Turning Negatives Into Positives
At the suggestion of Lightuptheworld, I thought I'd start another 'Turning Negatives into Positives' thread like there is on the old forum. Below is a quote from Antria who started the thread on the previous forum which I think explains the idea of the thread quite well.
"Sometimes it can be helpful to turn our thinking around and begin to challenge the way we look at things. Turning negatives into positives is a way of doing this! Basically, think of something that happened today, this week, this month or at some other time that felt negative and see if you can find a positive in it (or that came out of it)."
I find posting in this thread really helps me to look at things in a different way or see positives that I might not have noticed if I'm in a negative headspace. I'll start the ball rolling:
Negative: My friend didn't turn up to class this morning and I was worried I would be alone because I don't really know anyone else in the class.
Positive: It gave me a chance to sit with new people and get to know them better 🙂
Over to you!
Hey @FootyFan26, I understand how missing your footy match would've been frustrating. I sometimes build up stress and anger if I don't get to play basketball once or twice a week, or go to the gym regularly.
Have you tried doing some of the activities that have helped you release some of your anger in the past? I know it's late-ish on Sunday night, but maybe a some excercise like push-ups and sit-ups could help a bit? Even just 5-10 minutes could do some good.
All my strategies are pretty physical and things like being quiet, reading, writing listening to music don't usually help. The only non sporty thing would be drums and they're pretty loud even when they are electronic.
Positive: I guess I just have to keep trying, and using coping strategies.
@redhead How exciting that you are going to Europe, hope it will be good for you and I hope today is a better day. Stay strong.
@Bee You do matter and working on yourself is a great start to working on relationships around you. Don't lose hope. Hope today is a better day than yesterday.
Thanks @ruenhonx I'm trying hard not to, it's just so easy to get lost in everything. Yesterday was very much an up-down day. Today was better for me emotionally, but physically I'm sick as ever, it's starting to really take a toll. I'm already falling asleep and it's only 7pm! Gah
Neg: Was nearly asleep last night and dad started swearing because he couldn't find his sim card -.- half an hour later I went out and groaned, I grabbed my glasses and found it within 1 minute...
Pos: Finding it stopped his swearing and carrying on. Which provided me a more quiet envrionment to sleep.
Neg: Found it realy hard to get motivated today, and once I got to work the lack of motivation plauged me all shift! Gah.
Pos: I got through it. Lucky I was given alternate tasks to serving, so I had visual representation of my progress!
Neg: The Negative thoughts really made it hard though "This looks horrid, it's so streaky" (cleaning windows) "this is going to take forever! I've barely managed any of it. I've only half assed done it" (Reffering to the stock I was replenishing on the shelves..) I felt bad inside, but I just couldn't see any of it as a positive...
Pos: I finished the tasks, even if a colleague came and helped me knock out the last of the stock and made it more beareable.
Neg: Feeling so physically tired. Doesn't matter what I do I'm getting to about 6.30-7pm and starting to fall asleep. Barely able to finish tea or anything. I become a zombie nearly, waiting to have a shower, so I can just crawl into bed... Even when I'm in bed before 10 I never fall asleep until after 12..
Pos: At least I'm letting my body rest when I go to bed early. I'm trying to relax.
Neg: On my second course of anti-biotics and nearly finished the first dose, and still not feeling any better 😞 I got the second dose ready to continue with, but still just feeling very horrible. The cough is back and worse this time, it hurts my throat and chest more than the one I had the other week. I'm feeling more drained of energy now than before. It actually reminds me of the bout of tonstillitis I had back in 2011 where it stayed for nearly a month and refused to go away even with a few weeks off school anti-biotics and plently of rest. -.- wishing this ilness/infction would just hurry up and **** off.
Pos: I've seen my gp about it. she knows I'm not well, she is aware I saw another gp in the practice for more antibiotics. If it doesn't make any improvement this week, I will be going back again and asking for further investigations to be made. I've been trying to look after myself - keeping my fulids up and keeping warm. Might need some more sunshine...
Positive: I'm safe
Negative: spent all of last night sitting in the emergency waiting room. In the morning the mental health worker said she wouldn't do anything and said it was up to my casemanager as to what happened. So I wasted all that time in DEM. And after meeting with my casemanager then my psychiatrist it was deemed that I had to be admitted.
Positive: everything that happened was to keep me safe. It wasn't ideal but in the end my safety is what matters (even tho I really don't want to be safe right now)
Negative: due to all those things I got no sleep last night which just made today worse.
Positive: I've taken my meds and hopped into bed, I'll soon be asleep and I'm hoping tomorrow will be a better day.
Negative: really struggling with a reason to live atm.
Positive: ?
@redhead - really glad to hear you are safe. You have been through a lot and you are still holding on, you are still fighting for your life and you are here. That is so important to remember.
@Bee - it sounds like you have procedures in place to take care of yourself and stay safe and that is so awesome and inspiring. I hope you also had a better day today 🙂
@redhead what about because you've been able to help, support and advise a bunch of people with their problems and though you may not think so, you may have helped them turn their lives in a more positive direction.
Positive: I've uploaded everything else to the clinical office, it's just the Hep A & B serology which I'll be getting the documentation for tonight. I can upload it tomorrow so it should be verified by the end of the week. I'm not the only one who needed booster shots and retesting, which takes time (and the clinical staff know that!) Placement won't start until at least September and it's only June - I doubt they'll be too pushy until next semester, as nobody's been allocated anything yet.
Negative: Nursing is such a stressful degree. 6 exams for a normal full-time study load, when other degrees only have 3 or 4...
Positive: I've already done 5 of them, and the last one is on Wednesday. It's multiple choice which should be easy. The reason we have so many exams is because nursing has a huge clinical/practical component, as well as theory - that's one of the reasons I chose the course in the first place. I'm on track to get a distinction average anyway; there's no need for me to worry.
Negative: Been feeling really tense today and useless.
Positive: I feel a bit more relaxed after taking a long shower. At least I managed to take a shower, been feeling really tired today.
negative: I cried a bit today, and was trying hold it back but couldn't.
Positive: I guess crying is ok, and its ok to express how I feel.
Keep up the self-care - proud of you!
Positive: I did what I could, now just got to wait and see if I get in.
Negative: self harmed again. I can't seem to do anything to stop it when I get the urge.
Positive: I'm trying. This has been my coping strategy for 4.5 years, it will take time to figure out better ways of dealing with things.
Negative: the doctor at hospital was so rude. Made me feel pathetic and worthless. He said I was just a waste of his time. He threatened me with an order. he said I'd just wind up dead. And all this other stuff. Left hospital even worse than when I went in there.
Positive: ? He just didn't understand?
Negative: so now I'm feeling pathetic thinking about suicide
Positive: I'll stay safe. It's something ci need to talk to my therapist about tomorrow.
@redhead I'm really sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with the doctor. However, perhaps he was saying that the power is in your hands and that there is nothing he can do? Maybe he is concerned for your health and is warning you that you are in danger if you continue down the same path? I hope you have a positive visit with your therapist.
I'm glad to hear you're safe and are planning to discuss how you've been feeling with your therapist tomorrow @redhead.
It definitely sounds like the doctor you mentioned didn't understand. You're definitely not worthless or pathetic! And it's really unprofessional of a doctor to say that you're not worth their time. We do have to remember that doctors are human too and they might've been going through something themselves when you saw them, which is why they were so dismissive. Still isn't an excuse though. If that doctor is attends to you again, you might want to ask to see someone else. This could also be something worth mentioning to your therapist.
I hope you're appointment goes really well tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you.
Positive: I'm not deleting this. I'll give it a go.
Negative: voices
Positive: promised myself I wouldn't give into them.
Negative: no therapy tomorrow because of public holiday
Positive: catching up with a mate for a movie instead.
Negative: little things have really been getting to me today
Positive: its probably because I'm sick. I need to. do a lot of self care atm.
Negative: so tired but I can't sleep
Positive: hopefully the meds will kick in soon so I can sleep.
hey @redhead
Just wanted to mention that you absolutely are worthy of attention and there are plenty of people here on RO (and i'm sure in your personal life outside RO) that care about you and would agree!
@redhead how are you feeling today? Also you've always shown a strong fighting spirit, and it seems like it's still there. You can make it, and we believe in you
Positive: I've made it through so far during the day, so it means I can get through this.
Have you tried writing down your feelings when you're feeling really emotionally charged? Sometimes expressing them on paper can really help dealing with highly emotional times. Art, music, a hobby or some form of exercise can also be really therapeutic and calming.
Negative: dad's home this morning while mum's still at work. I'm really stressed out because I don't want to be stuck dealing with him until class at 11am - that's 3.5 hours!
Positive: I can go into uni early, which will allow me to get some study done as well as distance myself from family. Win-win. Plus dad will be at work when I get home so it's only this morning that I need to deal with him. I've had to face this situation before and have survived - there's no reason why this time should be any different.
Negative: this assignment is stressing me out so much because I'm procrastinating it. I'm used to starting my assignments early so this doesn't happen. I just don't want to do it.
Positive: it's my last assignment for this semester. Once it's done that'll be it! The reason I'm delaying working on it is because I'm waiting to get a previous assignment back - the feedback from it will help me complete this new task. I should have my marks back by tomorrow which will give me the weekend + Monday to do it. It's only 1500 words so it shouldn't take too long.
Pos: I know this is just a usual routine for me. The anxiety is manageable. I just keep telling myself that there is nothing at work which can harm me. My colleagues are good to work with, mostly to distract me. I can always ask my supervisor if there's another job I can do today if I'm not in express. If not I can make the most of express by reminding myself most interactions are only a few minutes. I can remind myself HOW many times I've gone to work feeling anxious and finished the shift feeling ok.
Neg: Starting to get worried and nervous about my psych apt on Monday.
Pos: She knows a bit about me already (thanks to eheadspace) which should help if I feel really anxious. She's probably used to dealing with anxious clients - I mean it is apart of her job! I'm going there to get help - to find ways to feel better. It's ok to feel anxious about it, it's not necessarily a bad thing
Neg: Part of me feeling rather anxious/nervous because she spoke with Eheadspace. I'm kinda scared about what was said... So many other thoughts & questions.
Pos: I wanted that to occur. I can always ask Eheadspace what info she passed on... I know that what info eheadspace passed on would have been to help me, I have gained a sense of trust working with this clinician which is why I asked her. I guess my main fear is the unknown.
Positive: I'm not crashing and burning like I thought I would, coming down slowly and it's feeling good.
