@wanderingwasp For general anxiety and physical symptoms of it, I found it quite hard because the physical symptoms were with me for a long time, even a while after I had stopped feeling so anxious. I just tried to do breathing techniques, grounding excersices, spending time in nature, sometimes when I was fidgety and restless I would try and do a workout or dance, to use up some energy and tire myself out. I also ended up trying this really mild herbal medicine at one point, which was called 'seremind', I think it helped a little bit. Maybe trying aromatherapy, or essential oils, especially lavender.  I use to say 'mantras' in my head. I would do visualising and externalizing, so imagining my anxiety as an 'energy' I could shake off or breathe out. I also use to externalise it, so I would imagine it as a seperate being, and use to tell it quite literally to 'f*ck off', which may sound strange lol, but it worked for me. Also finding pressure points to ease anxiety, I think the one I used to do was about three fingers below your wrist and lightly massaging it, it use to help me a bit.  Its cool that you're trying meditation, so something else I really recommend is 'guided sleep meditation', its on youtube and they do a 'talk down' so you gradually release tension from your body and just generally calm down with the words of the video, you don't have to do it in your sleep or anything, but I use to listen to it before I went to sleep while I was laying in bed; if you find the right one they can really help. Also, I wanted to recommend this youtube channel that focuses a lot on dp/dr and anxiety, that I use to watch a lot, his name is 'Jordan Hardgrave' aka 'anxiety ninja'. I hope some of that may be of help to you. The physical symptoms of anxiety really suck . I used to get pretty frustrated sometimes, simply from being so jumpy and easily startled, and even having shaky hands and all that. Especially the heartbeat though, I went to hospital a couple times in the beginning because I was scared I was having a heart attack, but gradually I learnt to deal with these feelings through these techniques, and importantly just lowering my anxiety overall, and giving my body time and patience to lessen the symptoms of it.  I hope you are feeling okay today, and hopefully some of these may work for you.      ... View more

@Bre-RO Thank you  ... View more

@Saltwaterdreamtime Love this idea! This playlist I would say gives me the vibes of moving on and being at peace with the eternal movement of life.   And so we go on: Always Forever - Cults Running Red Lights -  The Avalanches Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear Mud - RAT!hammock Love It Or Leave It - Asaf Avidan Bad Things - Cults Cherry Flavoured - The Neighbourhood Ya No Te Hago Falta - Sen Senra           ... View more

@wanderingwasp Hi, this is the thread I made a while ago if you want to have a look =) ... View more

@wanderingwasp I'm so glad that my reply may have comforted you a bit. I know how horrible the experience is.  The whole 'triggering cycle' is really tricky, and it was actually one of the hardest parts of trying to overcome it, because my immediate response to such dissociation was to freak out, but it only made it worse. At one point I was just in a perpetual state of fear and anxiety, and I actually spiraled into a bit of a mental break down because I felt like I was losing my mind and I couldn't handle it anymore. It was actually from that point onwards that things started getting a bit better. It took a while, and I was in this really really anxious space of obsessive thinking and anxiety and detachment for a couple of months, and it was absolute hell, but I learnt a lot from it. I had to learn to sit with discomfort and fear and detachment, and not fuel it by freaking out or focusing on it, which is not an easy thing to do at first. I use to think about the dp/dr every day because I was desperate to be over it, but I had to learn to think and focus on it as little as possible. When it was super intense and I was really aware of it, I had to try and act as though it were nothing, so as not to tell my brain it was something 'significant' or something it had to 'protect' me from. So, honestly there wasn't an exact moment when I realised it was gone. It happened very gradually, so much that I didn't really notice it happening. From not focusing on it, it became natural for me to not to think about it, and so it kind of just faded and became less intense over time. Its hard because its kind of like a lifting fog, if you sit and stare at it, it will likely seem like nothing is changing, but if you look away and then look back after a while ,you'll realise that it's gone. Its really hard because desperately wanting it to leave will usually only extend it. The main point, at least for me, was trying to forget about it, not focus on it, give it less power and energy from my thought and anxieties. But also learning to be more comfortable with the feeling of dissociation, and realising it was not an inherently terrifying or terrible thing, and I started seeing it more as something my brain had done to protect me. But I can say now, that I get moments where I notice that the dp/dr is mostly gone, because suddenly I am feeling something. Suddenly, I am liking someone, or missing someone, and I am reminded that I can finally feel things again. Sometimes I am sitting outside and suddenly I feel like all my surroundings come into focus, I can feel the world around me, my senses aren't numb, I feel like I am present in the moment, and it is wonderful.  I do still struggle with it sometimes, it isn't entirely gone, but I'm okay with that because I stopped believing in being 'better again' or back to something I used to be. I learnt that recovery does not lead to that paradise place of 'better', sometimes it only leads to okay, before it can lead to good, and that is enough. Sometimes you relapse, or you think you're over something and then you're pulled back into it, and that's okay too.  It will take a while for you to notice that it has lifted, when it finally does. But you will notice it eventually.  I hope that wasn't too long, and I hope that made sense. I struggled with it for a long time, and I know there isn't a lot of support or conversation around it, so if you have any other questions or you just want to talk about your experiences and symptoms, than I am always open to talk to.  ... View more

Hi, @wanderingwasp  I made a similar thread a while ago because I felt like it wasn't talked about a lot. I think its really great that you've started this thread, as dp/dr is something that isn't that widely known. It's nice for people to be able to know they aren't alone.   I dealt with dp/dr for a a couple of years, and I still deal with it sometimes. But when I was in the depths of it, I thought I was never going to be free from it. It truly is a horrible feeling. I remember feeling like I had lost all grip on reality, I thought I was going 'insane'. I felt entirely disconnected from my surroundings, the people around me, and even my reflection. Everything felt almost two dimensional and simply 'unreal'. I also struggled with feeling like I was stuck inside my body, and having 'inner body' experiences, where it felt like I was behind my eyes and not in control of my body at all, if that makes sense. Feeling as though there were a pane of glass between me and the rest of the world. Something else that really troubled me was being emotionally numb, and feeling entirely retreated, almost like I was just a shell of the person I use to be. During this hard time, I thought it would never go away and I would have to live with it forever, and I would never feel again, like I use to. However, what helped me, was talking about it to others, and trying to address what had happened to me, in my case it was extreme stress and repeated low-level trauma. DP/DR isn't easy to deal with. And its something that a lot of people who haven't experienced it, will have trouble understanding. I remember telling my mum one night, and she actually got a little offended once I told her I couldn't feel any emotion towards anyone; that I knew I loved my family, but I couldn't feel it.  Things that helped me get through this, and finally into a better place where I rarely have to deal with it like I use to, were mainly: Trying to address what had triggered it in the first place. Trying to be understanding towards myself and of DP/DR by educating myself on it, so I was no longer as afraid or confused about it, and less alone in it. Trying not to freak out or focus on the feeling of dissociation, because in my experience it only made the feeling temporarily worse, because it can signal to the brain that it needs to 'protect' you more, and so it tries to pull you away from it, but only results in taking you deeper into the feeling. Grounding techniques is something I used a lot, so like, putting my hand on a cold surface and focusing on the feeling, listing things for each of my senses, what can I smell, what can I see, what can I touch, what can I hear. Sometimes I would simply touch objects around me to better help me feel grounded and aware of my surroundings, and to remind myself that the things around me were real and three dimensional. Listening to meditation or calming music without vocals, and doing breathing exercises. Talking to people and getting professional support. And, one of the most important, being patient and kind with myself.   DP/DR can be extremely troubling and disheartening and scary, but it does improve. It can take a while, but you are not alone. You matter. You are enough. You are real, and everything around you is. You will be okay. I have been in the depths of it, and felt as though I would never be free from it. But with time, I got to where I am now, which is a much, much better place. ... View more

@Hannah-RO  Hi, thank you for your support. At the moment, looking for professional help is more just me trying to talk to someone through head space or another professional online. It may sound a bit strange, but I don't think I'm willing to dive deep into what ever this is just yet. I feel like there is a lot on my mind and things I am trying to work out in my life right now, and I feel like I don't really have the mental space to start dealing with it on a deeper level yet.  I would like to discuss it a bit with a professional, but I don't want to start seeing a psychiatrist for it right now. I think I am in a relatively okay place with my mental health over all, and it has taken me a while to get here, so I think I will try to deal with this lightly, if that makes sense? I think I just really needed to tell somebody, and understand it a bit more for the moment. I definitely think I need to address it, but I don't think I really want to start having sessions in person right now.  Thank you for your support, I really, really appreciate it. ... View more

@Abderian Thank you so, so much. That really helped me, and put my mind at ease a little. I think I can connect with 'mild' and non-physical experiences having a deep impact, that makes a lot of sense. Thank you for sharing that with me, I really appreciate it.  At the moment I'm feeling better than I was earlier today. I still feel kind of weird. This thought of wether I may have some kind of childhood trauma is something that has come to me a few times over the past year, and each time it always puts me in a spiral and I struggle a lot with weird feelings and anxiety, but I have never really reached out for professional help, which I think is important for me to do this time. Rn I'm feeling okay, even thinking more of these feelings and thoughts I think I am already understanding them more.  Thank you for replying, it means a lot. ... View more

@sunnygirl606  Hi, I have been trying to connect with a professional but they have been pretty busy I think. But I will keep trying. I have thought about writing out these feelings, and maybe that would help me understand them more, I think I will give it a go. Thank you for your support. ... View more

@StormySeas17Yeah, its a little daunting to see people writing to so well and fast lol. But no, I don't really have a goal in mind. I would like to write more often and feel more motivated to write, but I'm personally not a huge fan of routine.  ... View more

Pink Moon - Tash Sultana ... View more

@lokifish cool idea,   I joined on 16th of December. ... View more

I'm just curious, do a lot of writers here have a writing routine that they follow? Or do you just write when you feel like it?  I have been writing this idea out, but I have no routine, I just write when it comes to me, so sometimes I don't write for days or weeks, and then other days I write a lot. It just comes in bursts. I have seen that some authors take around 6 months to a year to finish a book. But I get the feeling my first draft won't be finished for like a couple years lol.   ... View more

U.N.I.T.Y - Queen Latifah ... View more

@AnnoyingCockatiel Yeah, I think backpacking would be an amazing experience sometime in the future when the world is in a better state. Its a shame about this situation. Hopefully things will improve soon though.  ... View more

@ecla34 Thank you for the recommendations. I actually bought pride and prejudice a few months back, but I didn't get past about ten pages because I thought it was kind of boring. However, I am determined to read it at some point, so I'll have to start soon.      ... View more

Can anyone recommend one of the 'classics' that is actually good?  I mean everyone has differing opinions and tastes and I don't mean to insult classic enthusiasts, but I feel like a lot of classics I have read are quite mundane.  Does anyone recommend a 'classic' that you really like? ... View more

Hi @Looking_to_improve , I'm sorry to hear that you are having a tough time. This lock down and the world in general is kind of disheartening, and is negatively impacting a lot of peoples mental health right now, so I am happy you were able to reach out and talk to us here on RO.  I can empathise with feeling like your dreams and ambitions have crumbled because of the circumstances, and it sucks. But I have hope, because I know the world is not going to be like this forever; things will improve someday. The world is really strange right now. Being stuck with your family and confined to one environment can evoke a lot of negative emotions. But I hope you can find ways to feel comforted and okay, wether that be through talking to others, listening to music, engaging in a hobby, cooking, or just doing anything that gives you joy or comfort. This year definetly has enforced a lack of control. But it is only temporary in the large scheme of things. However I know loosing your sense of control is something that can make you feel like your struggling. Try to take comfort in the things you can control. And remember that lock down won't last forever. I am not sure what exact changes, (other then the obvious world situation) have happened in your life. But just know that no matter what is going on, the future is always yours. Your now may suck, but as one of my favourite authors said 'your now is not your forever'. Do not give up, keep dreaming of the life you want, and keep reaching for it. Try to think of the positives ( even though I know this can be hard) about any changes in your life. There is always a way to the life that you want. I hope you are feeling okay and I hope this was able to help a little bit (sorry if it didn't make much sense).<3   ... View more

I hope everyone has a good night and rests well. This chat was really fun, I'm looking forward to next time. Goodnight.<3 ... View more

Everyone mentioned career goals, so I'll add becoming a journalist and helping with human rights.  I loved this chat tonight, it was really fun.  ... View more

What are the three biggest thing you want to do someday? 1. Backpack across Europe, and have a white christmas there 2. Live in a nordic country for a while and take time to write and create in a peaceful environment. 3. Go on a solo trek in a reasonably remote part of the world. Something like walking through parts of the Himalayas or maybe going with a guide on a trek through Peru. I would love to do the Inca trail. ... View more

@Hozzles Thank you! ... View more

Nights - Frank Ocean ... View more

@ecla34 I am compiling a list of all the foods I want to have, so far it includes mediterranean pasta and vegan chocolate cheesecake. ... View more

@MB95 Thats so cool, I can't wait to travel solo. I am honestly more frustrated then I am scared, about having to be more cautious when travelling solo, but I'm still really really looking forward to it. I would love to backpack around Europe some day, and maybe do something like the Inca trail or go to the Himalayas. Where did you travel to? ... View more

@WheresMySquishy thank you! ... View more

Is there anything you're really looking forward to doing right now? Big or small This is really small but I am looking forward to calling my friends on my birthday next week and having a delicious at-home-dinner, I love food so much that I'm already looking forward to it lol. ... View more

Can a persons bucketlist change overtime? How do you decide if somethings worth adding to your bucketlist? I think bucketlists change a lot, at least for me. But I feel like there are some things that just have a stronger calling than others. A 'bucketlist' for me isn't specific, so it would be more vague, but big things, like moving overseas and travelling. I guess I think its worth doing if I have wanted to do it for a long time. But I also value spontaneity, so I think if you feel like doing something, just go for it.  ... View more

@ecla34 Well there were a lot of acts at the festival but my favorites were ocean alley, lime cordiale and juice wrld. I liked juice wrld and I am grateful I got to see him before his unfortunate passing, I hope he rests in peace. ... View more