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 🙂

[PhoebeWings]

“2 - I got home from poker and I was talking to my girlfriend about how I feel and she said 'its going to be ok, you'll get through this I love you no matter what' “

That is pure gold ❤️

[Gambit87]

I feel so so lucky!

My 30 moment today was waiting in line for a coffee at my favourite coffee shop and I hadn't noticed the the barista saw me (I was to busy looking at the cakes haha) and he come over to me and gave me a coffee and said 'its on me today! i'll see you tomorrow'

Not going to lie - I teared up.

[PhoebeWings]

Hi Gambit,

That little gesture from the Barrista was very special - I’ve often thought how workers in hospitality, like cafes, restaurants and bars etc have so much opportunity to make a persons day.

🌸

[PhoebeWings]

This....

Have you ever recieved a kind social interaction or a well meant hug...but...have been keenly aware that the big hole of depressive misery inside feels even more empty? As if it’s beyond filling with anything nourishing and comforting?

Even in a state of numbness, we can feel even more disassociated from our lives after trying to have connections with others....you know?

So, another good thing happened this past week..I received a couple of rich hugs and I also went for drinks with some new neighbours.

And, I felt neither numb or a roll of achey grief after these little events.

I just felt nice.

No after shocks of lonely despair.

I’m so grateful guys - it’s the slowing down, the self sitting with ‘me’ rather than get tossed around with harmful emotions and thoughts.

Am feeling that somehow I’m moving through into a new understanding of how to ‘be’. Oh I’ve read all about it over the years - but finally light bulb moments.

God, I hope the path forward has the peace that I’m starting to realise is within reach, if I slow down and take notice of beauty, senses and moments - properly. 🌸

[Gambit87]

Couldn't agree with you more phoebe, I was speechless. I felt warm and fuzzy inside.

That's a great sentiment!

[Guest_4643]

Hi all.

I took a break from the forums, so my 30 seconds of survival today would be coming back here, catching up on the threads and seeing a few nice messages written for me that I've read, it's nice to read them after coming back and since i'm dealing with a lot. So thank you all, and for everyone's 30 seconds of survival too, I enjoy this thread and getting ideas from it.

Take care all, and thanks again for the kind words. It means a lot to me and I appreciate them all.

Tayla xx

[Guest_4643]

Hey Padfoot02, welcome to the forums. Congrats on the Cadet stuff.

I'm 20, 21 this year. Like you, music really helps me too. I'm glad you have achievements and music that helps.

Take care, hope to see you around the forums.

Tayla x

[Padfoot02]

Hi Tayla,

I'm glad you came back to the forum after your break, it's good to go back to things that helped at some point and check in on people to see what's happening. You said that music helps you too, what kind of music are you into and what about it do you think helps? I listen to a lot of My Chemical Romance, Green Day and Eminem because they all have really good songs that express almost the exact things going through my mind.

Hope to see you around the forums some more, along with everyone else who reads this.

[Guest_4643]

Hey Padfoot02. Thanks for replying.

I like rock and metal music. The Cure are a band I always listen to when I'm depressed, their depressing stuff. I like their happy songs too but I think they're really known for the depressing stuff mostly.

[Gambit87]

My 30 seconds for today was looking at the new museum getting built! I'm so keen for it to open at the end of the year!