Has somebody ever shared part of their story with you? What was it like? How does finding out someone has a similar story to you make you feel?   I had a friend share a significant trauma she had been through with me after about 1.5 years of knowing her. It wasn't a conversation specifically devoted to that but she just mentioned 'I don't know if I've ever told you this' and opened up. Instantly, I felt closer to her. I wanted to let her know that I would always be there for her and lift her up through her experience. After that, we have been open about everything in our lives and we even live together which means that our home now for both of us in the perfect safe space.    Being able to connect with someone who has a similar story to me just makes me feel less crap and more secure in how I'm feeling. I know that I have support and love from them, I use them as a guide for bad days because I know that they're going through it too. As someone aiming to work professionally in the mental health field, it feels like a small victory to have people sharing their story, breaking down walls around stigma and engaging in conversations that need to be more open.      ... View more

hey @queenP I'm sorry to hear your feeling pretty down at the moment. Proud of you for coming to get support though.  Has anything changed for you recently that sparked the change in your motivation?    For me personally when I'm feel really eh and unmotivated I will write down the 3 most important/time urgent things I need to get done and tick those off for the day. Even if I only did those 3 things, it helps me to feel like I'm still on track with my normal life/responsibilities. I think it's referred to as 'eating your frogs' or something weird and even just ticking a few things off tends increase motivation.    With regards to seeing your friends, do you think continuing to see them will support you through your hard days? I think it is 100% ok to cancel plans and take time out if you're not feeling it but we also know how important a support network can be so I think you would need to ask yourself 'is this an obligation or is this going to help me'.    Don't spread yourself too thin trying to rebuild all of it at once because it's exhausting and eventually demotivating. Are you able to speak with a GP or someone about how you are feeling with regards to your depression as well?   Hope this helps sending you big hugs     ... View more

I am proud of my ability to go into new situations and quickly build rapport / show who I am.  ... View more

1. I had a great day meeting new people 2. I learnt a lot at my new volunteering job  3. I had Guzman for dinner as a treat ... View more

Great question!    What are some things that have held you back from sharing your story and talking about your experiences? For me, it's a big question of how people are going to perceive me? It can be hard to not think people are going to view you differently, even when you know it's not going be in a negative way most of the time but it can still feel like sharing my story will make me look weak or like I am telling it for attention.  Are being going to see me as a victim? Will people pity me? Both of these things I do not want from sharing my story but linger in the back of my mind.    It also depends on who I am talking with and whether sharing my story will affect the other key players in my story and how they are perceived (my parents mostly). I am less likely to share my story with family members to avoid family drama and repercussions but I am able to share my family history with those outside of my family circle a little easier.      ... View more

@svrooster I thought you might be interested in next week's getting real session about sharing your story.  It might be a great way for you to get some support or ideas about how to share more of yourself with other people. Hope to see you on there!    x ... View more

thanks @Tiny_leaf i loved your mini essay! That really helps me to understand.  ... View more

    Today I did a face mask which looked like all these little slices of tomato that you could position on spots on your face. I looked like a pepperoni pizza, it was great.  ... View more

Wow, I didn't even realise how many things could be used for stimming! I definitely play with blue tack alot, stretching and rolling it into balls so that reminded of me play dough and slime!   I didn't catch the username of who said it but someone mentioned having hypersensitivity and their surroundings, I was wondering if you could explain that more for me?    ... View more

@Lonelyboy17 that is a great way to look at things and awesome if you can stay friends. Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better @LovesFood that is a great suggestions too! Feelings won't fade over night.      ... View more

1. I like my courage to try new things and put myself out there 2. I like how caring I am for others  3. I like how I am upfront and honest when it counts most  ... View more

Hello @svrooster and welcome!    @mspaceK has offered some great tips here! Similar to this, I had someone at uni I am doing a group assignment with say to me tonight 'I'm not very good at talking to people so I'll just start by asking what your favourite music is'. I found that super courageous and it was a great conversation stater. Plus people generally love to talk about themselves so he had shifted the focus to me but still put himself out there to have a conversation.    Would you mind expanding on what you meant when you said you are paranoid in certain situations? Are there certain things that trigger your paranoid feelings?   It sounds like you are trying really hard to build your confidence in social situations and reaching out for advice on this shows a great amount of strength and determination. Don't feel like you need to change who you are completely, you are a great person!    Talk soon x     ... View more

Thank you guys!! @scared01  & @lokifish  ... View more

Great responses @xXLexi_Lou122Xx !! I can see a common thread in yours to keep fighting and that is always going to be relevant advice!  ... View more

I am looking forward to an interview tomorrow that I am very nervous about! One of those 'just let it be over' vibes.  ... View more

@N1ghtW1ng heck yeah at that list.    my positives today:  1. I got out of the house even though I felt trash  2. I got new scrunchie  3. I dropped my coffee off my table at uni and caught it with 0.2% spillage! ... View more

No problem @Lonelyboy17 . How are you feeling today? ... View more

I'll start us off     What advice would current you give to the you of 3 years ago? Think before you speak and take time to process your emotions! I had a tendency to get hurt or upset and rather than talk it out rationally, I would lash out and pull away which only left me feeling really angry and isolated.     How can you use this advice right now? Reminding myself that what I'm feeling is valid and consider everyone's perspective. It's important to remember that even though I might be hurt by someone else's actions or words, they might not know their affect on me/might also be feeling the same way. Taking time to go through the motions of what I'm feeling will help me handle things a lot better, both for myself and for those in my life.    What advice would you give to your future self 3 years from now? Remember that even baby steps are still progress towards your goals and dreams. Right now I am feeling overwhelmed by the looming deadline of graduation and getting a 'career job' that I found myself going full speed ahead and burning myself out. 3 years from now I will still be figuring everything out and I will need to remember life is not a race and taking my time will make the journey so much more worth it.  ... View more

I am grateful for a comfy bed to come home too!  ... View more

@scared01 I had icecream with milo on top today! such a treat!!    My positives were:  1. I had a yummy breakfast  2. I got great support from Reach Out  3. I moved my bod and enjoyed the exercise.  ... View more

hey @Lonelyboy17 it can be hard to know you're feelings aren't reciprocated but I always think it is important to remind yourself that you are still loveable and important.    I would suggest hanging out with any friends or family that make you feel happy, a great support network is always helpful. Do you have anyone you could plan to spend time with?      ... View more

@xXLexi_Lou122Xx I am a guilty pen chewer! I used to chew the rubber out of the end of pencils in school!    Thanks so much for sharing how you use stimming!  ... View more

@Tiny_leaf I only just heard of this the other day, my friend at work does this by chewing on little plastic bugs/chewing all their legs off. I know that a lot of people use fidget spinners and those little cubes with all the sides having different clickers/spinners etc - are these resources to engage in stimming behaviour?   Sorry if this is wrong, I don't know a lot about this but I am very interested to learn more! ... View more

@Hozzles so proud of you     I am proud of myself for putting myself first and not feeling selfish! ... View more

@mspaceK ahhh how good was the ep last night!! me must'n spoil it for anyone but AHHH!!!!   Today I practiced self-care by sleeping in and getting enough rest.  ... View more

Today I am:   1. Going to the post office  2. Working this afternoon 3. Completely some online modules for training I am doing  ... View more

My favourite part of the week was staying in and watching movies while I ate a lot of junk food with one of my good friends!  ... View more

Hey @Duck it's been a few days so I thought I'd check in and see how you're doing?   @mspaceK, @I_am_not_Groot  & @scared01 have made some good suggestions!  I noticed you said you don't have any hobbies so I thought you might be interested in checking out this hobbies thread. It might inspire you to try something new or give you an idea you haven't thought of yet. It is never too late to give something new a go . I am in my mid-twenties and still don't have a concrete hobby but I have given a lot of them a go and it was fun to try them out. Maybe ask a friend to try one with you?      ... View more