Did you manage to draw something @Tiny_leaf ? ... View more

@ecla34  such an important question! My partner and their family recently lost a grandparent - which was incredibly difficult as it was still in a COVID stage. Thankfully, they were all able to say goodbye in person. I found, honestly, just listening and being there for them helped. I am a 'fixer', I always want a solution but obviously there is no 'fix' here - it just hurts. I just tried to be a (distant, we were isolating away from each other) presence, reminding my partner they could contact me whenever they needed, talking through their emotions with them and generally reminding and reassuring that whatever they were feeling was and is valid and okay. I also chatted to my partner's sibling about this also, when they felt their grief wasn't being heard but was still being felt. I honestly believe just BEING with someone who is suffering a loss is the greatest, most powerful thing. Sometimes people don't know what they want when they're grieving, and no, you're not expected to know either (besides, everyone is different), but as a friend, you just have to be there when they know what they need, and to quietly support. ... View more

Hey all - I apologise for having to duck out, I had to get onto a meeting! But @Ngandabaa thank you so much for chatting tonight, it was really wonderful to hear a bit of your story and your message about creating and mental health and your artwork of course!! Loved reading everyone's contributions as well! Definitely made me want to get out my paints! :) ... View more

Definitely feel you that it's hardest to start - that is always my problem! I think I need to be a bit kinder to myself and lower those expectations, especially as it's about feeling not perfection ... View more

Thank you for sharing that @Ngandabaa - I feel sometimes art and creative expression is underestimated in what it does for us ... View more

Hi @Ngandabaa ! Nice to meet you! I just went and had a bit of a squiz at your work and wow! It is stunning - what gorgeous colours! ... View more

@Tiny_leafthat sounds like a really soothing and soul-warming space! Especially the mountains on the walls I feel would be quite calming and the weighted blanket as well, I have heard good things about those. I'm really glad to hear you have quite a few things in progress for things in your room that are bringing a sensory soothe. ... View more

Thank you for the tag! Similarly, I will likely have to be popping in & out as I am trying to get some work done, but I am interested to get involved in the conversation! ... View more

@lokifishI just found this thread and I have really enjoyed reading these responses! Thank you @j95 for beginning this thread. I found your words when describing your culture really powerful, thank you for sharing them. I am of Irish descent, a couple of generations back (my family came over during the potato famine) but when I went over to study in Ireland I felt such a wonderful connection and feeling of 'home' that was unexpected and wonderful to experience. Things that I love: -The history of Ireland is long and rich, trailing all the way back to the Celtic tribes living in ringforts. Visiting the Hill of Tara was a very enriching and powerful experience. -The ruins of castles, monasteries, parishes and churches on the side of the road and in the fields. Make a wrong turn and you could discover something much greater than where you were originally headed! -The rich folklore. Some of it is darker and yes often reflects cultural fears of older times, but some stories are so beautifully woven, it's impossible not to be intrigued. ... View more

Hi @hellofriend that sounds like an absolute pain being so tied up in date changes and clashes and uni red tape. I hear you - I kind of think uni's just don't really train anyone to answer enough questions and it gets handballed around until you get the right person! I do really hope you've reached the right people now though and they're able to give you some traction for change. It's disappointing the leadership program haven't been as responsive as you'd like, especially as you have mentioned (and they seem to be!) a great opportunity for you to grow and develop! Are you feeling a little less stressed by your parents' visit and how busy you are right now? It sounds like a busy and stressful time for you! Are you able to do any small acts of self care? ... View more

Hey @Tiny_leaf I'm really sorry to hear it's been rough for you - and that the waiting stage is so agitating and tiring I am quite curious - what kind of things do you use/like to make your room more sensory? ... View more

This is a very interesting thread, and also a really powerful one, especially in the state of the world at the moment.   What do you define as a loss? What does loss mean to you? One of the dictionary definitions of loss is the "state of being deprived or being without something that one has had". This quite resonated with me - being without something we once had. As many people have already explained, loss isn't limited to someone we care about dying. It can be a loss of freedom, of ideals, a non-death loss of a friend, a loss of a sense of self, a loss of a home. To me, loss is missing something you no longer have. It can be felt in a myriad of ways - frustration, anger, sadness, numbness, pain. But it also represents love - if we're grieving a loss it means we have been able to care very deeply about something or someone. And that is a beautiful thing.   How do you cope with loss? It's not easy, and it's natural for humans to fear loss and to fear the unknown path that spreads from a loss. I take solace in comfort and understanding from friends and family. Allowing myself to cry, to lean on other people and allow myself to be supported. Just remembering you're not standing alone can often help. ... View more

@Bananatime04  I understand, it can be so difficult to say goodbye My mum told me this once - sometimes people leave our lives for a reason. I mean it doesn't cover every case, but I always used it when I lost friends etc. I consider people who are no longer in my life as having been valuable to me at the time, or for teaching me lessons. I'm sorry, I'm unsure if that helps. I am sorry you're sad and I am thinking of you tonight. ... View more

@Eden1717  I can really hear your pain here and I am so sorry that both the long wait time and others' expectations are causing you such frustration. I can see you're trying really hard to hold all your anxiety and unsettled-ness together inside you and I imagine it must be exhausting. You may have touched on this before and I apologise if I am repeating a question, but does screaming into a pillow ever help soothe the need to scream? I find it does for me sometimes, which is why I ask. ... View more

Oh @Bananatime04 I'm so sorry change is really hard sometimes, especially when it involves someone we care about leaving. I think it's really important that you said she seemed sad - it seems she genuinely cared about you will miss you too. Which means you were both important to the other, which I think is really a good thing, even if it's difficult now. ... View more

@Tiny_leaf  that's okay, it's more important to focus on yourself and how you're feeling. I am really sorry about the pain in your legs :/ is there anything that might help to soothe those joints such as a heat pack which will relax the muscles and warm up your joints, or an ice pack which reduces inflammation? ... View more

@Eden1717  That makes sense, I understand what you mean. Is your psychiatrist able to offer any insight as to when you will be able to see each other face to face? ... View more

@Bananatime04  no worries at all! I am so glad you were able to reach someone who was supportive and helpful. Obviously no one will feel or be the same as Macy was to you, but you never know, you might find someone who is helpful and supportive in a slightly different way? I hope so for you CANNOT wait for the puppy spam   I agree that Netflix is self-care, good choice I hope you're feeling okay ... View more

@Eden1717I am sorry to hear you've been agitated all week. I see how that would be extremely frustrating as you can't communicate with the note the way you wanted to!! Would writing the note and reading that aloud over the phone to your psychatrist be helpful or would that still be a struggle to talk? ... View more

Hey @Bananatime04 I'm thinking of you!! I'm sorry your counsellor is leaving, it can be really hard to part with people we feel a connection to and who have helped us! Naming your pug puppy after her is such a sweet idea and Macy looks JUST gorgeous, I think my eyes turned into hearts while looking! ... View more

Hey @MB95  haha I'm glad I made enough sense to be understandable! I agree, a lot of my teachers at school did say similar things - that you're less of an individual to teachers/lecturers at uni because there's so many students! But I also had a couple of tutors who were really supportive and wonderful, so I suppose it depends on the person themselves!   Wow! Well done! It is not even slightly pathetic - I think you should be proud of yourself! Those are really great things!! I think sometimes we build up having to do these "big" things in our heads and the little achievements get eclipsed.  I'm glad it feels amazing it's really fantastic! Well done!!! ... View more

Hey @Eden1717  I am glad to hear you are able to remain with your current team rather than the community teams. I agree with @Janine-RO, I believe it is standard for allied health to communicate between different practitioners such as your psychiatrist and GP, as it helps to keep everyone on the same page. It does sound like an intense time for you. I am glad you got a little sleep. Have you been feeling agitated all day or has it just begun recently this afternoon? ... View more

Oh @Tiny_leaf that sounds really painful! is it just your leg hurting at the moment or more body parts too? I am glad to hear you've been in touch with a support worker - I do hope they are able to help you out! Did you manage to find any of the Grassroots NDIS groups @Janine-RO  was talking about? ... View more

Hey @MB95 - I absolutely understand where you're coming from! I know I am lucky to be isolating with my family, but my work is with really young kids and with COVID I only have one client, so I am really missing social interaction with partner, friends and colleagues. Being apart from people we really care about and also feel cared for by (I hope that sentence makes more sense when you read it - it sounds a bit odd to me!) can take a toll, especially with the added stress of COVID. I don't think it's silly at ALL that you're missing uni, your lecturer and your psych in fact, I think it speaks to the strength of your relationships with them - I think it's lovely your lecturer called to check in on you! I also think it's wonderful to have a genuine friend who checks in with you regularly - I know it's hard when they're far apart from you. Some of my closest friends are interstate and overseas and I miss them plenty, but we're so lucky to have social media to keep us a little virtually closer. I hope you are able to feel a little more connected today ... View more

Hey @Eden1717  it sounds like things are feeling quite intense to you and I am sorry you're feeling anxious and nervous. Were you able to go on your walk? ... View more

I'm so sorry to hear you're struggling @Tiny_leaf :( it sounds like the past few days have been really stressful and overwhelming. Did you manage to get any rest last night? ... View more

Hello @Bananatime04  I am sorry it's been a tough few days for you, especially with the stress of the move! Motion sickness is awful :( I'm sorry you're still recovering from the boat. I understand it would be really really stressful to have your mum and step-dad arguing. Perhaps the stress of the move has been affecting them as well? But it's very difficult on you to hear the arguments and have different plans being thrust upon you when your life has just moved interstate. How was school today? I'm thinking of you. ... View more

Hey @Eden1717  (apologies for delayed response, my internet had an absolute moment). I can really hear how tired and frustrated you are. I want to acknowledge - and I know we say it a fair bit on here but that is because we think it is true - how strong you are. I know being strong takes hard work and a tight grip to hold on and it can be exhausting. But I truly think you are so strong to keep fighting and opening up and trying. Can I be of any help with thinking of some ways of gaining some calm at the moment? ... View more

Hey @Eden1717    I just wanted to say I am truly sorry you have been feeling so overwhelmed and anxious and frustrated recently, times have been tough for you and it must be really difficult that the people you are speaking to aren't understanding you and listening properly. I can hear it in your posts. I truly hope your phone call with the psychiatrist goes smoothly, and that perhaps they are able to provide some help that works and helps you. ... View more

Hey @musicfan_xo I am so sorry to hear that your experience with the MH nurse was so negative. I do hope your psychiatrist appointment goes alright, given you see him quite regularly, I would suggest your psychiatrist would know you far better than the MH nurse, and hopefully choose to believe you and focus on you rather than the MH nurse's remarks.   ... View more