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 🙂

[quirkywords]

hello padfoot .

Thanks for sharing your ideas that help and work for you.

Do you write the lyrics and the music for your songs.

It is good you have a plan to work on.

[Guest_1643]

Hi Padfoot,

I really relate to what you've written about wanting to contact blocked people because of isolation. I had to delete social media last year, and found myself wanting to activiate a profile again - just out of boredom and loneliness. The lack of social stability is really hard.
I like the name of your song, Death Day. I think it's great. The recording booth also sounds cool. Sounds like your home is becoming a creative space.

I almost forgot the purpose of this thread.... so ... 30 seconds for me today?

I called a support line and that was helpful to me today. I managed to call just before they closed. I thought they wouldn't take the call (it was 50 seconds before closing) but they did, and that was nice of them. I also enjoyed walking tonight and looking in the shop windows.

I haven't been able to read much myself, but that's okay for now. My concentration isn't great and i'm feeling quite down. Just sitting by the heater now and going to watch a movie. Take care all . You're all such caring souls on this thread.

[PhoebeWings]

Hi Speak Your Truth,

Hope you are feeling better, you said you were feeling very churned up.

Lavender oil is lovely isn’t it?

Have you tried Wild Orange? Not sure if I’m allowed to mention the brand....it’s a well know’ one beginning with D. Honestly, it’s a whiff or sheer happiness.

I rub a drop inbetween my palms, and bury my nose - inhale! Magic!

The old rotten feeling had been floating around me...today, I’ve woken up feeling more free.

Hope you do too. 🌸

[PhoebeWings]

My 30 seconds started this morning with several new messages received overnight from friends overseas.

One was so funny, I just about spat out my morning coffee.

The UK is doing it very tough in some cities. But, I wish I wasn’t so far away with no freedom to just book a flight and visit - I had a long trip arranged for this UK spring.

Hopefully next year now......hopefully.

[Gambit87]

Yesterday marked 10 years at my current place of employment!

so, my 30 seconds was buying a fancy bottle of scotch and having a quiet drink with my partner.

Ive been thinking how have I managed to stay for so long? alot of why/what ifs/maybes/how? Have I wasted 10 years?

Ive come to the conclusion - I haven't wasted the past 10 years. Sure, I would have liked to accomplish more career wise but it hasnt been a waste. Ive learnt so much and ive met so many amazing people along the way.

Theres always time! I'm only 33 and have many many years ahead of me yet.

[Padfoot02]

Hi Quirky 😄

I both do and don't write the music and lyrics for my music. Since I'm in a band with someone else who is a songwriter, she helps me with lyrics, but I do pretty much all the guitar and bass writing because she's on drums and the person on bass doesn't exactly play bass XD.

[Padfoot02]

Hi Sleepy 😄

Thanks for the compliment about the song name. I'm quite proud of it as well. Although while I was recording some of the vocals in my "amazing" recording booth I realised that I had written one of the sorta important songs on the album just with a different name. So that ended up replacing the name of a different song. I hope you're doing well and can find some sort of creative outlet as well. It was cool of that support centre to take your call. 😄

from Padfoot

[Birdy77]

Hello all you lovely people 🥰

I love reading all the beautiful moments you share here, that bring some peace to your days. Thank you for taking the time to share the beauty in your lives. It is generous and appreciated.

"Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life" (Brian Andreas)

Thank you Pepper, as always, for providing this lovely space for sharing peace.

My 30 seconds was watching my two dogs go pelting through the house, out the back door, through the back yard, round the side, thru the side gate, along the front yard, through the front door, thru the house, out the back door, thru the back yard etc etc etc x17 after being inside because of the rain. The floors are obviously a disgrace right now, but i have two content boys now snuggled together in their blankies 😍

Take massive care of yourselves everyone.

🌻birdy

Lovely Phoebe: i have been wanting to come back and say more to you about your beautiful post of weeks ago, but i am stuck for words! I have read your post many times, and each time i read it, i then read the poem again after and I'm amazed: it was so written for you!. I am so moved and appreciate the great care you took to explain the different aspects of meaning that poem had for you - cows, oak trees, the shell from the beach you walked with your son .... so many levels of meaning. I teared up when i read your post, i read it to my partner - she teared up too. Just: thank you ❤.

[Speak Your Truth]

Birdy the mental pictures of your dogs doing circuits was very funny to think about, thank you for your 30 seconds.

How can I find Phoebe’s poem please - I would like to read it. Can you post the link ?
Cala 😄

[Birdy77]

Thanks Cala 😃

It's a bit hard, can't post a link, but the posts i was referring to were: mine from 18 March, and Phoebe's from 25 March. That's the best i can do, you will need to scroll! They're on page 3 here at the moment, and i have my posts set to newest first (hope it makes sense).

🥰

🌻birdy