My survival kit

What do you like? What does feel good? What makes you feel safe?

It is like a quest for gold. You will come across a lot of dirt. Just keep searching. The only criteria is that it (sometimes) feels good.

Collect at least 5 things/activities for your survival kit that fit the above criteria. Things that have been helpful in the past, or ideas what you might want to try. Your collection can be like a first aid box or a survival kit. Post it here so others can be inspired by your ideas and it can remind you when you need it. You can also be inspired by other people’s kits

It is very important you do not only care for yourself when you feel bad!!! Would you only drink water just before you die of dehydration? That might be too late. Mabe the water wouldn’t help you any more at that point.

The following list gives lots of examples. There is a lot of stereotypically female-gendered stuff. Just scrap everything you don’t like and create your own list.

IDEAS

hot showers / baths
reading
cook/bake
hang with pets/animals
some poems you like
a specific scent
a scented candle
your favourite bath oil or shower gel
small objects that remind you of good memories
photographs of friends
a cuddly toy
a CD with your favourite music
loud angry music
sing along pop music (loudly) in your bedroom/car etc where no one can hear you
your favourite magazine
a book you want to read
letters from friends
a letter to yourself that reminds you how awesome you are
a pebble or stone or piece of wood to hold in your hand
a marker to write on your body
a diary and a pen
keep a gratitude diary
paper and pencils or watercolors if you like to draw or paint
knit or crossstitch
adult colouring in books
make a collage
a list of yoga asanas that you like
a list of stretching excercises that feel grounding
a CD with a guided relaxation excercise (e.g. progressive muscle relaxation)
write a long letter
Harry Potter movie marathon
work on a scrap book
learn a poem by heart
icy cold showers / baths
practice andom acts of kindness
a list with phone numbers of supportive people
a list with emergency phone numbers
get a massage or give yourself a massage (be very aware of what feels good and what doesn’t and make sure to remember it
go to the beach and dig your toes into the sand
feel the sun (or rain) on your face
acupuncture
CD with nature sounds (e.g. thunderstorm)
join in some postcrossing (postcrossing.com)
Sex (you can have Sex with yourself if you’re alone) (over age of censent, obviously!)
things to care for your injuries like plaster or bandages

tape or elastic bandages to wrap around your arms to feel grounded
tea bags of your favourite tea
think of your most beautiful memory in all details
expose a book (bookcrossing.com)
meditate (but make sure to give it a few tries, meditation isn’t something that will instantly make you feel good)
chocolate or something else you like to eat
a body lotion or massage oil that you like
a childhood
write a piss-off-list (figuring everybody you are currently angry at)
visit an exhibition
an ointment with capsaicin that gives a warm sensation to the skin that can help to feel grounded
play a drum (doesn't have to be a real drum, every object has its own sound)
hum a tune you like or sing
sit on a hard floor and lean against a hard wall to feel grounded
dance
rock your body back and forth to soothe yourself
go for a walk
watch a DVD
think of new ideas for your survival kit
meet a friend
hold an ice cube in your hand
let cold water run over your arms & hands
go to cinema
read this zine
ear-plugs
learn how to juggle
focus on your breath
a warm scarf or a blanket
care for a potted plant
play with a yo-yo
spend a day in bed
a coffee-table book to look at the pictures
if you are religious pray or attend a ritual
a bowl or a bag of buttons, or dry beans, or beads or very clean coins and just funnel them through your fingers over and over
make the room dark or hide in a dark space
focus on something completely uninteresting in the room and try to make your mind a blank to lessen panic (focal point)
a mind-numbing but addictive and distracting computer game
daydream
spend time with kids (play games!)
bird watching
hang out with animals
white noise
browse the shelves of a public library
hang out in cyberspace (or maybe keep away from cyberspace for a while)
write your own zine

Sophie-ROPosted 07-05-2015 02:50 PM

Comments

Chessca_HPosted 10-05-2015 10:41 PM

I love this idea! Here's my kit (or at least a start):

- Watching a movie that I love

- Cuddling my dogs

- Yoga

- Drinking a warm drink (green tea, coffee, hot chocolate)

- Singing along to music

Replying to

Sophie-RO

Posted 07-05-2015 02:50 PM

blithePosted 07-05-2015 08:33 PM

My self care kit was made at a time when I was getting sick a lot. So it has cold and flu tabs, headache tabs and MOST IMPORTANTLY my DVD of Anne of Green Gables - which is my special treat for when I'm sick or feeling down and really need to feel better. ❤️

blithe

Replying to

Sophie-RO

Posted 07-05-2015 02:50 PM

Sophie-ROPosted 08-05-2015 01:46 PM

Anne of Green Gables! Cute!

Great kits everyone!

Replying to

blithe

Posted 07-05-2015 08:33 PM

benjamin_Posted 10-05-2015 04:55 PM

Wow, bloody amazing thread! Love the idea of just chucking whatever feels good in there without thinking too much about it! here we go.

playing guitar
reading
petting cats
youtubing animals being cute
youtubing animals doing funny stuff (e.g. throwing poop)
listening to music
writing music
watching shows and movies
tumblr
finding a nice, relaxing place outside to read.
ride my motorbike
coffee.
coffee.
coffee.

Replying to

Sophie-RO

Posted 08-05-2015 01:46 PM

j95Posted 08-05-2015 01:34 PM

I love this, cool idea @Sophie-RO

JAY'S KIT.

- Draw a mandala/possible tattoo ideas.

- Go for a run
- Play guitar or drums
- Go for a drive somewhere I haven't been before
- Take dogs for a walk
- Look at my gemstones
- Go somewhere quiet
- Eat my favourite foods (lemon sorbet and burger rings - obviously not together)
- Visit RO
- Call a mate or see girlfriend Em.
- Listen to white noise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KaOrSuWZeM

Replying to

blithe

Posted 07-05-2015 08:33 PM

lokifishPosted 07-05-2015 06:58 PM

I had to come up with something like this when I was in therapy. I also filled a box with self-care stuff in it and it sits by my bed - highly recommend it!

Some of the things in Lokifish's kit:
- have a warm bubble bath
- go for a walk
- journaling
- come on RO
- watch the birds/trees/insects outside
- books to read
- teddies to cuddle with
- mindfulness meditations/breathing exercises
- chocolate
- bubbles
- colouring books
- photos of happy places/events
- moisturiser (I like the feel of it on my hands)
- classical music to calm me down

Replying to

Sophie-RO

Posted 07-05-2015 02:50 PM

redheadPosted 07-05-2015 05:38 PM

Redheads kit
+ go for a long walk
+ listen to metal
+ turn off the lights and snuggle in bed with my favourite stuffed sheep
+ ring a helpline
+ have a long shower or bath
+ do a jigsaw
+ come on RO
+ call my best mate
+ play Xbox
+ bubble mixture
+ dress up/ doll up for no reason in particular
+ mindfulness exercises (like smiling mind)
+ paint
+ journal
+ go to emergency if all else fails

Replying to

Sophie-RO

Posted 07-05-2015 02:50 PM