started with skiiing and snowboarding (and he's now an intructor) then carried on and had ideas for learning sign language etc I've always loved his positive gaining resolutions so maybe I should think of some positive ones rather than the ones many come out with (like giving something up,doing something more often)...something totally new...only get one life right?

WOW! Your OH is a star aiming high with his resolutions like that. I'm definitely going to go for some 'improving my mind' resolutions as well as the clearing cupboards, losing weight sort:). I'm happily at the time of my life when I don't need any more qualifications so can concentrate on more cultural things like books and music (currently chick lit and Abba are more my thing:rotfl:)

whitewing

It's good how looking after yourself ripples through everything. I feel much better today. Last night while DH was at work I made an album of LO's (little one's) baby photos. I started and finished in an evening. Wow! If I say so myself, it looks great. And I'm partway through a second one. This is all part of my 'declutter my house, declutter my mind' philosophy for 2011. I am hopefully due to have some psychotherapy this coming year so I think that will help with weight loss as I am an emotional eater.

5.5lbs is amazing.

top-drawer, you sound a bit like me at your age. A long story but I am now only just on medication for depression, and have to say it has made a world of difference. I was always given the impression that I was a difficult person so it was my personality that was the problem, which I had to take responsibility for. As this had persisted from my childhood, it wasn't until my darling husband came along that he persisted in encouraging me to get help (especially as it was all made worse by post natal depression). I am on anti depressants now and they are helping enormously. In my family mental health difficulties are stigmatised and when I was 18 my dad flushed my medication down the toilet as he couldn't accept that I had problems. And you read such bad stuff in the press. My only downside with the ones I am on are that I sleep for 10 hours a night. Even that can be managed though, in theory if I need to get up earlier I just go to bed earlier. t-d take your medication and keep plugging away at those baby steps. I find it helpful to keep a 'memory' box or something where you begin to gather stuff that makes you happy or reminds you of a job well done (hence my LO's photo albums). I need visual reminders that I am an alright person as I don't always 'feel' it intuitively.

lessonlearned

Hi everyone

Just done my first 2km on the bike.

Well now it's almost three weeks in and I have to say that I'm feeling so much better - both physically and emotionally. A month ago and I would be in floods of tears at the slightest thing, I was permanently exhausted and a mass of aches and pains.

OK there's been no miracle, I still have problems, especially as OH is rather poorly at the moment, the central heating is not playing nicely and my teeth are twinging. (appointment on Tuesday thank goodness).

The thing is, I don't feel utterly defeated and wiped out anymore, I seem much better able to cope with what is being thrown at me.

I agree with WW this taking care of yourself business does seem to ripple through into other areas of your life. I feel re-energised and much more like my old happy go lucky self.

I started this by way of something of an experiment, and I'm delighted to see that, for me, it's working. It seems to be working for some of you too, which is great news. Thanks for all your support and encouragement everyone, I really do appreciate it.

Off to clean my health hazard of a kitchen and then do my yoga and ball workouts. Oh and the pile of ironing that's glaring at me.

Been thinking about resolutions, working on the master plan.

Keep up the good work, enjoy your New Year's Eve festivities, just a quiet one here. OH too ill for partying.

Todays treatment - just a nice long soak in the bath, Had some lovely Lush goodies for Christmas.

rainbow81

Hi

I wondered if I could join all you lovely (I am making assumptions) ladies. Assumptions about you being ladies not about you being lovely :rotfl:.

I immediately see similarities with you top_drawer and also shegirl. I am a 29 year old with a son with ASD and I find relationships with other people difficult (jokes about genetics of autism could be useful here - are there any??). Anyway, the point is I need to take more care of myself, physically, mentally and emotionally and would like to end next year more positively.

Shegirl, have you thought about studying? I am on my second course with the OU (the one about Autism actually although some days I've had enough of the subject!).

Top_drawer, I find making friends very difficult, i'm just not gregarious and the sorts of things I like to do are pretty solitary. I did find yoga good though as although you're in a group it is definitely inward focussed, if you see what I mean?

I will endeavour to go back to weekly yoga classes in 2011 and take care of the details, ie paint the nails straighten the hair, etc.

Im afraid I haven't got any fabulous face pack recipes, mine's out of a tube :T.

J x