Thank you so much for sharing your experience @Steph_SaneAustralia! It was really great to chat to you and hear your insights. Thanks for answering our questions tonight! ... View more

@Steph_SaneAustraliait does make sense it sounds like it really resonated with you and helped you to manage your anxious feelings, and do what you needed to despite the way you were feeling in that moment.   @letitgosleep well! Great to chat to you tonight ... View more

@scared01I absolutely love your point that every emotion is real and valid for the person experiencing it. ... View more

@Ben-RODBT sounds super interesting and a really powerful technique to help to strengthen relationships and increase understanding I'm defs going to check it out. ... View more

@scared01it sounds like you've been doing a lot of reflecting on your triggers. What does self-care look like for you, and what sorts of things have you found to be helpful if you do encounter something that's triggering for you? ... View more

Great question @letitgo! ... View more

@scared01that sounds really challenging, particularly when it can be tough to work out what your triggers may be.   @Steph_SaneAustraliait's really powerful that you can share your experiences with us tonight ... View more

@Steph_SaneAustraliathat's a really great explanation - I think there is still a lot of stigma and misunderstanding around BPD, so the more we talk openly about it the better! Thank you for sharing your experiences with all of us too - I'm looking forward to the rest of tonight's chat. ... View more

@basketofmonkeyswhat book are you reading at the moment?   Today I practiced self care by staying inside keeping warm and dry, and having a nice hot drink ... View more

Hey @redhead well done on getting through last night even though it was tough. Sounds like today has been a productive day so far. I'm wondering what you could do for some self-care this afternoon? ... View more

Right now I am chilling in a cafe waiting for my car's service to finish (and realising it's been way too long since I was last on RO - the new forums will be super exciting!) ... View more

@j95nothing better than doggos on instagram!   1. Had a productive day 2. Signed up for a really interesting workshop relevant to work and future career goals 3. Finally back on RO after looking after some of my spoons ... View more

Great outcome about footy training @j95! How did it go tonight? Love your perspectives on recognising what helps and what doesn't. Pushing yourself to go outside of your comfort zone can be tricky but so worth it. ... View more

@j95man tonight sounds really tough. I'm wondering whether you've had a bit of a chance to reflect on your Unread Letters letter to yourself? ... View more

Hey @Kish just wanted to check in and see how you are going today? We are hear to listen to you and support you ... View more

Woo welcome to RO @spicy_soybean (your name is amazing)! Please sing out for help/feedback on the builders thread if needed - we're all here to support one another. ... View more

Hey @NightNadder23 I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. We're here to listen to support you however you need so please let us know how we can best support you right now. Thinking of you ... View more

@Alison5no worries! Take care of yourself   @j95I like your point about planning things - it takes a lot of creativity to come up with new business ideas, especially when thinking about what will make your idea stand out from the rest.   @roseisnotaplantspontaneous dance parties are the best! What podcasts have you been listening to?   How do you like to express yourself?   For me it's mainly music and singing especially (lately belting out the Hamilton soundtrack, and usually in my car... ) ... View more

Next question time!   How do you like to express yourself? ... View more

Hey everyone!   1. What does creativity mean to you?   To me creativity is all about expressing yourself in whatever you like to do (including visual art or music or dance or physical activity/dance as others have mentioned so far). It doesn't necessarily have to be about the quality of what you produce - I think it's important to have fun as well. I find it relaxing to have a creative outlet such as music to relieve stress.   Creativity is also important in terms of thinking outside of the box and coming up with creative solutions to problems. ... View more

Woo @PeanutJelly148 that's so exciting! Like some others in this thread, I don't have personal experience in moving out yet (but hopefully in the next year or so...!) so I'm looking forward to learning from your experiences :) ... View more

@redhead sounds like you've had a better day today :) what did you do with your dad today? ... View more

@scared01 I'm sorry to hear that today has been particularly tough, and I'm sorry for your loss. The loss of a loved one is never easy, and it sounds like your nan was a very special person in your life. It can take a long time for these feelings to feel less overwhelming and allowing yourself time to process everything you're feeling is totally okay. You are allowed to grieve in your own way and time. Perhaps you could write about some treasured memories with your nan during your journaling time tonight? As @DruidChild mentioned, the STOP skill can be a really helpful technique. Do you think you could give that a try? Holding an ice cube in your hand is another strategy to cope with SH urges. Sometimes when we feel down, our thoughts can convince us that we are worthless or can lead us to assuming what others think of us. I'm wondering if you would feel up to challenging some of these thoughts? ... View more

@scared01it takes a lot of strength to talk about everything that's been going on, and thank you for sharing your story with us. I hope you don't mind me saying, but it really takes a lot of strength and courage to be dealing with all of these things.   I just want to stress that it is NOT your fault that you were sexually abused. It's important to be compassionate towards yourself and practice self care. This is not your fault. Some people find it helpful to talk to a counsellor who is trained in helping survivors of sexual abuse, who will not judge you and help you to move forward at your own pace. This website lists lots of services that are available depending on where you live in Aus - I'm wondering whether you would feel comfortable checking them out?   I'm sorry that you have had such a frustrating response from those health professionals. Sometimes it can be hard to find someone that you truly connect with. I'm concerned about the PTSD and physical symptoms you mentioned - I'm wondering if you have thought about seeing a mental health professional?   I get the sense from your post that you've been using SH as a way to cope with all of these negative feelings - am I on the right track here? I'm wondering if it would be helpful to work together to come up with some strategies for when you feel like SH? ... View more

Sounds delicious @redhead I'm concerned for you tonight and thinking of you. I hope you're able to get some good rest tonight. Takes so much strength to keep trying strategies even though it's really tough to resist SH urges. You deserve to be safe. ... View more