Aw thanks for starting this thread @ApplesRoses! I especially love the message, "You are not your grades. You are the effort you put in." I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my grades and so reading that definitely brings me back down to Earth every time I get worked up over a grade I got that I wasn't happy about. Can't wait to see other member's suggestions! :D ... View more

Hey @ApplesRoses! To answer your question - nope, you're definitely not alone in this. I also often get overwhelming feelings of stress and worry, despite there not being a direct cause to it. I recall having a chat about this with my psychologist a while ago and she said it's perfectly not unusual to get worried and stressed over things that don't have a direct cause! I think what's most important is what to deal with these stresses and worries before they take over our lives in a negative way. It's great to hear that you've been using eheadspace! Although I was wondering if perhaps you might consider talking to them in person (or maybe even seeing another different professional support like a GP, counsellor, etc.)? Maybe having face-to-face support might give you the extra help on this? Also, you've mentioned about struggling to get to sleep, right? I was wondering if you've tried meditation? I'm asking this because doing meditation really helps me a lot with taming my stresses and worries before I go to sleep. Hope this all helps! :D ... View more

Hey @jasmine12345678, I'm sorry to hear what you're going through. I can hear the pain in your voice :(. You've mentioned that you'd rather email helplines rather than call them because you don't want your parents to find out that you've been calling them by phone, right? I was wondering if you have considered contacting helplines that offer online webchat supports like what Lifeline has here and Kids Helpline does also here? Since they're done online, you don't have to worry about your parents knowing. Plus, they reply a lot quicker than emails. What do you think of this? Sending hugs of support <3 ... View more

What did you do to cope with this change? What support is out there available to us?   Chatting with my mum about it helped a lot, as she felt the same way I was feeling about it at the time as well.   In terms of coping with family changes in general, I think that speaking to someone about it can be helpful. However, when talking face-to-face to someone is not possible, then I think posting a thread on the forums is a good idea to gain other people's perspective on it, especially if they have been in the same position too. Perhaps reaching out to other mental health supports like Kids Helpline and Lifeline can also help too, especially if becomes all too pain-inducing in terms of emotions at that moment. ... View more

Thank you for sharing your story with us @Bananatime04  <3. Parents divorcing can still take a huge mental and emotional toll on us, even it happened so many years ago. May I ask how posting that story with us made you feel now?   Wow, moving away from home for uni is one thing, but moving to another COUNTRY for it is an entirely different matter @drpenguin! I'm glad that you've learnt a lot more about yourself in your time being in another country away from home :)   Thank you for sharing your story @Maryhadalittlelamb. Sorry to hear about what you're going through ever since your brother moved out :(. I was wondering if you had a chat to someone else besides us about this?   Sorry to hear about your sister @WheresMySquishy. I can feel the pain and emotional toll it has taken on you and your family :(. Carers' health and well-being are just as important as the patients they care for. Sending my hugs and well-wishes of support along your way.   Wow, that must be one interesting household to live in @Bre-RO! I can totally relate to your frustrations with accommodating new people living in your household   Have you had any changes in your family that have had an impact on you? How did it make you feel at the time? For me, it was when my family moved interstate and had to leave my dad behind briefly for a few months because of his work :(. It felt so weird and uncomfortable living away from him because it felt like a part of me and my family has been taken away with him, you know? It felt like our family was a heart, and one quarter of it was just taken away. ... View more

Hey @AppleRoses (love your username btw!), Thanks so much for updating us on how you're going :). It's so great to hear that you've been working to get better - I'm really proud of you for doing so. Fighting tough times with our minds can be SO difficult, and your approaches to combatting it (self-care, talking to someone, being more compassionate) are really good approaches in doing so. Kudos to you! Anyway, it's also great to hear that you find our community being safe and supporting :). We love having you here just as well! Looking forward to hearing more from you! Wishing you all the best :D ... View more

Hey @statuscaring, nice thread! FYI, I'm not sure if you are aware of this already, but we have a similar thread on gratitude that was done almost two years ago here. We also did a Weekly Well-being activity on creating a gratitude wall here some time ago! Hopefully, you'd enjoy checking both of these threads out (if you haven't done so already)!   Anyway, today I'm grateful for the day off so I can kick up my feet and relax for a moment before I go back to studying for my upcoming quizzes for uni this week *sighs*. However, I'm also especially grateful to live a life surrounded by people I love :) ... View more

Loving this thread idea @Jess1-RO! <3 :D   Pick a gif that represents your relationship with study at the moment I chose this particular gif because my assessments are making me pretty exhausted at the moment and I'm kinda struggling to find the motivation to write my assignments :/.  Tell us a little bit about your studies I'm currently studying an undergraduate degree in psychology with my Honours year being next year (yay for almost at the finish time, but yikes because it's Honours haha). I'm technically full-time but only doing three courses which I find it a bit less stressful than doing the usual four. Even though it has taken me longer to complete the degree because of it, I don't regret this decision one bit :)   What do you enjoy about your studies? Like @Jess1-RO, the content in my psychology studies are super interesting    What are the signs that you are stressed from studying/experiencing study stress? Headaches Eyes drooping Hands, arms and/or legs shaking Feet constantly tapping Biting my nails Increased heart rate Rapid breathing What are your top study stress busters/coping strategies? Take regular breaks!  Drink lots of water Plan out your study. I've learnt in a lecture recently that research shows planning (despite you not ending up achieving your plans) can significantly reduce stress! Maintain a healthy diet Introduce a reward system such that you reward yourself after completing a certain task Talking to other people about your study stresses. I find talking to my friends where we vent our study stresses reduces my own study stresses knowing that I'm not alone in my stresses. Does that make sense? Don't be afraid to contact your teacher/tutor/lecturer for extensions or extra help if you need it Make use of any school/uni counselling services if you need it. Also, take advantage of any disability support services available. I'm not sure about other schools/unis, but I'm pleasantly surprised by my uni's options for helping those with mental illnesses! Set a goal for managing study stress! My goal for managing study stress is to exercise and eat healthy more so that I become more refreshed and not as exhausted when it comes to studying time.     (Had to include Lizzo gif because I adore her ahaha) ... View more

Hey, @Jade2004, I can imagine learning Korean is difficult! I was wondering if you have used the app, Duolingo, before? I'm currently using it to learn Japanese. I've also previously used it as a study tool when I was studying Spanish at uni, and I've found it really helpful in learning a new language. What do you think of this? ... View more

I recently got into journaling which I think is a great way of letting out all your current stresses, worries and other thoughts into paper!   ... View more

California! Name an ice-cream flavour ... View more

250,471 250,472 250,473 250,474 250,475 ... View more

Llama!   ... View more

Alas, here is our final question for this week's slow-mo GR: What research should you do before finding which psychologist (or any support service in general) is right for you?   Can't wait to hear all your answers @queenP @ecla34 @letitgo @Tasi @WheresMySquishy @Claire-RO @recharging_introvert @MisoBear @Hozzles @jesseka_grace @Tiny_leaf @hellofriend @scared01! (By the way, I'm amazed at how many users participated in our discussion this week!)   ... View more

Wow, your past weekend sounds amazing @statuscaring (except standing in the freezing cold part haha - that must've been such a challenge!)! Mainly my weekends are unexciting as I usually spend them working/studying but when I do have some free time, I just enjoy sleeping in and taking naps (I LOVE TAKING NAPS haha). I also, like you, enjoy baking. Either way, loving your suggestions! ... View more

Even though I've introduced myself on these threads way too many times, I still enjoy doing them haha   Top three songs that always make you dance (or 3 that made you dance recently) 1. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift 2. I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston 3. Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners     An animated movie/show you'd see again? AHHHH that's a toughie! Probably The Lego Movie!   Would you rather be friends with a dinosaur or pirate? A pirate, specifically Captain Jack Sparrow   Would you rather swim in a pool of Jelly or Marshmallows?  Marshmallows (or @letitgo's alternative option of sorbet if that is accepted!)   Speaking of Marshmallows; have you roasted any this winter? Or do you prefer them in hot chocolate? Sadly no :(. But I do really like them in hot chocolate! ... View more

Had to share this one from one of my all-time favourite comedians, Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias: ... View more

Loving all your responses to the questions so far guys! I'm also enjoying reading the discussion you guys have on psychologist rapport :).   I've decided to create a wordcloud based on your answers to question 1 on what qualities you think a psychologist should have: It seems "nonjudgmental" and "respect" are the most popular qualities! What do you guys think of this?  @ecla34 @MisoBear @Tasi @Tiny_leaf @WheresMySquishy @lokifish @Hozzles @hellofriend    ... View more

I AM!!!!! Also, a big fat YES to Netflix hurrying up and add season 6!   ... View more

Hey @Tiny_leaf, sorry to hear that you've had some pretty bad experiences with the mental health treatment provider :(. Like you, I often come across articles (especially on social media) that bully gender diverse populations. Even positive articles I read on Facebook (like those published by Queer Voices) always happen to have negative comments under them, which turns my happiness from reading the positive article into upset and disappointment :(. ... View more

that sounds tough @scared01, especially since it's such a rare condition :(. Have your doctors told you any information about your infection, like what it is, etc.? ... View more

Hey @scared01, sorry to hear that you've been diagnosed with a rare infection :(. You're right: that is scary and unexpected news. However, it's great that they've managed to identify early - makes recovery a lot easier, don't you think? How are coping with this new diagnosis at the moment? As always, sending hugs - I hope you'll get better soon! ... View more

Loving the ways you two @letitgo and @scared01 are reframing the negatives! @letitgo that's so horrible that your lecturer pointed out something you did wrong in front of everyone - but at least it's great to hear you've got friends you can reach out for support! :D. @scared01 receiving a new diagnosis can be such a shocking and overwhelming experience, isn't it? But it's good to hear that it is treatable. Best wishes with your recovery :) ... View more

Yay you @scared01! Also YES @N1ghtW1ng! ... View more

That sounds nice @scared01! (The watching movies and resting bit, not the shocking and scary news, obviously haha). What movies have you been watching? I'm currently watching Zombieland on Netflix.   I'm sorry to hear the news you've heard yesterday :(. Feel free to make a new thread to talk about the news you've received if you want to :). That must be so tough to handle especially with the therapy issues you're also handling at the moment :(. ... View more

Yeah that sucks, doesn't it? But I agree with what @Bre-RO has said: that it's perfectly okay to take some time open up about things. How are you looking after yourself today? ... View more

Hey @scared01, thanks for starting the new thread called "therapy issues" :). I've already posted a reply on it. Hopefully, the new thread will be able to flesh out things a bit more and give the right support you need :D. Sending hugs as always <3 ... View more

Hey @scared01, thanks for tagging me in this thread :). I believe that the others have given great advice - therapy is really all about trial and error, and I can definitely vouch for this from my own personal experience! I especially like @Bee's idea communicating by writing it down if you feel uncomfortable talking about it verbally :). You've mentioned that you don't like to talk about people behind their backs, even though those same people didn't treat you well, am I right? May I ask is it because you feel bad for doing so and hence that explains why you struggle with opening up about the things you want to talk about? Also, you've previously mentioned that you don't like attending the centre as it makes you feel nervous, am I right? I was wondering if you have brought this up with your psychologist yet to see if you both can come up with ways to make you feel nervous and more comfortable coming into the centre? ... View more

My doona Green ... View more