The Big Adventure

misscousinitt

Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better.

Take it easy.

MCI

greent

Goldiegirl wrote: »

I tend to feel more comfortable with the written word, so not sure how I'd feel about talking to a stranger, even if they are qualified

How about a journal? Not necessarily to reflect back upon, but just to write it all down - a 'brain dump' when you're worried/ anxious. OH's therapist suggested a similar exercise to him when he was having therapy

Glad to hear there's been some resolution re the fire

x

Karmacat

A journal was always hugely important to me, and I've recently re-started (oh dear, did I say that already? oops).

There are therapists who work with email nowadays too - though you sound like you know what's what on your own, Goldie, and don't want to use a therapist anyway. You wanted to work on your mental health this year, and that doesn't necessarily mean seeing a professional, not at all - you mention a perfect coping mechanism up above, of making sure you keep busy when you feel bad - that's self knowledge, and its what all this is all about

All power to your elbow

Goldiegirl

I really like the idea of a journal/brain dump. I've used a 'brain dump' approach in the past when I was at work. You know how you remember something on a Friday night, that you'll need to do on Monday morning - I always used to write it down then I didnt need to think about it at the weekend. Also, when somebody had annoyed me, I used to write down exactly when I'd like to say them, which helped get it out of my system.

No further communication on the fire. It's always an answerphone, so you can never speak to a person. I emailed again this morning, asking exactly what's going to happen, but no reply. We intend painting the living room in the next few days, so its been taken off the wall, and back in it's box, but have no real idea if/when it'll be taken away or if/when we'll get a replacement. I think the real test of customer service is when something goes wrong, and they are found wanting at the moment.

But I am trying not to let it get to me.

Goldiegirl

Update

Health

• January weigh in day. 1lb lost. I don't expect to lose weight quickly, so will chalk this up as a win
• Eye test done - unexpected new glasses needed - see below
• Walking - will update at the end of January
• Mental health - what a week !

Mindful Spending

• £37.70 spent in Aldi.
• New glasses. A completely unexpected expense. £376 paid out. It's so expensive because of the lenses I have. Fortunately I have £200 in a 'glasses' pot, which will help. Seriously considering getting half price sunglasses as well
• Various household sundries purchased such as Brita filters and batteries, at prices I felt were reasonable

Making Money

• £5.87 earned on Prolific
• £20.68 payout on Prolific
• 50pt You Gov survey
• Withdrawal forms completed for maturity of Halifax ISAs on 6th February. The interest rate for a further year was 0.50%. No thanks
• Pine TV stand/media unit sold on eBay for £6
• Listed other 3 items of furniture on eBay - it's got to go to make room for the new stuff!

Enjoying life

• Not too much this week! But as a positive, I have had some great support from my MSE pals this week, and have given more thought about how to improve the way I cope. So something good happened after all (thanks guys)

AlexLK

Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better.

I have a journal. It works really well until I avoid writing in it.

Watty1

Hope you are feeling brighter. The brain dump on paper is a good resource, as is a journal (I've used that) and also writing letters. Not to send but just as an exercise. There was a time when I wrote to my partner who had died as whilst that sounds very odd, if I found I could tell him exactly what was going on and in doing so think about solutions. That might sound bats but it worked for me There are also some great CDs and meditations that you can find on You Tube that might be helpful. I really like one by Bellaruth N...can't spell the surname ... but pop it into google and some by her come up. Anyway just suggestions and I am sure you will find something that works for you. Sending love.

michelle09

I'm so sorry Goldie, I'm a worrier too and know how sometimes the little things can easily build up to something catastrophic. Glad that writing it down helped you to feel better.

My OH makes me list positive things when I can only see disaster around us. He's a very calming influence (thankfully).

gallygirl

You sound a bit brighter GG, good stuff x

newgirly

Hope you are havng a good weekend GG, take care x