Oh, and good night everyone :) ... View more

So tell us one thing you'll do this week to try and boost your happiness? Continue my exercise regime. Thanks for a great GR everyone and thanks Sophie, FitzChivalry, and Ruenhonx for facilitating :) ... View more

Sometimes the things that really matter the most do not give you short-term happiness, and are in fact really tough. For example studying for a big exam or volunteering around a difficult issue (or think about child birtth! So painful but so worth it!) So tell us something you've done that was unpleasant in the short term but overall gave you a positive emotional experience in the long run? My uni degree - that was a massive struggle for me but so worth it. It was so hard but every time I overcame a challenge it was like a little emotional boost and when I finished it totally I felt so proud and fulfilled. And it's enabled me to get a really fulfilling job which is great too :) ... View more

Yes empathy is a good one @FItzChivalry ... View more

Many people argue that there are benefits to sadness - can you think of what they might be? Provides a counterpoint so you can experience the fullness of happiness, and allows you to learn and reflect (I am more reflective when I'm sad) are the main two that I can think of. ... View more

To build on this idea, tell us one thing you do or could be doing to experience more fulfillment/satifsaction, for example what's a great way you've found to achieve contentment, trust in yourself, acceptance, mindfulness, closure, and success? I have started exercising lately and I've found that has added a lot of contentment and mindfulness to my life. I can't really explain it, but I do feel more content, and I feel more mindful and present when I am exercising/ doing sport which has been really nice. ... View more

So, if happiness is temporary, what are some of the more lasting - but positive- emotions that we could be aiming for?   Oh this is hard too! I liked what Sophie said before, contentment, I think that is something good to aim for. Or maybe mindfulness or acceptance? But I'm not sure if those are emotions as such. I'm interested to hear what others think.   ... View more

Wow that's really interesting that emotions on average last 1.5 minutes @stonepixie - I didn't know that! Some people say happiness is important, but temporary - that it's only one colour on the rainbow of emotions. What would the world be like if we were all happy 24/7? I think the world would be a nice a place if people were happy all the time, because there would never be any arguments and we'd never have to be sad, but on the flipside everything would stagnate because there'd never be any progress or reflection - you need to be able to feel other emotions to move forward and make changes and progress I think. ... View more

It's been said that "contrary to popular belief, life is not about being happy" What do you think? Is happiness the aim of the game or is happiness overrated? I agree with @stonepixie - I think happiness is part of the journey, not the destination. It is good to be happy, but life is all about light and shade and you can't have happy without sad unfortunately, just like you can't have Monday without Friday, lol! ... View more

Yes I agree @Sophie-RO, contentment is definitely something I feel when I am happy. ... View more

What does happiness feel like? Happiness to me feels like happy butterflies in my stomach. When I'm happy I talk louder and faster, laugh more, and jump around more (not necessarily all together). Hey @Sophie-RO: I miss you guys too! ... View more

Yeah I know I've been slack @stonepixie! I moved out 3 months ago so I was pretty busy with that and just adjusting, and then I started tennis on Mondays so I haven't had time to come :( Glad to be back though! ... View more

When your happiest moment was? Was it planned or did it just happen?    Oh wow what a hard question... I think most of my happiest moments have been unplanned... lots of my happiest moments have been times with family and friends that weren't really 'planned' as being really happy times, they just happened :).   P.S. So happy to be back for GR! Got a rare Monday night free :) ... View more

And now for all of you: tell us, If you had to describe anxiety to someone who had never heard of it before, what would you say?   It's like being in battle with yourself constantly. For me it is constantly feeling sick, constantly worrying, constantly doubting yourself... ... View more

Hey everyone :) OK, so to kick things off tonight here is the first question: how common is anxiety do you think, among young people in Australia? I think anxiety is probably more common than people realise - it is a really debilitating condition but it can be easy to cover up at the same time. ... View more

I had someone offer me an interview on linkedin, I'd already applied for a different job with the company previously but then the lady searched me and offered me an interview when a new opportunity came up which was good. ... View more

what are some of the websites or ways you apply for jobs? In my industry it's all online, either via the industry association website, seek or government websites mainly. Or word of mouth depending on who you know. But I know for casual jobs I did a bit of walking in and dropping resumes and looking in the paper too. ... View more

What are some of your tips for making the best resume when applying for jobs? Space out your resume (lay it out clearly), ensure there are no spelling mistakes, and highlight your skills (E.g, make a small list of 3 or 4 relevant skills under each job). I also recommend getting someone (like a careers advisor) to look it over for you and give you feedback, I found it really beneficial when I was applying for graduate jobs :) ... View more

Hi everyone! Really looking forward to this chat :) What do you think employers look for in their ideal candidates for a role? I definitely agree with experience, but I also think they look for someone who is a good fit with the organisations values and ways of working - I think that is why I got my job. ... View more

I don't really know @tsnyder... Hopefully this convo will give me some ideas!! :) Have you ever used creativity or art as part of a coping method? Sure, I use writing, art and singing mostly as creative coping strategies. ... View more

What are the ways that you are creative? I think I am creative in how I do my make up, by playing piano, by writing, blogging, decorating my room, and by doing art :) Have you ever wished that you were more creative? What aspects of creativity would you like more of? I wish that I was more creative with problem-solving! It's something that I find a bit challenging and I wish I was better at it. ... View more

Hey all :) How would you describe creativity? Wow that is really hard! I think creativity is very individual and about expressing yourself or problem solving in a unique and meaningful way. ... View more

Who do you find more confronting: an inner bully or a bully in person?   Oh wow what a hard one. Probably an in-person one for me, because you have less control over that, but you never get a break from an inner bully which sucks. ... View more

@tsnyder: I mostly try to practice thought challenging strategies by writing them down when I remember. I'm a bit slack though so I probably need some new ones. How does your inner bully let you down? I think my inner bully lets me down because it is my biggest critic and stops me from doing my best, when in reality I think it should be my biggest support and enable me to overcome barriers. ... View more

Oh yes my inner bully definitely includes fear/anxiety too @safari93 - great point! ... View more

@Student94 wrote: Welcome everyone!   Tonight we’ll be talking about our inner bullies and not just the ways they let us down but how we can overpower them! That critical voice inside our heads can really get in the way of our hopes and dreams but in understanding it, we can learn to become more positive thinkers and uplift ourselves.   Tonight’s chat will be run by myself and @safari93 !   Just a quick reminder before we start to stick to the forum guidelines, so please take a squiz if you haven't so already And if you need to chat or anything please check out the services section!   So, let’s get started:   How do you define your inner bully? Describe him/her/it. Is your inner bully negative self-talk (ie. is it the voice that makes you feel crappy about yourself? My inner bully is... mean, and wants me to stay home all the time and doesn't believe I can actually do anything worthwhile which is a quite challenging and annoying :(. So yes, my inner bully is definitely negative self talk! ... View more