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 🙂

[Peppermintbach]

Hello wonderful people,

A warm and grateful thank you for you your contributions. It moves me when you share little pieces of your heart with me 🙂

Thank you for reading & please feel free to share your moments of relief and respite. Your 30 seconds of relief and respite (more or less than 30 sec is okay)...

Tayla: thank you, your hug is warmly accepted & here is one from me to you...

It made me smile that you like this thread. Thank you so much, I was hoping it would resonate with people & help them find small moments of relief.

That walk sounds so nourishing & relaxing. Perfect weather too! I agree that music is also very healing & comforting to many.

Oh yes, reading quotes & mental health related articles & books can make quite a difference. As you wisely said, it helps us to feel less alone.

I’m really glad you’re finding the forums helpful. You seem as though you’re settling in nicely here 🙂

Gambit: that commute sounds absolutely delightful! Sometimes I think it’s lovely to be able to take the scenic route. We can truly enjoy & appreciate our surroundings more that way...

What a wonderful day you had with your parents. I think quality time with loved ones, whether that’s parents/friends/partners/siblings/extended & other family members/dogs/etc is worth its weight in gold.

I’m so glad you shared that day with them 🙂

Hanna: how lovely to see you here. I love how geographical distance doesn’t stop you from maintaining your friendships...

It must be hard being so far from your friend though. I feel sad that her family is unkind to her, but I’m grateful that she has you.

I think it was a very beautiful, loving & caring gesture that you reached out to her & told her how much she means to you. I bet it made her day.

Annie: How special to share lunch with your daughter in the park. I hope the weather was good, but perhaps more importantly, I think making memories with loved ones is priceless.

Me: I’m not even sure if this really counts, but I suppose my moment of relief (if it can even be called that) has been a gradual shift in my perspective and shift in methods of coping..

I know this probably sounds very odd and trippy...

But by gradually allowing moments when I accepted/sat with some painful emotions, just letting the ebb & flow of feelings wash over me, I experienced genuine peace for the very first time in my life.

I am grateful for that moment of peace.

It was the result of continued & sustained practice of sitting with my feelings 🙂

[Gambit87]

Gambit: that commute sounds absolutely delightful! Sometimes I think it’s lovely to be able to take the scenic route. We can truly enjoy & appreciate our surroundings more that way...

What a wonderful day you had with your parents. I think quality time with loved ones, whether that’s parents/friends/partners/siblings/extended & other family members/dogs/etc is worth its weight in gold.

I’m so glad you shared that day with them 🙂

Me: I’m not even sure if this really counts, but I suppose my moment of relief (if it can even be called that) has been a gradual shift in my perspective and shift in methods of coping..

I know this probably sounds very odd and trippy...

But by gradually allowing moments when I accepted/sat with some painful emotions, just letting the ebb & flow of feelings wash over me, I experienced genuine peace for the very first time in my life.

I am grateful for that moment of peace.

It was the result of continued & sustained practice of sitting with my feelings 🙂

I could not agree with you more pepper! I'm the sort of person that will always take the road less travelled and spending time with family is worth its weight in gold.

Im so happy you are finding moments of genuine peace!

My 30 seconds (or more) for so far today is I found a cool looking gecko in my house! I captured it admired it for a few moments and put it back in the garden! nature is amazing.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Gambit (& a wave to all),

I smiled reading your latest post.

Thank you very much for your encouraging words. I appreciate that a lot 🙂

I love how you try to take the road less travelled. I bet you make some interesting discoveries and observations when you take those roads. Things that you might otherwise miss..

Yes, time with loved ones is indeed priceless. Make the most of it while and when we can. I love how you seem to really value your time with loved ones, whether that’s your partner or your parents 🙂

What a special surprise visitor! It was a memorable moment with the gecko. I wonder if s/he lives in your garden...

Kindness and care,

Pepper

[Guest_4643]

All I did today was go for a long walk with my Dog, like I always do. I look around at the walking tracks & birds, it makes me feel a little better although when I see cars & people I just turn away & pretend I'm invisible, because of my social anxiety. Stupid & pointless I know.

I also purchased a book my Psychiatrist told me to get - Beating The Blues.

Tayla

[Guest_1643]

i like this idea.... today i ate a fruit salad and felt human at that time....used to be one of my favourite things to eat.

[Guest_4643]

Not sure if this would count as 30 seconds of survival, but on my walk earlier tonight, I saw this lady who is staying at the apartments across from where I live (it's what's called a Country Club, so a holiday place, it's quite nice. That's where I walk around the lake daily).

She was in about her 40s or 50s but she walked past me as I was walking my dog & she began talking to my Dog & I, she was lovely. She was saying she was from Adelaide & we were talking about the scenery & what it's like here, she was on a walking frame thing, I felt sorry for her. Kind of puts into perspective how lucky some people are compared to others. But she was still smiling & positive, that inspired me a little. It made me smile talking to her, although it was a bit warm outside haha.

My Dog just sat down & waited, good boy hehe. So yeah I guess that made me a little happy, I was talking to her for a bit. Nice lady.

Tayla

[Peppermintbach]

Hi lovely people,

As always, an appreciative and grateful thank you for sharing special moments of relief and respite in your life.

Moments when you experienced a break, no matter how short or long, from whatever struggles you‘re facing...

Tayla: I love how you go on your daily walks around the lake 🙂

I think some fresh air, time with your dog companion, stretching you legs and getting to experience nature is its own kind of gift. Thank you so much for sharing that experience with us.

That lovely lady sounds as though she was a very peaceful soul. It must have been such a beautiful moment.

She sounds uplifting and grateful, and I’m so glad that she helped you feel inspired. What a special lady you met. I hope she enjoys the rest of her holiday, and who knows, maybe you’ll bump into her again.

Sleepy21: I think sometimes food can be very powerful. A relatively simple daily pleasure can elicit so many emotions...I’m so glad you had that moment 🙂

Kindness and care to all,

Pepper

[Gambit87]

I had a pretty good day yesterday,

My partner has been suffering terribly in the last few days so we got a sneaky pizza to share for dinner. My 30 seconds came from the joy I saw in her face when she was eating the pizza and talking to me about things.

[Guest_4643]

Thanks for your kind words Pepper, I appreciate them.

Today my 30 seconds of survival was:

• Buying some CDs from a band that I've always liked, just finally got around to purchasing the CDs haha.
• Purchasing some new Headphones (the ones I currently have lasted me about 2 years but still). I love my Headphones.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi lovely people,

As always, an appreciative thank you for reading along &/or contributing. It means a lot that you’re sharing some of your experiences of relief.

Everyone is welcome to share their moments of relief & respite, & more or less than 30 seconds is completely okay .

Thank you very much...

Gambit: thank you so much for sharing & for your continued support of this thread. I really value that 🙂

It brightened my day to learn that you had a good day. It warms my heart that you clearly care so deeply for your partner’s happiness & wellbeing 🙂

It seems to me that her moments of happiness sometimes becomes your own happiness too. I think it’s beautiful that she was telling you things.

Communication & connection 🙂

Tayla: thank you to you too for also generously sharing some of your moments of relief with us. I appreciate your ongoing support as well 🙂

I smiled to read that you bought some CDs of a band that you like. I know music can help so many people find healing, joy, understanding & expression.

Hurray for your new headphones! I suppose it was time for an upgrade. Good purchase.

Kindness and care to everyone....

Pepper