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]

Not so good today.

Just struggling with heavy sadness.

Been keeping afloat and a little success I had yesterday was a buzz.

This will pass. Gutting though.

Am lighting one of my gorgeous candles that I’ve been saving - Lime, Basil and Mandarin.

The scent is comforting.

Feeling that lonely anguish and grief that is familiar to so many.

Be good when this passes, as I know it will 🌸

[Guest_2496]

Thanks Phoebe and Pepper, for your messages, and hi everyone else.

Not a great day here either...

Having a cup of tea in bed 😉

30 seconds was seeing some of my family on their walk this morning, from my balcony.

[Padfoot02]

Hi everyone.

How're you all doing? I hope you're staying safe and healthy. At least healthier than me. All-day my body has been killing me, which means I might be getting sick. My body has a weird way of telling me I'm sick, it makes my skin both burn and freeze at the same time. Like, I've been in bed all day which has kept me warm, but the literal contact between my body and the blanket just freezes. So woopty doo.

Umm, so yeah. My escape today has mainly just been texting Rhiannon all day while watching Minecraft videos. I think I'm gonna chuck Minecraft into my switch later to play it.

I've been sorta working on lyrics for songs for a while now which is great, but at the same time is a pain because I need to be writing guitar for it at the same time which, yeah is weird to try and do.

Anyway, I hope you're all doing alright and staying safe. I can't wait to read any more messages that come through here.

from Padfoot

[Gambit87]

Hi Everyone,

Today is my second day of working from home.

I'm not a huge fan, because work is one of my triggers I like to keep them separate. As I am working from home it feels like its invading my personal space.

I have a spare room setup and once I finish work for the day I leave the room and close the door and dont enter it again until the next day.

so my 30 seconds has been going for a long walk after work along the river to reset myself. Using mindfulness along way to get my mind out of work things.

I think i'll get better at it, just have to put solid rules/strategies in place.

[Guest_1643]

HI Gambit

Sounds really organised, proactive and intelligent, Great system! Hope you enjoy those river-walks...

[Peppermintbach]

Hi wonderful people,

It’s good to see all of you here. Thanks so much for writing in or reading along 🙂

Phoebe: I smiled when I read about how you have saved your husband’s special collection t-shirt. You sounded so pleased, & I bet he was too 🙂

I feel your sadness, & perhaps some listlessness too. Yes, there’s a lot of grief at the moment...it’s a strange & unprecedented time...

I’m glad your lime/mandarin/basil candle was comforting. I had one that was the same combination of scents. It’s very fresh 🙂

Gambit: well done on committing to your psych session. It sounds like you needed the release, & that it really helped you. I’m so glad you’re looking after your mental health 🙂

That mindful walk around the river sounds so peaceful. I hope it helped relax your mind..

Tay: that’s fantastic! I have an app where I can customise by layering different sounds. I imagine what you’re talking about is a similar concept...

Annie: you’re most welcome. But I feel sad for how much you’re struggling. I think a lot of people are feeling that way right now...

Seeing your family from your balcony must have been nice though. The sight of loved ones can be so comforting....

Padfoot: Thank you very much for the well wishes 🙂

You don’t sound as though you’re feeling very well though. I hope you’re resting a bit...

I’m glad texting Rhiannon & Minecraft have been keeping you preoccupied, & gave you some relief from feeling unwell.

Good luck with the lyrics! That is very exciting 🙂

Sleepy: it’s good to see you here. I hope you’re doing okay...

Kindness & care to all,

Pepper

[Gambit87]

Hi everyone!

Yeah the river walks are amazing. To bad everyone else thinks so too haha. Theres so many people along the walk path i worry about social distancing! but I suppose theres not alot that can be done.

My 30 seconds yesterday was getting takeout! felt like such a treat to go for a drive haha. its amazing to see a normally busy street quiet!

[Peppermintbach]

Hi everyone,

Thank you, as always, for sharing your moments of relief. It really is appreciated 🙂

Gambit: thank you so much for continuing to generously sharing your moments of relief & respite 🙂

I know walks by the river are lovely & so peaceful. It must be gorgeous there, but it does sound a little overcrowded...so I‘m wondering if you have thought about looking into quieter, alternative routes to take.

There could be some other lovely trails that aren’t so busy...little hidden gems on maps...

One of my friends has had a similar issue as you. So this long weekend, he plans to try an alternative, hopefully quieter, walking trail for exercise. I wonder if that is something you might like to look into as well...

Me: It might be a bit of an odd one, but it makes sense to me...

Today I feel sad, & that’s okay. What I’m feeling is okay. Now is a strange & unprecedented time, so I think it’s okay if I feel emotionally all over the place.

I feel unpredictable times can sometimes mean less predictable emotions...& that’s okay...that is okay.

I can flow with the current...

I’m not suggesting that I should wallow permanently in my feelings, but I’m just letting it greet me...letting it exist...

So my moment of relief today is simple acceptance of how I feel...just letting feelings come & go.

Flowing with the current...

Thank you for reading and may you all stay safe and look after yourselves 🙂

Kindness and care,

Pepper

[PhoebeWings]

Had a cup of tea in bed this morning, after sleeping last night with freshly washed and sun-dried cotton sheets off the line. Magic 🙂

Now, a newly made bed is luxury isn't it?

Talked in length to a couple of overseas friends via text - Dear Lord....folk are experiencing such stress.

No-one is alone in this.

Did nothing today. A bit of drawing and experimental painting (which was rubbish) Ah well.

Chatted to the chap who came to assess our trees that need felling - negotiated the price.

I said to him that my husband will want to give him a big Blokie kiss for his great service - he said ...let’s wait six months or at least until there’s a vaccine. 😂

Funny how some days, the heavy black mental fog lifts? And seems to float away for some hours, even days and months... yes months to maybe...a year or more.

Then..Bammmm.

It’s back with a vengeance.

Just keeping in mind... it’ll pass, it’ll lighten. Keeping bright the greater hope when we finally understand, each trial, each joy.

30 seconds....for me. Washed sheets...yes, seriously.

❤️

[Padfoot02]

Hi everyone.

So I has some good news, I slept off my sickness pretty much entirely. My nose is still kinda stuffy and my eyes still hurt to move (as in looking around without moving my head) which isn't great but it's better than having a certain virus. My 30 seconds today was my mum dropping off chocolate for me and my dad (dads is a present from me) for easter and playing the switch with my uncle. Of course, I was texting Rhiannon all day which is basically part of my day to day. I also looked through all the photos on my school's Facebook (I didn't mean to look through all of them) to see some old photos of me and my classmates.

Isolation is a lot weirder than I thought it'd be. It's actually kinda tricky to not be bored all day, even with school work. It's actually sorta hard because I'm more social than I thought, even though I enjoy time alone. It's more like time alone with people I like that gets me through each day, which isn't exactly happening. Like, it' so bad that I've considered unblocking my first ex (who ended the fact we talk on bad terms) and trying to talk to her again and try and fix anything I did.

How are all of you awesome people finding it? I know this thread is kinda meant for it but I thought it'd be nice to actually have someone ask instead of feeling like you have to bring the topic up.

Anyway, I'm gonna have an earlyish night because I've got an online meeting with my whole year group tomorrow morning which I'm kinda looking forward to.

So as always, I hope you all stay safe, healthy and sane. Feel free to bring up any of your issues and I'd be more than happy to try and help.

from Padfoot.