Drink some water and sit outside…
Notifications OFF
What other things help you, when you get really really lost in the loneliness/ despair/ fear?
I'm terrible for neglecting myself to keep everything else afloat. Right now I'm quite dazed and exhausted, but have reminded myself a few days with extra screen time won't harm my children, and I need to prioritise myself.
I'm sitting in the garden with a glass of squash, with an electrolyte tablet thrown in. It's cooler than recent days, cloudy and refreshing. My body seems to be appreciating the sense of change in the air. It's grounding me in the here and now.
We've been swimming and had a treat lunch out (McDonald's). I need to be proud of myself and my children, celebrate our resilience, and not dwell on the many ways in which this summer holiday has been horrific.
I'm terrible for neglecting myself to keep everything else afloat. Right now I'm quite dazed and exhausted, but have reminded myself a few days with extra screen time won't harm my children, and I need to prioritise myself.
I'm sitting in the garden with a glass of squash, with an electrolyte tablet thrown in. It's cooler than recent days, cloudy and refreshing. My body seems to be appreciating the sense of change in the air. It's grounding me in the here and now.
We've been swimming and had a treat lunch out (McDonald's). I need to be proud of myself and my children, celebrate our resilience, and not dwell on the many ways in which this summer holiday has been horrific.
I promise you it gets easier. I sometimes feel guilty if I do anything/go anywhere but I'm getting over that. I think if it's not in your nature to be selfish or put yourself first then it is hard. One day you'll wake up and it won't be the first thing you think about. I have moments of despair and then weeks of feeling ok. We're coming up to the 12 month mark. OH on bail under investigation still. Try and take pleasure in the small things. Easier said than done I know x
Thank you x
I'm not a natural 'stay at home mum' and looking forward to returning to work once schools are back. Mental health is better than it was in early days in June, but my brain is still completely full of what's happened and what might happen. I feel like things just HAPPEN to me, even though I thought I was a strong successful working mum. I feel buffeted and battered.
I'm not a natural 'stay at home mum' and looking forward to returning to work once schools are back. Mental health is better than it was in early days in June, but my brain is still completely full of what's happened and what might happen. I feel like things just HAPPEN to me, even though I thought I was a strong successful working mum. I feel buffeted and battered.
I don't have children at home but work has been my saviour. Not sure what I would have done without the routine and normality.
Also getting out in the fresh air.
Also getting out in the fresh air.
I've got a grown up child so don't have little kiddos to think about. I went back to work after about four weeks and it was good for me. Yes getting out in nature is good and I got back into crafting a little bit. Even just getting a colouring book for adults took my mind off things. I would sit in bed for a half hour and colour. X
I find Kundalini yoga which focuses on breath work and meditation helps me as does walking in nature and sitting on the beach.
I continued to work despite my anxiety being through the roof but found I did need medication to help me.,
I continued to work despite my anxiety being through the roof but found I did need medication to help me.,
I got myself a new job.... My family were concerned it was 'too much, too soon' as it was in the early days of my sons journey.
it was the best thing for me, I met a sole mate, and, my - did I laugh & cry on her shoulders, my absolute rock at that time and it helped her being 'outside' the family. She left the company but we still meet regularly.
As for the job, part time - a complete difference to what I was doing before.- I loved it and still there now working over my retirement age ......
it was the best thing for me, I met a sole mate, and, my - did I laugh & cry on her shoulders, my absolute rock at that time and it helped her being 'outside' the family. She left the company but we still meet regularly.
As for the job, part time - a complete difference to what I was doing before.- I loved it and still there now working over my retirement age ......
Thank you all. I have always loved yoga and meditation but seem to be shying away from them as though I'm afraid of what they might unleash in me. There's an awful lot of emotion and trauma dammed up inside, since the numbness started about 6 weeks into this journey. I'm holding everything in so tightly to keep us going through the school holidays.
I've got 2 days off after the schools go back, before I start work. I've booked a massage and am going for a long long run. And no doubt my feelings will all surface while I'm out running, and I can let them.
I've got 2 days off after the schools go back, before I start work. I've booked a massage and am going for a long long run. And no doubt my feelings will all surface while I'm out running, and I can let them.
Podcasts helped me massively. Silly ones like My Therapist Ghosted Me and spooky ones like Radio Rental. I justmade sure there were hundreds to listen to and they've helped drown out the over-thinking & distract me my a cycle of my own negative thoughts.
I've been listening to them even when doing housework - I find these are the times my thoughts can become overwhelming. Its been a coping mechanism for me...I'll need to address these thoughts properly at some point but to function as a mother and keep up with daily tasks it helped greatly.
I've been listening to them even when doing housework - I find these are the times my thoughts can become overwhelming. Its been a coping mechanism for me...I'll need to address these thoughts properly at some point but to function as a mother and keep up with daily tasks it helped greatly.
Podcasts are a good idea. Unfortunately my husband has used them for years to detach himself from reality and block out the family noise / needs so I'm very averse to them, but they might help my hyper vigilance.
I've completely hit my limit today and had to call LFF helpline. They're brilliant. I need to start putting myself first or I can't take care of the kids.
I've completely hit my limit today and had to call LFF helpline. They're brilliant. I need to start putting myself first or I can't take care of the kids.
How about listening to some music and focusing on what you can see and hear around you at that moment in time?- I have found that this helps to switch my hyper vigilance off for a while.
I also find that doing some mindful drawing like colouring in Mandalas is good and maybe this is something you could do with the children as well??- I ended up painting mandalas on my garden fence!!!
If you need to cry or vent then please message me I am always listening xxx
I also find that doing some mindful drawing like colouring in Mandalas is good and maybe this is something you could do with the children as well??- I ended up painting mandalas on my garden fence!!!
If you need to cry or vent then please message me I am always listening xxx
Seaside those are lovely ideas. Last week kids and I got some dining chairs from a charity shop and painted them with sample pots from B&Q; it was really lovely. I love the idea of mandalas on the fence.
I have started running again and in week 2 of couch to 5k. Sometimes my OH comes with me if my daughter is at home, but he walks and I'm off running on my way own, with just my music and Sarah Milican keeping me on track with my running. Though this morning I went out with my daughter as she has also started the couch to 5k. She didn't want me to run with her though, so I turned right on this cycle path we use while she went left. The route I took was a lot quieter and I didn't pass any people, but I did see 2 robins and a squirrel.
I find walking helps me. Walking in forests or up mountains (small ones) as where i love there are loads. The countryside is just beautiful, or a walk on the beach with my furbabies.