Hey @sepiidaesa    I'm our messages helped you to feel a bit better about the situation. I think when you have feelings for someone it is totally normal to feel nervous around each other!    I'd love to hear how you go with making conversation   ... View more

Hey @MB95    When there's heaps of things going on and your mind is busy it can be such a relief to get it all down on paper. It's nice to see you say that you're beginning to realise that your therapist does care about you - from what you've said about her, I would agree with you. It takes time to feel safe though and that's totally okay.    Glad to hear that your walk by the river lifted your spirits. Have you got anything nice planned for the weekend?  ... View more

As always, beautiful support given and received between you both @xXLexi_Lou122Xx and @Bananatime04  ... View more

@Tiny_leaf Are there any times where it's just you and mum? Maybe that would be a good time to chat. You're very articulate so I'm sure you'll be able to explain why top surgery is what you have decided will work for you. Either way we will be here for you, before and after the chat   ... View more

Hey @Bananatime04    Glad to hear you got a surprise visit from your pop! Sounds like it has really lifted your mood   ... View more

Awesome idea for a well-being activity! @ecla34    I totally related when you spoke about struggling to find motivation to get out of bed. On my off days I make a point of putting my phone on charge in a different room, so I don't get stuck scrolling endlessly on my phone in bed (such a trap for me). One of my other hacks to get going for the day is to walk up to the local cafe to get coffee. By the time I've had a little walk, got some fresh air and caffeine, I'm usually keen to start my day.    I also trick myself into eating like you do @Tiny_leaf - my go to food is pasta! So if I'm struggling to eat that will usually get my appetite going.   Another thing I try to do is keep all my important vitamins/medications in various places (as I'm very prone to forgetting them). So I'll have a pack of everything I need in my purse, on my bedside table, on my desk at work. That way when I suddenly remember they are usually within reach.    Keen to read through everyone's answers :)  ... View more

Does pizza belong on pineapple?  ... View more

Super excited to see such amazing questions coming in!   ... View more

Aw @sepiidaesa it sounds like you really care about this girl. I totally understand why you'd be thinking about her every night and just for the record, I don't think that makes you a stupid idiot!    I can also hear that you are really caring and have noticed that she has been sad this year. Maybe she would appreciate you keeping her company like you did on the night of the ghost tour. It can be super nerve wracking to make conversation, so I understand why it would be hard.    We actually had a chat here about meeting new people and why it can be hard but also some tips on how to work through it. Give it a read if you think that might be helpful     Also, big welcome to the forums and thanks for making your first post!  ... View more

@Tiny_leaf it can be so hard when you feel like you're about to tell someone important to you something they weren't expecting. I know for me it just feels awkward and tense having to have conversations like that.    As I'm sure you know, this is an ever evolving process of getting to know yourself and want you do and don't want to feel good in your skin/identity. I hope mum gets that and is supportive   ... View more

@SomeoneNADJS    Hey R,    It's good to see you come here and tell us about what's going on for you. I'm really hearing just how hard things have been, especially in the past two days. Thank you for coming here to tell us how you're feeling (and I hope to hear from other system-mates on how they are feeling, if they want to share). I'm glad to hear that you are all safe but I can sense that there is a lot of pain being experienced by yourself and other system-mates.   Know that we are here for each of you and that this community is a safe space where you can share and express, from the perspective of each system-mate. Whenever you feel comfortable to share the new in-system issue that you're dealing with, we will be here to listen and support how we can   ... View more

Heya @scared01    Thanks for the tag     I think this is a great idea for a thread. Even though the quotes can be about anything, I'll start it off with one about mental health. This one reminds me of all the amazing and strong members of this community:    "The strongest people are those who win battles we know nothing about"      ... View more

@xXLexi_Lou122Xx Strange. I've tried it again..let me know if that makes a difference? If not I'll get someone to help me.  ... View more

Good morning everyone! Sorry about that and thanks for flagging - the form should be fine for everyone to use now. Let me know :)  ... View more

Hey @Anonymous    Welcome to ReachOut :)    It's great to have you here and good work for making a big step towards meeting people. Online can be a really good place to start, especially if it's something you struggle with. If you like there is a place here where you can introduce yourself to the community.    I just had to let you know that I edited your post as we stay anonymous on this forum. If you'd like to you can read through our guidelines in more detail here when you have time.  ... View more

Today I practised self care by being honest about my feelings and speaking my truth. It isn't easy but it feels like I'm looking after myself better than I have in the past :)  ... View more

Hey @Eden1717    I'm hearing you. The struggle and heaviness you're feeling, is really coming through in your words. What are you up to today and how are you feeling right now? ... View more

Wow @Tiny_leaf that is a big step. Have you thought about how you want to bring it up?  ... View more

Hey @Tiny_leaf    It must be weighing so heavy on you to feel like all of your actions will negatively impact you and the people around you. Thinking about all the things that can potentially go wrong is so painful and scary.   You must feel exhausted but I'm grateful that even though this must be taking up so much of your energy, that you continue to share how your feeling with the community.  ... View more

Hope you both don't mind if I chime in on this. First off, thanks for expressing your thoughts on the Royal Commission. You both pointed out how frustrating they can be and I respect how you have both articulated the issues around not listening to people who encounter services every day and the complaints/feedback they provide. We share your hope that services will receive the resources they need to support all people with a disability in the community and their families, friends, carers and supporters, to live their best life.    I also wanted to acknowledge the varying experiences and perspectives being shared here. In terms of being someone with autism and caring for someone with autism. Both feelings and perspectives are valid and we are happy you've felt able to express that here. ReachOut encourages these kinds of conversations as they are an opportunity for us to express our feelings/life experiences and learn from each other, while also being mindful there are also 10s to 1000s of people who will also read along this conversation too.    It's a complex discussion that you're having but we did want to give a gentle reminder to ensure that we are thinking about how our language could be interpreted to others reading on. While the community continues unpacking what contributes to the pressures felt for individuals and families, let's be mindful of wording so that this can be a safe and inclusive conversation for all to feel comfortable to read and post to.   Here at ReachOut we like to do reframes to ensure our language is stigma free and safe for all, so looking at words like "deficit" and reframing to "challenges". I am sure you can think of many more too! We just want to make sure everyone is heard and feels validated here on the forums   ... View more

Hey @aebarrie12    I think you're totally right - everyone moves at their own pace! It would be a little unsettling to feel tension between yourself and a friend. What you do comes down to what you feel comfortable with, do you feel like you could say that everyone moves at their own pace? Or bring it up in some way?  ... View more

Hey @Jae    That sounds like a really tough thing for you to be going through. I'm hearing how much it's impacting you to have people touching your things. Thanks for coming here to chat about it, that's a great step towards understanding what is happening for you.    You mentioned that you will get dizzy and hallucinate when this happens. Would you feel comfortable telling me a little more about what happens when you hallucinate? I can imagine that wouldn't be a nice thing for you to experience.    We are here to listen to whatever you're happy to share :)  ... View more

Aww @xXLexi_Lou122Xx struggling with sleep can have such an impact.   It sounds like you're trying really hard to juggle everything, which is really hard to do when you're running on empty. Good on you for persevering and telling yourself that you'll get there     How are you feeling today?      ... View more

Good morning @Eden1717    You put your feelings into words really well. The analogy of hanging onto a fraying rope really painted a picture of how much pain you're feeling. What I can also hear is that while you don't feel strong, you're surviving.     You also giving support to others who are in pain, while you're trying to get by and survive yourself. I think that's really admirable and we are grateful to have you here.  ... View more

Morning @Bananatime04    I can see you had a really hard night. I'm thinking of you this morning      I really wanted to recognise the beautiful support that took place last night, it's clear that you all care for each other You all make this place really special.    Thank you for sharing what helps you cry @xXLexi_Lou122Xx and thank you to @Eden1717 for acknowledging that sometimes it just happens when you feel ready to release those emotions. When I need a release of emotion sometimes I'll watch a touching film or listen to music that helps me process my sadness.    Another absolute gem was shared here by @Tiny_leaf and I think what you said about self-care was incredibly wise.    "All you need to do to deserve it is to exist."    That is so true, thank you for sharing your insight with us all.    ... View more

Ugh I relate @Tiny_leaf I've been getting attacked every night my mosquito's. I got bitten in the middle of my hand...which is such a random/sensitive spot.    Aw...I hope your fish baby is okay and that you're able to get some good advice from those who have more experience.      ... View more

Hey @YellowButtercup    I just wanted to say hi and introduce myself to you. Thank you for sharing what has been happening for you and your family here with us     There has been some really lovely comments here and I just wanted to echo what others have said already. It was very brave of you to share your thoughts and feelings about this situation with your Dad.    I hope the articles that @WheresMySquishy shared are helpful as well   ... View more

Hey @xXLexi_Lou122Xx    Just catching up on your posts and wanted to say how much I love this quote of yours.    "I survived today as well, and I will keep surviving"    So much perseverance in those words Hope your day at school isn't too tiring for you and that you're able to have a better sleep tonight.  ... View more