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]

Hi Padfoot. Sorry to hear about the cadets being cancelled, cute about the Dog though.

Take care.

Tayla

[Padfoot02]

Hi Tayla.

Sorry to hear about the panic attack, I'll always be here for you if you need someone to talk to.

from Padfoot 😄

[Guest_4643]

Hey Padfoot, thanks. I'll be okay.

I'm always here for you too, thank you, that means a lot.

Tayla

[Guest_4643]

Seeing my Psychiatrist today who freed his schedule just to see me as it was important. He always makes me feel at ease and is so kind and caring. He even said I'm not a burden and I don't annoy him since that's how I've been feeling, yay.

Saw the GP today too.

Going on new meds but have to ease myself into it and lower the dosage of my current ones.

Tayla

[Gambit87]

Hi friends,

My 30 seconds was my taekwondo yesterday! so good to just forget about the coronavirus and train. Unfortunately its looking as if it could shut down for a few weeks.

Another was my partner and I driving around to a few different shops trying to find TP and other supplies. We were just giggling and making jokes about it all! it bought me a sense of peace.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi lovely people,

Thank you so much for supporting each other & sharing your moments of relief and respite (& even some humour).

I love the welcoming atmosphere that you have all helped to create here. I appreciate all of you.

Everyone is welcome to share their 30 sec of survival, give or take 😉

Gambit: the “zen” room sounds so relaxing. I hope you felt very rejuvenated afterwards 🙂

I’m so glad you enjoyed taekwondo. I remember you have a wonderful support network there too.

Ah yes, the great TP crisis of 2020 is still happening (laughs). I’m glad you & your partner managed to lighten the mood & share some chuckles.

Padfoot: an enormous congratulations on finishing the lyrics of one of your songs. What an incredible achievement & feeling!

I love how you’re drawing the album art too. You’re completely owning the whole process from start to finish. A true artist...

Spending time with Rhiannon must have been lovely too 🙂 It must have been really nice to see your friend again.

Thank you for the well wishes re: COVID-19, & it the cadet cancellation must have been disappointing. But I’m happy you met the little dog that helped brighten your day though. Dogs have a special power 😉

You’re very caring to ask how I’m
going. I’m very moved, & appreciate that you took the time to write to me & ask 🙂

It hasn’t been the best of times for me, & on top of that, I’m trying to adhere to the recent social distancing advice to “flatten the curve” (Coronavirus). I understand it’s necessary, but it’s messing with my head a bit.

Quirky: well done on holding out. I agree that it was very brave of you to stay, & I’m so happy that you received the help that you needed.

Tayla: wow, a 1000 piece puzzle? Well done! The most I’ve done was maybe about 50 pieces, so I really applaud you.

I think that was very nice of your psychiatrist & must have made you feel very cared for & valued. Good professional help can make such a difference. All the best with the new meds.

You’re welcome & I completely agree with you about walks clearing our heads.

I feel sad about your panic attack though, but I’m glad you found some support here on the forums. I hope you’re doing a bit better today...

Me: there hasn’t been much relief lately, but I take comfort in how social distancing will help slow the spread & protect the most vulnerable.

Social distancing isn’t to help people like me, but it’s about reducing risks to higher risk groups. So that matters

Kindness & care,

Pepper

[Padfoot02]

Hi Pepper,

I'm glad me writing a message for you made you happy. I get what you mean by the virus messing with your head, but maybe the social distancing would be the perfect time to experiment with your creativity and see what calls to you the most. Cadets being cancelled does suck, but (in a bittersweet way) I talked to one of the full corporals and he said that he's was going to quit this week so I'd be getting the rank I should've gotten months ago.

At the moment I'm downloading a heap of music for my mate because he needs it for his 18th birthday party (which I'm going to) So he paid me to dump it all on his ipod for him XD.

Anyway, I hope you all stay safe. And I hope you all had/have a great day.

from Padfoot

[Guest_4643]

Hi Pepper, Padfoot and others.

Pepper, thanks for the kind words. yes it was nice of my Psychiatrist, I feel like he does care and was concerned about me and it meant a lot that he freed up his schedule to see me aswell as my appointment with him on the 30th of this month, so it made me feel a bit better and eased my mind and anxiety. As for the meds, I have to wait for my Psychiatrist to do the report to her so she can prescribe me meds or she'll fax it to my local chemist so I picked up the low dosage I'm on for a week again to ease myself off it and told them to expect it and the name. Hopefully I get that soon, my Psychiatrist usually does the reports 2-3 days after I see him or just 1 day so hopefully that will be done soon and I can get the prescription even if I just wait to get it filled. Thanks for the kind words.

Padfoot - sounds awesome, happy birthday to your friend!

Take care all.

Tayla

[PhoebeWings]

Hallo lovely people,

My goodness, in the past week the world has turned a few times and we’re now living a new day to day reality.

Its really lovely to see the kind and affectionate support each one is giving here, it’s a gift.

Pepper, you’ve absolutely been a central pillar of response and kindness - and it was heart warming to hear Padfoot reach out and ask how you are, how you are faring.

There will be some difficult days for many in the community, with social distancing and self isolation being part of our lives for awhile.

Many here at BB are no strangers to aloneness and solitude.

My 30 seconds was this, it’s a bit weird but..

Living with and managing deep depression, having sometimes the experience of the feeling of alienation, of not being fully functional in the fast modern world and all that goes with it gives us insight I think.

All of us here have had long periods of reflection, of reaching out to find real connection to life - we have the ‘tools’ - you know?

It seems to me, we may all have opportunities in the wider community to comfort others, to remind them of the important things.

The simple gifts that we have all come to treasure - nature, beauty and so much more.

There will be many folk in shock as their busy, socially active lives change... and I’m not talking about the community of folk who gravitate to Beyond Blue.

I’m grateful for the insights that my mental health has revealed to me and all you lovely folk, who have learnt how to fully treasure ‘30 seconds’ of peace, joy and glow -

We have an opportunity to gently share these moments not just here, but with others...as they grapple with uncertainty and stress and lives that seem to be in a spin.

Spread the thirty seconds 🌸🙂

Sorry if that was all a bit wordy and long - I got carried away 😉

[Birdy77]

Hello Every Lovely Person here ❤

Yes, let's spread the 30 seconds , the love, the peace, whatever we can spare from to boost or nurture each other during this time.

Phoebe, I was listening to Tara Brach again last night, and she quoted a poem by Norah Pollard, called She Dreamed of Cows. I immediately thought of you, little White Bull and this beautiful thread hosted by gorgeous Pepper.

I wanted to share it so you can look it up if you like, but here is an excerpt.

It's a poem that starts with darkness (psycholigical darkness, trigger warning maybe?) but is about shifting perspectives (at least for me) towards hope, light, possibility and warmth.

An excerpt reads:

"She dreamed of a green pasture and a green oak tree.
She dreamed of cows. She dreamed she stood
under the tree and the brown and white cows
came slowly up from the pond and stood near her.
Some butted her gently and they licked her bare arms
with their great coarse drooling tongues. Their eyes, wet as
shining water, regarded her. They came closer and began to
press their warm flanks against her, and as they pressed
an almost unendurable joy came over her and
lifted her like a warm wind and she could fly.
She flew over the tree and she flew over the field and
she flew with the cows.

When the woman woke, she rose and went to the mirror.
She looked a long time at her living self.
Then she went down to the kitchen which the sun had made all
yellow, and she made tea. She drank it at the table, slowly,
all the while touching her arms where the cows had licked."

❤🌟