topic A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬 in Staying well

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Charli76 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 02:12:15 GMT

Hi Everyone xx😘

Im new to this forum & hesitant about voicing my story..

BUT, in saying that. I understand that by 'helping others', I may help myself today.

Ive been told by 'professionals' that "IF" YOU can get through this hour, you'll be ok! Then try the next & so on!!

At first I thought!! "Are you kidding ME!!"

But, I DO try this! BUT have broken it down to be "MORE" achievable & 'specific' to my needs.. AND it "CAN HELP!" Most of the time, but unfortunately 'not always!'

This HELPS 'NOT' just when I'm very LOW but to 'slow my mind' so I can concentrate sometimes.

An HOUR is "WAY TOO LONG" for me!!

SO INSTEAD, I "Set a Timer" on my phone for 5 minutes!!

IN that 5 minutes! I TRY to "FOCUS" on "WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE!!" For example: Put a load of washing on or making breakfast.. Simple things that are 'easy' for most people but "EXTREMELY HARD" for some!!

If I need to Stop "AFTER" the timer has gone off, I give myself a break. ( Although it's usually only around 10 minutes break!) . I have "NO NEED" to feel "GUILTY" if I do, because "I ACHIEVED MY FIRST GOAL!!"

BUT ACHIEVING THAT GOAL!! It Makes me feel like if I 'Try Again" I CAN GO FURTHER!!

THAN, I set another timer!! IF I managed those first 5 Minutes!! "WITHOUT!" Needing the break "AFTERWARDS" I'll "INCREASE" the Timer to 10 minutes!!! AND So on!!

For ME, it's about "Pushing myself" "Slowly" & on "MY CAPABILITIES" "NOT" what anyone else says "I SHOULD" be able to do!!

I sincerely hope this helps someone xx😘

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Charli76 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 02:22:36 GMT

MOST Days it "Helps Greatly!" And others not as much!

It ALL depends on how I am on the day!!

BUT, If there is ONE THING I've learnt over the years about my illness, is THAT I MUST SET "ACHIEVABLE GOALS" for MYSELF!! And my OWN 'specific needs!'

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

greywolf2 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 02:36:36 GMT

Hi Charli

I want to be able to read your post but all the uppercase words are confusing for me. So are the emjoi letters and numbers. It's hard when I'm in this depressed place, so simple is best for me to understand.

I think you're excited to share, so please can you just write normal?

Grey

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Jugglin_Strugglin — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 03:13:51 GMT

Thanks Charli,

Im gonna try it. Sounds like a great idea.

I tell myself 'baby steps' to try and break things down to achievable levels. This has not been working lately. I am a master procrastinator, and this has led me deeper into the black hole.

Lately, I tell myself if I can achieve just one thing for the day, then that's a win, but I still often fail.

My problem will be to just press the start button (or can wait another 30mins) but I'm gonna give it a try now. I'll let you know.

Thankyou SOOOO much for posting. (I'm often guilty of elaborating with text, I love brackets, capitals and exclamation marks........but each to his own)

Lee!

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Guest_1055 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 03:16:51 GMT

Dear Charli,

A friend and thankful welcome to you.

I have read your two posts a few times now. Your suggestion is a good one. Like breaking everything into a 5 minute slot. The goal being just do whatever it is for 5 minutes.

For me I will look at a task or chore and it seems enormous for me to achieve. I then feel totally overwhelmed by it. So then feel unmotivated to even have a go. For example if one was too peer inside my fridge and look at it through my eyes. Well they would so chaos, disorder, soggy lettuce, crumbs on the shelves, a mug of half drunken milk, bacon that is not properly stored, sticky jars, and left over spaghetti bolognese from too many nights ago. And also I am not exactly sure what else is in there, because I cannot see it. I even feel overwhelmed just writing all that. I have opened that fridge many times, only to close it, because cleaning and organising it just seems like such an enormous and overwhelming task.

So what you are suggesting, which is my understanding is......I set the timer on my phone for 5 minutes. Knowing this is my goal, just 5 minutes. And start cleaning out the fridge. Ultimately the goal would be to have a clean, hygienic fridge. But one is just breaking the goal down into 5 achievable minutes. And one just aims for that.

I hope I have understood you correctly Charli. I am pretty sure I could manage 5 minutes.

And good on you!

Shell xx

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Charli76 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 03:18:51 GMT

I apologise greywolfe2. I didn't mean to confuse anyone.

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Guest_1055 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 03:27:33 GMT

Hi Lee,

I agree this suggestion of Charli's is a great one. I too procrastinate for whatever reason and yeah it does get me down too.

Shell xx

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Charli76 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 03:28:00 GMT

Hey Jugglin Struggin

I appreciate your response. 😊

It can be 'VERY HARD' to do somedays.

We ALL experience a 'completely different' 'struggle!!

Some days, no matter how hard I try, this doesn't happen how I want it to.. That's why, no matter how good or bad I feel, I start the day with 5 minute intervals. Coz I KNOW 5 minutes is achievable for me.

But it gives me a 'Goal!'.

Its something I believe we ALL NEED in order to get better!!

NO MATTER HOW SMALL IT MIGHT SEEM TO OTHERS!!

Its "STILL" an achievement!! xx

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Charli76 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 03:38:03 GMT

Hey Shell xx

You are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT on what I mean't!!

Setting, 5 minute intervals, breaks it down, so the task at hand isn't as overwhelming. But can also HELP you focus on that 'ONE TASK' Aswell.. Which has ALWAYS been one of my BIGGEST ISSUES!!

I would always start something, my mind would travel & id realise something else would need to be done, so I'd move to that chore & so on!! Where NOTHING would end up being finished!!

This also helped me 'focus' on 'ONE TASK AT A TIME!!'

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Guest_1055 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 03:38:54 GMT

Hi Charli

It certainly is an achievement. So three cheers to you Charli. Sometimes it is a challenge to even get out of bed.

shell

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Kazzl — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 03:38:56 GMT

Hi Charli - welcome to the forum!

That's a top idea mate. I think everyone gets overwhelmed by tasks sometimes. I certainly do. But your suggestion of breaking it down into manageable bits and doing five minutes at a time is excellent.

Like Lee I sometimes have trouble pushing the start button. But I've found that once I make a start, it's easier to keep going if I build in breaks. Using the timer on the phone is a good idea, never thought of that.

Hiya Shell - I think your fridge and my fridge have a lot in common. 😄

Hi greywolf sorry to hear you're in a depressed place mate. I hope Charli's suggestion might help. Do you get overwhelmed by tasks sometimes too or have trouble getting started?

Charli thanks for your useful and positive post. Hope we see more of you!

Cheers

Kaz

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Charli76 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 03:54:50 GMT

Thankyou Kazzl & Everyone else for the lovely welcome!!😊

My fridge is 'EXACTLY' the same Lee!! Lol😂

There are weeks where it's not been attended to.. But when I do, I use the same thing & break it down, into manageable intervals.

If I can HELP ANYONE with this horrific illness, hopefully it will make me feel better!!

IF THEY CAN COME OUT OF "THE DARKNESS" "So can I..

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Charli76 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 04:04:58 GMT

Or I hope to..

R there 'chat rooms' for this site??

Thats probably a silly question.

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Kazzl — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 04:13:21 GMT

Hiya Charli - no there are no chat rooms, but there are many threads you can join in with, as well as having your own.

We have a Social Zone board with loads of topics just for chatting, rather than individual issues of mental health. Maybe have a look there? You'll also find the BB Cafe there which is a great place just to pop in and chat to whoever's there.

Take a good look around, I'm sure you'll find something you like. It's good to have you with us.

Cheers

Kaz

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Jugglin_Strugglin — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 04:21:30 GMT

I'm pretty new too.

Never a silly question here !

Kaz is too quick for me, and knows her way round way better than me. Thanks Kaz.

Can chat on thread like this, cos of moderation there is slight delay, but usually not too long.

There are lots of 'threads' in the BB cafe that are just for socialising, without talking about specific MH issues. Anyone can join in anywhere, which is great. I am finding a lot of like-minded people here. We can all relate to THE DARKENESS and there is always someone around to lift you up when you need it.

Thankyou Everyone

Lee!

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

Guest_3072 — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 00:43:47 GMT

Hey Charli76,

Thanks for sharing the tips!!

One thing that I like to do is write out in the notes on my phone some small things I want and need to do that day, and then work it like a checklist and that really helps me to have a sense of accomplishment for the day. Sometimes, I also like to write in a kind of journal like entry in my notes on my phone in the morning, just some thoughts about how great this upcoming day is going to be and what I want to achieve and it really helps to start the day right for me.

Gabby

A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬

CMF — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 04:01:04 GMT

Hi all,

I also make notes in my phone if i have to go out and about doing things and i have a to do list for around the home. I'm very guilty of starting something and then thinking of something else that needs doing and then feeling completely overwhelmed and like i am wasting my time as there are so many things to do.

Baby Steps