topic Not quite a journal in Staying well

Not quite a journal

smallwolf — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 12:58:48 GMT

One of the things I write in replies is about maintaining a journal of sorts. It is not quite a journal though because the contents. Each day I start with

-three things to look forward to

-three positives and positive qualities shown

-one pleasure, accomplishment and gratitude

The thing about this journal is that the smallest things are valid. For example, brushing teeth, showering, making breakfast, drinking coffee or hot chocolate.

Starting off can be hard. But after a while it becomes easier. I still have problems some days. On these days phrases like "the small things" can still have a positive vibe.

And this journal does not take long to write either. Over the next days, I will write my real entries here. If you want to add yours here, please do.

Something like this practiced each day eventually should rewire our brains to think more positively. Best thing is that it is cheap. All you need is pen and paper and yourself.

The fun starts tomorrow.

Not quite a journal

PamelaR — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 13:30:14 GMT

Go Wolfy

Not quite a journal

Guest_1584 — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 13:45:08 GMT

Hi sw.

Great idea , hope it helps you and others out.

l started my thread with a similar idea but tbh, l feel as though l must be mad bc l just have so much happening l literally hold back and only talk about a little bit of it but l think even that people just dunno what to say to, l think it's just too much. Even l'm embarrassed at the amount of crap. And l leave 1/2 of it out.

So l hope yours helps you and others too , should be a great idea usually.

All the best.

Not quite a journal

geoff — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 18:19:47 GMT

Hi Smallwolf, winter time, the heater comes on first, then a cup of tea while giving my puppie a smacko then I can sit down to the pc.

Good thread.

Geoff.

Not quite a journal

smallwolf — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 20:45:55 GMT

Thanks for the replies.

3 things to look forward to are - lunch with a friend, midday service, chatting with people on beyond blue.

One possible pleasure is watching the sun rise before I get out of bed.

At the end of the day will merge all into a single post as the entry I have in my book.

And getting out of bed is a positive.

Not quite a journal

smallwolf — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 07:44:38 GMT

Ordinarily I would do this before bed time, but as I wil not get home until late, will do this now...

pleasure - sipping a hot chocolate after lunch

gratitude - being able to have lunch with "O" and talk about myself and depression.

accomplishment - being able to work from college despite really average internet connection and not getting too frustrated.

Positives...

- completing some work item to a position I am happy with

- lunch in the sunshine (appreciation)

- the hot chocolate mentioned earlier

- seeing smiling faces

- new music to listen to

- the small things**

** this are things like drinking fresh water, coffee, good conversations, brushing teeth, recharging phone, youtube

If you have questions or comments, or want to add something else here, feel free to add your own contribution.

Tim

Not quite a journal

smallwolf — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 11:20:29 GMT

Why write a journal like this?

The more I dwell on the negative the worse I will feel about myself. If, however, I remind myself of all the positives each day, then not only does it reduce the number of negative thoughts but might actually allow me to feel more positive about life.

I am quite sure that there will be relapses. In fact something happened two weeks ago and for the next week found it difficult to find anything positive to write. But when I said this to my psych, I was reminded of all the small things each day. Not everyone showers each day. Not everyone brushes their teeth each day. Going for a walk. If you can see daily activities in a different light, there is a possibility that we with a different perspective, things won't be sooo crap.

But this is only one tool among many. I hope you might get something from this

Tim

Not quite a journal

PamelaR — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 11:23:42 GMT

Good idea for a thread Tim.

Here are my positives contributions for today -

Slept from about 4.00am to 9.00am, then again in the afternoon. Nice to have some sleep at last.
Made a slow cook pea, bacon bone and veggie soup (yum)
Picked fresh veggies from my own garden - wonderful feeling
Thought of an idea for a thread for BB, composed and posted it
Cleaned the bird bath for the willie wagtail for its afternoon bath
The small things - getting out of bed, showering, making a fresh herb and garden salad for breakfast on the back deck with local bird life

Feel good after thinking of all the lovely things from today.

PamelaR

Not quite a journal

smallwolf — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 21:34:44 GMT

Try again...

Pamela - Thanks for that list. Given me some ideas for future list. Some things that I do during the day, I do because I "have to" but can also be seen as positives. What was the thread that you started?

For today... the three things to look forward to are

hot shower
first coffee
coffee with friend in the afternoon

I had a late(ish) night , so the first items on the list exist to wake me up a bit and make me presentable for the last item. In recognizing the small things, a different outlook on the day is possible.

What are you looking forward to today?

Not quite a journal

PamelaR — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 21:58:47 GMT

Pleased I gave you some ideas. Thread is called Triggers under PTSD and trauma.

PamelaR

Not quite a journal

smallwolf — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 08:13:52 GMT

Wrap up for Today...

For today... the three things to look forward to are

hot shower
first coffee
coffee with friend in the afternoon

Pleasure of the day - there were 2... first was lunch with lecturers and other other persons. And then hot chocolate with friend mentioned above.

Accomplishment - able to progress work as far as a I could without overdoing it

Gratitude - being able to open and have a good long chat with the other person over coffee.

Positives of the day... (1) cheating here by saying "items listed above" (2) midday service and (3) conversations with strangers at lunch (4) making dinner (shortly) and (5) resting in front of TV and (6) reading.

I will be honest and say the day did not start all that well. A work email was able to trigger me, and in the downtime today could easily go back into that email (mind wise). However, rather than dwelling on the negative, looking at the positives in the day acts as a sort of balance. And the day is not as crap as I thought it was. And even if I don't feel like doing this, I feel compelled to find some good in the day. And I feel a little better as a result.

How was your day?

Tim

Not quite a journal

smallwolf — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 01:08:14 GMT

Today is Saturday...

Three things to look forward to

breakfast (Sat I make something special for myself)
much as I hate to say cleaning... have some time today to do this
sun shine

Not quite a journal

PamelaR — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 22:50:21 GMT

How'w the journalling Tim?

My achievements for yesterday -

Made my blueberry muffins (yum)
Copied more of our CDs to iphone (need it for our car - no CD player). This is a job in progress
Edited a few photos
Booked seats to Bangalow Music Festival excursion with 4MBS.

To look forward to today

Chilling at cafe having coffee while doing some BB stuff
Movie this afternoon?
Midsummers this evening

The little things in life keep us going.

Kind regards

PamelaR

Not quite a journal

smallwolf — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 23:20:22 GMT

Ok on paper. Tried to add to BB but reply button not working for me last night on phone. Will add something when I get home later today after seeing specialist.

Otherwise

Pleasure is walking in sunshine
Accomplishment is writing email for psych. Been putting that one off.
Gratitude is thankful the appointment was brought forward to today. Still slightly nervous.

Positives

Getting out of house
Getting stuff ready for dinner
Your reply
Music

Not quite a journal

CMF — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 20:12:18 GMT

I'm bumping this so I can look through it properly when I have more time.

cmf x

Not quite a journal

smallwolf — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 21:32:38 GMT

Today I go to my parents place so most my entries revolve around this...

So my three things to look forward to are... (1) seeing parents (2) lunch with parents and (3) coffee with a friend.

Pleasure - will be both (1) and (2)

Accomplishment - having everything ready I need to take with me for the day.

Gratitude - work for allowing me time to be able to recharge.

Positives -

(1) Small things like getting up, showering, having breakfast

(2) sun is shining outside (appreciation),

(3) bag virtually packed and ready to go (organized)

Not quite a journal

CMF — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 23:47:47 GMT

Tim,

How lovely to be able to spend the day and have lunch with yout parents. Brought back memories 🙂.

CMF x

Not quite a journal

PamelaR — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 08:53:23 GMT

Wonderful Tim to see you continue to post your achievements, gratitudes and positives.

My things to look forward to today -

having lunch with school friends
basic gardening
making spring rolls for dinner

My accomplishments, gratitude:

having great lunch with school friends

disclosing my childhood horror to my friends

the support my friends gave me.

Tim, I'll catch up on your other thread. Sorry to hear about your iron diagnosis, as well as those cretons in your class. You're doing really well considering. So proud to see you continue to write on this thread.

Cheers

PamelaR...

Not quite a journal

smallwolf — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 02:33:18 GMT

Last post for a bit. Going to AFL today. though I feel I need to write this one. A couple of emails from work had that effect on me, so being able to create this entry will give me other possibilities and positives.

Things to look forward to - AFL, pizza, and watching kids swim

Pleasure - hot breakfast on Saturday

Accomplishment - getting everything ready to go to swim meet

Gratitude - advice from psychologist and distraction tools I have

Positives - at the moment it is the small things to keep me going.

Tim

Not quite a journal

smallwolf — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 22:15:29 GMT

Ahh. The start of a new week.

Things to look forward to - (1) finish installing shelves in daughters room, (2) fixing appointment with QML, and (3) see where the story thread goes.

Pleasure - music

Accomplishment - starting new thread. (see is as a way of releasing control)

Gratitude - that I have a place I can go to work that is not my home.