What do you do for mental health?

[LilyElizabeth]

Ryrin, you have had so much going on! It's time for a good long break from the bad stuff. It sounds like you are pretty good at self-care. That's great!

[Ryrin]

4 hours ago, Elgee said:

Man, that is an awful lot to deal with! *hugs gently*

Hopefully you find some comfort and support here. And fun. Fun is essential.

Thank you. I need to spend more time here. Yes, fun is essential. Stitches come out today! 🙌

[Ryrin]

4 hours ago, LilyElizabeth said:

Ryrin, you have had so much going on! It's time for a good long break from the bad stuff. It sounds like you are pretty good at self-care. That's great!

 
Yes, I am good at it. I usually get weekly massages at the massage therapy school. It’s much less expensive there. I forgot to mention that. Since my stitches are out today, I can schedule one and just have him leave my right hand alone. 

I start occupational therapy for my hand. It’s fun and I like the staff there. 

 

I’m going out to lunch with my friend on Friday. 
 

I think the extreme heat just sucks out my energy. 
 

[LilyElizabeth]

Tell me about it. We're at 112 degrees today. 

[Ryrin]

On 4/27/2024 at 8:26 AM, LilyElizabeth said:

I happen to teach a class on self-care, if anyone is interested, I can try to run it here. 

 

For me, it's music (my commute to work is sacred - don't interrupt my music time), playing on DM, playing Sims, time with my furbabies, and my therapy, but therapy is more challenging to me. 

 

Edit - I forgot the most soothing thing to me - spending time with my family. 

I’m interested. 

[Ryrin]

On 7/24/2024 at 6:37 AM, Elgee said:

Man, that is an awful lot to deal with! *hugs gently*

Hopefully you find some comfort and support here. And fun. Fun is essential.

I’m like you. I want to be here and then I don’t come here. Make it make sense. 

For the first time in a long time, I don’t have a surgery scheduled! 

 

[LilyElizabeth]

20 hours ago, Ryrin said:

I’m interested. 

 

It's posted in the Yellow Ajah. At least the first two lessons. If anybody does them, I'll post lesson 3.

[Leala]

So, because of my ADHD, just one thing doesn't cut it.

 

But, whatever I do, I try to keep one thing in mind.  Giving myself grace.  Before I found out I had an anxiety disorder, I was super hard on myself.  It took time and patience to apply the grace I give to others to myself, and sometimes it's a struggle, especially on days when I spiral.

 

But, some things that help nowadays are reading (both audiobooks and physical books), crocheting, and playing D&D.

[Elgee]

12 hours ago, Leala said:

It took time and patience to apply the grace I give to others to myself, and sometimes it's a struggle

 

I think that's a thing a lot of us struggle with. Why is it so hard??? But good on you for working on that! *hugs*

[Leala]

It's become my favorite thing to say when people ask "what's one piece of advice you would give?" 

 

Be kind to yourself.  

[Catt Wiltz]

My mental health self care looks a bit different these days.  I have pretty severe depression and anxiety as a result of dissociative identity disorder (DID), so I do weekly therapy.  That's pretty much a non-negotiable right now, and I have been doing really well lately with the help from therapy and meds.  Before I found out all this about myself it was really hard to self regulate, but having DID (best examples I can come up with for what that is like is Lews Therin and Young Bull combined with the Warder bond, oddly enough!) has made me a lot better at figuring out how to manage and regulate things.

 

For self care, I do at least one blanket fort day a week where I don't really bother doing anything important at all.  I also have some physical therapy stretches and PT yoga I do that helps, and fiber arts always help as well.  Also, cuddles from my cats!  Cats are the ultimate weighted stuffies.

[Leala]

First, I'm so happy to see you here! 

 

Secondly, I've seen your journey through a lot of that.  I'm so proud of you.  🤍

 

Blanket fort days sound amazing!  We all need a break, and that sounds like a wonderful way to do it.  And, kitties are always the best.  Even when they're gnawing on the Christmas tree or tying to steal my yarn.  😂

[Cross]

oh gosh i've been yearning for a good blanket fort. something that just totally sends me back to childhood where the stress didnt exist and i was just plainly happy. that is such a good idea

[LilyElizabeth]

Welcome to DM. I have to agree that cats are the best stress reliever there is. I wish mine were more cuddly.