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 🙂

[Guest_4643]

Thanks Pepper.

And thank you for this thread, I think it's special, inspiring and positive, like a few threads on here. It's nice to share your own 30 seconds of survival (love that name by the way) and it makes you think, and draw inspiration from other people.

Thanks again. Love and hugs to you and everyone here.

Tayla x

[Peppermintbach]

Hi wonderful people,

As always, thank you for reading along &/or contributing to this thread. You’re all valued here 🙂

Tayla: thank you so very much for your kind & uplifting words. It brought a smile to your face 🙂

I’m very happy that this thread has resonated with you, and that it’s helping you reflect and draw inspiration from others.

Thank you and hugs to you.

Me: yesterday, I didn’t really have a moment of relief (or at least not in the expected/usual sense). I think that’s okay, some days, moments of relief can be hard to come by and it’s about the grittier aspects of survival.

I tried, as much as I could, to take each moment by moment.

As this thread title is 30 seconds of survival: what is yours today?, I had a day of basic, raw survival yesterday.

So my (more than) 30 seconds of survival was simply getting through the day...

I got through yesterday...and I think that counts for something.

I made it. I got through the day. I feel proud that I got through it.

Thank you for letting me share and for reading along 🙂

kindness and care,

Pepper

[Gambit87]

Thank you for your kind words pepper.

We're going to have our bad days, but that's okay! Good on you for getting through the day! that's always an achievement

My 30 seconds of survival was going to a photography course and listening to the speaker say 'Its ok to use the A (automode) on your camera. Sometimes I obsess about the settings and end up spending more time fiddling around then taking photos.

take care 🙂

[Guest_4643]

Thanks Pepper.

And to Gambit aswell, they both sound like nice 30 seconds of survival.

Tayla

[Guest_1643]

Thank you Peppermint for sharing your experiences and how you didn't have a moment of relief. I appreciate how you acknowledged that and also acknwoldged yourself positively for getting through the day. You sound like you are doing great, and offer so much warmth and encouragement to others here.. I've been struggling also to find relief, maybe I have not been doing enoug self care. Although it's not one moment, Lately I have been getting take away chais, made cheaply by this lovely man who works out of a large community centre, right near the injecting rooms here. I do love that he makes beautiful fresh food and coffees for people who are strugging, at a reduced price. The chai is very soothing and makes me feel centred.

[Guest_4643]

Hey Sleepy21.

you're very kind yourself, just like others are.

I'm sorry that you've been struggling, I have aswell. But I think that's an achievement in itself form you - the fact that you're helping someone in need and supporting them helping others, I think that's beautiful of both you and that man to do.

Love and hugs and best wishes, i hope you're alright and things improve for you. Always here if you need me.

Tayla

[Peppermintbach]

Hi lovely people,

An enormous & grateful thank you for all the support & encouragement. Thank you for both sharing your own stories of relief & survival, as well as your words of comfort to me 🙂

Gambit: thank you so much for being so understanding & caring towards me. I really appreciate it. Yes, you’re right....we all have days where we struggle...

Photography sounds like an excellent creative release for you. I bet you must take some striking photos!

I loved how the speaker’s advice was a reminder that sometimes a desire for perfection can compete with our ability to be full immersed in an activity. May you take many stunning photos this year 🙂

Tayla: thank you for your beautiful words of encouragement to all of us. It was caring & heartfelt, so I’m appreciative of your kindness.

Thank you for validating my moment of survival the other day. That means a lot...

Sleepy21: I’m very moved...thank you for your encouragement & support. I’m glad my moment of survival resonated with you, but I feel saddened by how much you’re struggling...

Yes, I absolutely agree that there are times when moments of relief are hard to come by. I think during those moments, simply getting through (quite literally surviving) those moments is an achievement itself...& therefore worth acknowledging...

That said, I think it also means when relief finally arrives, we feel that much more grateful for it, because we know it’s something to not take for granted..

Those chais sound soothing and delicious. It sounds as though sipping your chai really comforts you, & perhaps grounds you in the moment. The here and now. That’s beautiful...

The man at the community centre must help so many people. Making & serving food can be an act of love, especially when it is given to people who may otherwise go without...

Thank you for gracing us with your presence & your experiences...

Thank you all so very much...

Kindness and care,

Pepper

[Guest_4643]

Hey Pepper, thanks for your kind words.

I see my Psychiatrist tomorrow, I guess that will be my 30 seconds of survival (well 30 mins really) for tomorrow. For now, I don't have one at the moment.

Your kind words mean a lot to me, so thank you.

Love and hugs,

Tayla

[Gambit87]

exactly right! - I feel more comfortable with my camera now. Fingers crossed I get some good shots haha.

My 30 seconds was saying 'yes' to go on a particular walk. I can be very indecisive and when someone asks me something I tend to overthink every possibility. So after speaking with my psychologist, I just said yep - lets do it.

It turned out to be a great afternoon.

[Guest_1643]

Hi Pepper, Thank you for your response, you really have a lot of empathy and understanding.