@Sonny !   Oh I'm glad my response related to you <3    It's honestly the best part of the forums, finding people who relate to you and realising how normal these struggles are!   I hope the videos help, I won't lie when you first listen to the they sound very silly :P    ... View more

Hi @Sonny,   Welcome to the forums!!   I find it's a release to talk on here to other people, I hope typing out some of your thoughts here also helped you :)   I think @gina-RO's suggestion of speaking to a professional could be a good idea. I find sometimes that it's nice to talk to someone who is completely separate from my life and who I don't feel like I'm burdening. It sounds like you have a really supportive boyfriend though so that's really great!   Also, this may seem silly, but sometime when I can't sleep I listen to sleep meditation videos on youtube haha! They don't work every time but sometimes I find them useful because it makes my mind focus on what they're saying and stops me chasing thoughts all night.   A friend reccomened the videos for me, let me know if you try them and if they work at all for you!   <3 Tasi ... View more

Hi @blobby,   @Esperanza67 and others have given such great support. I hope you don't mind but I just thought I would chime in to say I wanted send you good thoughts for your really difficult day.   I hope you take care of yourself while you're busy and look forward to hearing from you when you next feel like coming back to RO xxx ... View more

Hi @Beefsteak95,   You have got some great advice so far!   I just thought I would add to what @lr8991 said, that if you feel up to it, it might be nice to have a conversation with your partner about how finding this stuff makes you feel. It may feel like an intimidating conversation, but if your partner is aware of your emotion they may be able to make sure this stuff is out of sight or you guys could come to some kind of resolution together.   Goodluck though! Exes are quite tricky. My partner and I have the problem where I quite like to talk about each others exes and he hates it. My partner and I once had a conversation about exes and each others boundaries and I think that really helped even though the idea of those conversations always make my stomach feel sick.   Even if this stratergy isn't right for you, I'd love to hear about how you have been going since first reaching out <3 ... View more

I am glad your headache is gone @xXLexi_Lou122Xx !   I am feeling a but headachey today as well because I'm sick, but luckily I have today off so I'm feeling relaxed and soon to be rested  ... View more

Hi @Lonelyboy17 ,   You have got some great advice so far and I hope you are coping well!  I think its important to make sure you are taking care of yourself in this situation, so limiting the time you spend with this friend or setting up boundaries. Obviously keep being their friend and hanging with them but even though you may feel like you want to spend all your time with them because you care for them I think maybe a bit of space will help you move on? I find it impossible to move in from people without a little bit of space.   I agree with @mspaceK that you should make sure you are still doing things with other people.   Its a hard line between keeping a good friend but also making sure you give yourself time to process the change in how you think of this friend and giving yourself the opportunity to meet someone new.  What type of activities do you both do together? ... View more

Sounds like you ended up having a pretty decent day today @xXLexi_Lou122Xx !   Im feeling accomplished but sleepy because I got a lot of work and some exercise done today   Also a bit preemptively nervous cause I know I have alot of working coming soon  ... View more

Yeah me too @xXLexi_Lou122Xx ,   In good news today I am feeling pretty happy because I played netball which I really enjoy ... View more

Also @mspaceK I hope.you are starting to feel better! ... View more

Hey,   Today I played netball and I did a bit of study and hung out with my partner.   You guys seemed like u had productive days! I used to do Duolingo in Spanish but I haven't for a while... u reminded me I should start up again 😊 ... View more

Oh my gosh, such adorable doggos on here!   This is my beautiful Doggo (who for some reason loaded sideway lol) and is the love of my life <3    ... View more

Hi @mspaceK did you end up swimming? It's one of my favorite exercises but you reminded me I haven't swum in ages   Today I planned to write a part of an essay I really didn't want to write. It is due on wednesday but because I don't want to write this one I am trying to do small bits over a couple days because It's easier to motivate myself to do parts than write the whole thing   Today I also took my dog on a really long walk while I listened to a podcast. I find going outside is a really good way to clear my mind and I was getting into procrastinate space. When that happens I like to do something completely different and come back instead of trying to keep working. Sometimes I think my mind wandering is it telling me it needs a break! ... View more

I hope your shower has made you feel better @xXLexi_Lou122Xx !    For some reason I always find taking a shower helps me to get into a new mind frame.   This morning I was feeling frustrated because I had to spend a sunny day writing an essay I really didn't want to but now I feel satisfied because I got some of it done :) ... View more

Hi @keezeik,   I just wanted to say I'm sorry I missed this thread last week. I had a very stressful week and needed to take some time for myself to get through a big pile of work.   It looks like you got some great advice from @Taylor-RO and @xXLexi_Lou122Xx  though, which is really good :)   It sounds like you really care about this friend and that you guys speak about some really interesting stuff! I have some of the best conversation with friends of mine who have different interests. ... View more

@keezeik  sounds good :) I'm glad you made a decision based on your own needs   I guess if they reach out again after the party you will know if they had intended to reach out or it was an accident ... View more

Hey @keezeik,   I definitely have some old friends who I used to hangout with a lot but since have realized they actually aren't that good as friends or aren't good for my state of mind. I sort of put them in the 'sometime friend box' where if I see them or they turn up to something I am at I will talk to them and have fun but I don't rely on them for support like I do my close friends.   One good thing about your situation is the ball is definitely in your court. If you decide the friend's relationship to you is definitely toxic and it would be harmful to your mental health to go I think it's never wrong to look out for yourself.   On the other hand, maybe now your friend is genuinely trying to reach out again and you could go for a little bit (maybe suggest you have another event or bring a friend with you) so if you see any toxic signs you can leave quickly.    I guess I don't know much about the friend though! Would you like to rekindle your friendship? Or have you been happier since it has drifted? ... View more

1. What did you do, or will you do this week to treat yourself?  I let myself have a bit of a more 'chill' week workwise with more me time than usual   2. Think of something nice you can say to yourself as your receive/ give this gift to yourself . imagine you were someone else getting it for you, and what you would write on the card, or say as you gave the gift. Why do you deserve this gift? Tasi, you deserve not be 100% full force all the time. That is a recipe for burning out. You may feel less productive this week but over all this will help to keep you going and you should never feel guilty for needing down time or having a slower week. ... View more

@lennycat2017  yes 100% I have done that! I have done it while actually being on the phone complaining about not having my phone hahaha!   @Bananatime04 yeah it does hurt sometimes.... I think I mostly just laugh at how silly I have been! Who knew phones were so dangerous? ... View more

Hi @Aluzar,   Welcome to the RO forums.   It sounds like you are dealing with a lot right now and it is such a good thing that you have expressed yourself here. I really just wanted to echo the sentiment that RO is a very supportive community.    @Jane_Rose has given you some really great resources already. Particularly the link to a self care plan. I often use the resources here when I am feeling over whelmed. If you do use any of them I would love to hear if they helped you.   How was your day at school?     ... View more

Hi @cj123,   I just wanted to also jump in and say welcome   @lennycat2017 has made some really great points. I agree with them that it is great to connect with people over hobbies. I find if I am going to a class or an event for something I like it takes the pressure of meeting people away. You can focus on doing the thing you like and end up sharing in the experience which I find makes talking to people much easier.   Also as @lennycat2017 said the RO community is very friendly and you can always find support here :) ... View more

@dncinginthedirt    Lol I can definitely relate   Also, have you ever done the thing where u are on your phone in bed and you drop it on your face? For some reason this made me think of that! ... View more

I smiled because my dog went outside to bury his greenie in the backyard and he came back into the house with his snout covered in dirt! So cute haha ... View more

This is a very good post and climate change can be such a scary thing to worry about.   It is very small steps but my resolution this year was to try and cut out all one use plastic and I have been doing pretty good!   I have also been thinking of changing my bank account to one that doesn't invest in fossil fuels.... maybe a long shot but does anyone have any advice for that? ... View more

Hi @xXLexi_Lou122Xx ,   Thanks for sharing your songs!    I am always looking for new stuff to listen to on my bus ride so I'll have to give them a listen. I also really love Meg Mac... her cover of Grandma's Hands is so soulful. I always interpret as someone who was going through something who had their grandma as a support system and now they don't and they are figuring out how to do it on their own. Maybe that is the meaning who knows?   I find music super therapeutic. Do you ever find the meaning of a song changes over time as your in a different spot in your life? ... View more

Hey @xXLexi_Lou122Xx ,   This is a cool thread.... I am really big Hozier fan and I find meaning in pretty much all of his songs. Really sappy but his song 'Movement' always makes me think of my partner and how much what we do can affect the people in our lives.   What about you? Were you thinking of any songs when you made the post?   ... View more

Hey @Bananatime04 ,   Thanks for alerting me to the trigger warning, that was really great for you to do. I did read the thread and I'm sad to hear about what got you down today. I will say though that it sounds like you are getting some great support over on that thread with members sharing their experiences. I guess relating to the confidence stuff I know from experience bringing this kind of stuff up takes a lot of bravery and the fact that you are already thinking that you want to tell someone to me makes me think you are pretty brave.   From what I can tell you seem really supportive on that thread and care for others even when you are going through stuff which is very admirable.  ... View more

Hey @Bananatime04 ,   Please don't apologize! It sound like you've had a day of some tough stuff that was outside your control so, congrats on surviving it!!   I'm sorry to hear that something has put you down today. If you wanted to talk about it I'm here to listen but if you have worked through it already and don't want to bring it back up I understand. Other than that I hope your day at school went ok :) I have had a very unproductive day of procrastination (oops)   Lastly, please know everyone deserves help <3 and there is usually more than one way if a certain kind of help isn't working out   ... View more

Hey @Bananatime04 ,   I hope it goes really well today and that @letitgo's advice really works for u!!   I was thinking about your thread today and I realised I completely forgot that other than writing down what I want to say, the other thing I do is listen to really pumped up music right before I have to do something that makes me nervous! It sounds silly but I pretend I'm in a movie with a great sound track and I feel super great walking around with my ear phones in hahah!   If you have some music that hypes you up I recommend!   ... View more

Hey @Bananatime04 , I definitely get nervous talking to people (are icebreaker games anyone else's actual nightmare?). I think talking to a counselor is also a really great place to work on it as well as it's a supportive person in a one on one environment :)    I find I always feel most nervous when I'm not prepared, sometimes I think I'm prepared in my head but then coming to say it out loud is a whole other thing. Before I have to talk about something I always either write it down or practice out loud to myself because I find knowing the literal words I want to say always makes me feel more confident.   Have you ever tried something like before seeing your counselor? ... View more

Hey @keezeik,   How are you today?    And I hope that method helps you a bit! Writing was my least favorite thing in school and it's really helped me :)   Also I think you may find to a lot of people don't mind if you end up explaining things in a round about way, I don't think I've ever walked away from a conversation thinking they didn't get to the point quick enough   Hope you had a great Tuesday :)  ... View more