30 seconds of survival during tough times: what is yours today?

[Peppermintbach]

Hi everyone,

I have a little survival idea that want to run by you all:

I’m not asking for 30 hours or even 30 minutes. I’m only asking:

If you have been going through a hard time or struggling with something (whatever that may be) what were 30 seconds of respite, reprieve or relief that you experienced today? What were you doing in those 30 seconds?

You can write as often as you like or as infrequently as you like. It also doesn’t have to be 30 seconds either. That’s just a number that I chose, because I thought it would be doable for most people. It can be more or less than 30 seconds of survival.

I would love to hear from you 🙂

I’ll start:

On my way to work, I spotted some Christmas decorations, and instantly thought “oh, that’s so pretty!”

30 seconds of relief from my troubles. 30 seconds of survival.

Background/inspiration for this thread:

I was inspired by a book that I’ve been reading. It’s based on real life events where a woman lost her husband unexpectedly, and was left both a widow & single parent overnight.

As you can imagine, she struggled with immense grief and loss, and was unsure when she would be able to see beyond it...reminders of him were everywhere, and she wasn’t sure when the pain would ever subside.

But during a work meeting, while giving a presentation (or maybe she was chairing a meeting?), in that brief period, she forgot about her loss as she was immersed in her work. Sure, of course, her grief returned (as it often does). But in that brief moment, she felt a sense of “normalcy”, if there ever was such a thing.

Okay, so maybe work won’t be your “thing” and maybe it’s not grief that you’re struggling with. Maybe it’s something else (that’s okay and valid).

What I’m getting at is recognising our capacity to survive by recalling brief moments of survival. It all adds up...

Moments when either your pain, heartbreak, loss, disappointment (whatever you’re going through) was temporarily forgotten or even subsided a little. Moments, however fleeting but nonetheless important, of survival 🙂

[Gambit87]

im feeling down and anxious today! intrusive thoughts are running wild.

but i walked to the train station today and the smell of raise and the sound of birds are soothing.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi all,

Thank you, as always, for your contributions. I admire how you’re finding small moments of relief and respite...

Lady Nova: Not sure if you’re a hugger, but if you are, here’s a hug...for comfort...

Gambit: it sounds as though there has been a lot weighing on your mind. I know intrusive thoughts can be distressing and exhausting, so I feel for you...

I’m glad you felt some comfort on your walk though. Nature can be uplifting and healing...

Kindness and care,

Pepper

[Gambit87]

Hi Pepper,

They are exhausting and I feel so drained after fighting myself.

I had my first psych appointment last friday night! Its early days but I feel I connected with my psychologist pretty much straight away and after laying it all out and hearing her thoughts I felt a little at ease.

For the longest time I have felt like I was in a little row boat on the vast dark ocean going no where, Now I feel I have a guiding star, a lighthouse and a billion stars helping me navigate.

Keeping on topic - I was feeling like I normally do on a sunday night knowing I had to go to work the next day, so I took a quick walk to the jetty I live near. I just stood there for about 10 minutes just taking it all in - the smells, the city lights the last few minutes of the sunset. It was beautiful.

I hope you're doing well!

[Lady_Nova]

today I am getting closure on a few tasks I have been back burnering since my son turned 16, he is 17 in April so ... yeah.

Today he applies for his own health care card as an adult with a disability. He is also applying for his own Medicare card. He is also choosing to give me nominee status so I can do this C.R.A.P on his behalf because he has autism and ID. I have been shielding him from all this adulting because forms and processes of this kind where he doesn't fully understand what is going on gives him extreme anxiety.

So today is the day to get all this done and then a lunch date, just the two of us and whatever his little food neophobic heart wants to eat, probably a cheese burger lol

I owe him big time for helping me get all this done

[quirkywords]

I ate a mango as I felt stressed and while it did not solve my problems but I felt. Ourished and relaxed. 30 seconds of pleasure

quirky

[Guest_4643]

Hi everyone here. I hope everyone's doing alright. I'm new to these forums, still looking through so many of the threads like this one, which can be fun. Trying to reply and trying to support people as much as I can in any way I can, when I can.

And what a great idea Peppermintbach. That's so sad about what the book is about though.

I'm finding it really hard to cope lately. I'm not sure what my 30 seconds of survival would be, or any ways to cope really. I'm doing everything I can, sigh. It's so hard.

I hope everyone's OK, thanks for creating this thread again Peppermintbach, it's a good idea and helpful and beneficial to others and makes you think and gives you inspiration by reading other users' comments. Thanks again.

Tayla (PS - I'm 20) xx

[Guest_4643]

Hi everyone. I hope everyone's alright.

I'm not sure what a 30 second of survival thing would be, let alone for me.

But I find this thread interesting and a good idea. Can someone please help and give me some suggestions?

I made a thread of my own in the "therapists and treatment" section (or whatever it's called) also asking for ideas to help in between Psychiatrist sessions please. I mentioned that I see my GP but I don't find her that helpful, and I have support from my parents but thats all, no friends and family.

Hence why I joined these forums, and I chat to BB, Lifeline etc. on their live chats often. I'm unable to get a job, join groups, go to the local triage for support, study, all of that for a few reasons, one being no one will accept me and I don't know why so I feel so hurt and discriminated against. I've tried everything I really have. I'm struggling to cope a lot. Sigh.

Please help and give me some suggestions there and here.

Thanks, I'm not forcing anyone but it would be appreciated.

Tayla.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi wonderful people,

As always, a warm thank you for sharing your moments of relief & other related thoughts & insights.

Everyone is welcome to share their 30 seconds of survival. Moments of relief and respite from difficult times.

It doesn’t have to be 30 sec, as that’s just a no. that I chose because it seems “doable.” It can be more or less than 30 sec of course.

Gambit: the Sunday walk that you went on sounds as though it made such a difference. What beautiful sights and sounds.

Sunset by the water is stunning...a lovely way to buffer a little against the start of the working week the next day.

I’m very happy for your instant connection with your psychologist. It’s very special when that happens. You sound hopeful 🙂

Lady Nova: what stood out to me is your deep love for your son. I think he is lucky to have you in his life...

I hope it was a successful day of completed forms and paperwork, and that your lunch date with him was enjoyable.

Quirky: mangoes are delicious & in season! I’m so glad for a brief moment in time, you found some pleasure. It’s those tiny moments sometimes...

Tayla: a friendly welcome to the forums. I feel you’re settling in nicely here by the sound of things. Good on you for exploring what the forums have to offer, as well as reaching out to support others.

I feel sad to hear how lonely you’re feeling. I hear your struggle...the loneliness, feelings of rejection, sadness and perhaps feeling lost too.

To me, 30 seconds of survival, give or take, is about finding very tiny moments of relief when we are really struggling. In this instance, I feel it’s not about resolving an issue or even finding long-term contentment, but it’s about finding those minuscule moments where we hurt a tiny bit less due to a distraction, activity, etc.

So I wonder, is there anything in particular that you enjoy or something, distracts you or makes you feel calm?

It could be an activity, such as reading, writing, drawing, gardening, etc. It could be a physical place e.g. by the water, parks, etc. It could be a distraction e.g. noticing something and temporarily forgetting your troubles.

I hope this helps a little 🙂

Me: I was having a rough day, & stumbled upon 6 dogs, with different human families, playing with each other. They became instant friends.

Thawed my heart in a way that most humans don’t. Something magical about dogs. Maybe I need to change careers and become a veterinarian (laughs).

Kind thoughts to all...

Pepper

[Guest_4643]

Hi Pepper, thanks for letting me know and replying to everyone.

I suppose my 30 seconds of survival, one of them anyway, is going for a walk every day. I live near a lake kind of thing and I love walking around the walking tracks and looking at the scenery and bird life. It's relaxing to me and I love all animals.

Tayla xx

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Yesterday I watched two people be really brave in different ways, and I just had this 'aha' moment, where I realised that other people are making that choice too, it's not always natural, they're stepping up because they want something and so they need to. I'm feeling really grateful I noticed it.