Mindful or Mind full?

WeeMidgie

Hi Pauline, I've just read your thread from the start, and what a brave and determined person, and a great inspiration you are. I really admire your pluck in sticking in and doing stuff to expand your life and build your resilience. The advice you've been given about recovery days is excellent too.

Thinking about setting yourself new and enjoyable challenges, have you come across a book called"The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron? She recommends two things that I found a great help: morning pages, which is writing down a stream of thoughts first thing in the morning. I found it was like a mental spring clean every day, and I never read the writing again, it was just a great way to get junk out of my head and then I would meditate and start the day feeling calm and clear.

The second idea is what you've been doing! Taking yourself out to do something just for you. We're all the artists of our own lives, and the book encourages us to use our creativity just as you're doing, to try new things to feed and nourish our wellbeing. Try the library for a copy, or secondhand on Amazon if you would like to explore further ideas from the book. It's very nurturing. I still go back to it for inspiration 15 years after first using it.

You're doing great, especially keeping the focus on you. Being your own best friend whilst also being there for your neighbour and your bereaved friend despite your own difficulties, I take my hat off to you, you're a very caring person with so much to offer.

Re time abroad - I've just done that, to help out family. It allowed me to gain perspective, have a rest from the familiar, and coming back, to be clearer about how I would like to shape the next stage of my life. There's something about going away from habits and familiar haunts that allows a change in mental patterns which we may not notice we have.

Anyway, you're doing great at pattern breaking as it is! More power to your elbow, and all the best!

Seasidegal58

Well done Pauline on further getting out and about (and agree with redo about the MSE you met!:)

WeeMidgie wrote an excellent, helpful post there as well. :T

As Cumbria asked - did you get any further in sorting out things with your ex?

System

Hi Pauline you haven't posted in a while are you ok ?

Let us know.

jwil

Hope all is ok xx

beanielou

You are very quiet.

Sun_Addict

Another one here hopes all is ok xx

117pauline

Hi folks

Well, I guess I am back. For some reason I had a complete meltdown last week and everything pretty much stopped. No reason (I wish there were) I can find but normal service has to be resumed.

Went for a swim last night but went tonight and the online timetable was wrong so the pool was closed. I have eaten properly today and done some boring stuff around the house.

This up and down thing is really annoying. I am furious I can't manage this better. Tomorrow I will get in contact with someone medical to see what I can do.

So, sorry to be a disappointment but I am trying to get back on track

Take care, thanks for popping by to check on me
Pauline

Cherryfudge

Good to have you back Pauline, and I really think that with all you have to contend with, that eating properly, doing boring things around the house and trying to go for a swim are worth celebrating as achievements. Don't beat yourself up about having down days, they happen and it's your ability to get up and go on that's so amazing and so important.

Lots of support from your cheerleaders over here, and hugs too xx

lonelyrat

Hi Pauline - just checking in. Don't worry about the 'meltdown', things happen and please don't feel a disappointment. I'm sure no one posting on this thread feels that way about you

Lilith1980

Sorry to hear you've been struggling, Pauline. Don't underestimate how positive it is to be getting those seemingly small things done when you don't feel like it. Hope you feel better soon.