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 🙂

[Birdy77]

Hello every lovely person here 😊

Gambit, i hope you are feeling a little bit better after your session yesterday, sorry you've been struggling you're never alone here, remember that.

Quirky, i think you did great, just sweeping up the bits of the bowl and moving on, that's really hard to do.

My 30 seconds the other evening was, i was sitting on the front porch with a wine, after a pretty stressful day, and it was so quiet that i could hear the waves crashing to shore in the distance.

Not long after that, the guy who lives a few doors up started practicing / jamming with his guitar, and then started singing. It was so good! He has like a coastal-chill / Angus Stone type vibe going on, and it brought such an element of cruise to my night, it was awesome.

Maybe it was you Padfoot! By the way i love your pic, did you paint/draw that?

Funnily enough, that afternoon i had discovered a toy accordion buried in the depths of rubbish in our garage. I had dragged it out and sat on the back deck with it, and I'm sure i brought pure bliss to my neighbours as i serenaded them with unpracticed versions of Mary Had A Little Lamb, and Twinkle Twinkle.

We give, and we receive 😃

😊

🌻birdy

[ecomama]

30 seconds...

a flock of rosellas came to my balcony squawking, the pretty colours of their wings took me by surprise even though I see them a lot.

I have enjoyed watching comedy shows on Netflix and ABC TV a lot this week, it's really helped.

The psych at my work was extremely happy and excited for me starting with a new Specialist Trauma Psych, then she reminded me that she works in the same clinic part time. I said "omg is that a 'conflict of interest'?" and we both laughed because I put so many things in legal terms nowadays. It was some light relief for a difficult conversation.

[Padfoot02]

Hi everyone.

I hope you're all going well.
"Not long after that, the guy who lives a few doors up started practicing / jamming with his guitar, and then started singing. It was so good! He has like a coastal-chill / Angus Stone type vibe going on, and it brought such an element of cruise to my night, it was awesome.

Maybe it was you Padfoot! By the way i love your pic, did you paint/draw that?"

It definitely wasn't me Birdy XD

My music sounds more like east-bay California punk rock meets My Chemical Romance. And yeah I drew my picture on my laptop. It's the Killjoy character I told you guys about a few posts ago. His name is Sky Rat XD.

I've been doing a fair bit of digital work lately for my major art project at school and just for my own enjoyment. Drawing is one of my creative outlets, granted I'm not very good at it

Death Day releases in 15 days which is awesome:D

My 30 seconds today is the fact that I got Maccas for breakfast and wedges from the school canteen. My friend bribed me out of bed this morning so she wasn't alone at school so yeah. I didn't get to take advantage of any of the days off the school was giving me so great

Other than that yeah not a lot is happening in life. I'm just planing out band stuff mostly

I hope you all stay warm and safe.

from Padfoot

[PhoebeWings]

Hi Padfoot,

All the best with your return to school.

Keep us all up to date with what’s happening re your music.

Take care,

🙂

[PhoebeWings]

I love the often sudden appearance of colourful birds across our skies.

We have a flock of white cockatoos which take flight over the valley at specific times during the day.

It’s always a rich thirty seconds of pleasure... we just have to physically and spiritually take it all in...and give our tired ‘in our head’ selves a rest 💕

I’ve had a few emotionally pain free days -and I’ve been soaking up the many ‘30 seconds’ that appear through the waking hours.

Right now, it’s a warm cosy bed, a thick, coarse wool blanket and my wee cat. Happy husband dozing on sofa after I fed him chicken in red wine casserole. And rain pouring on the corrugated iron roof.

Keep safe everyone 🌸

[Gambit87]

After my psych session, listening to a video post and talking to my friends and girlfriend - I realised what was really bothering me. I was putting pressure on myself to work extra hard while I was working from home. I felt that it should be easier to get work done so I should be locking myself in my spare room to pump out as much as possible. I was caring about the work and what would work think rather then my own mental well being.

Well, thats now changed! I made a declaration to myself that I'm going to be putting myself first from now on.

My 30 seconds recently has been doing short workouts via the nike app.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi lovely people,

Thank you, as always, for sharing these tender moments of relief, insight & peace 🙂

Everyone is welcome to share their 30 seconds, more or less, of relief, respite or insight here.

Padfoot: I think it’s beautiful how you’re embracing music. To be part of the art creation process is special.

As for hiding pain with comedy, I imagine that’s a lot of people in this world. They say it’s what draws comedians to stand-up comedy...

I like your drawing idea for your friend’s birthday. I think it’s more meaningful than something that can be bought. Nice one!

Phoebe: I’m glad life has been kinder to you recently. It sounds like you’ve had some cherished moments of peace. True blessings...

I think you have a gift for appreciating the daily wonders in life. Also, I feel your current environment & home really suits you. You sound content there...

I think white cockatoos have such character. They seem to have so much attitude, I love it 😉

Quirky: what a feat to tame your inner critic. I think that was a proud moment & worthy of celebration.

Thank you so much for sharing with us.

Gambit: I think it was quite fitting that you found beauty in the sunset...the sun theme, just like your avatar.

I hope your psychologist visit went well. I imagine you’ve had a lot to unload recently

What a revelation you’ve had? Yes, I know WFH has really been quite a challenging transition for a lot of workers.

The line between work & home has become increasingly blurred for a lot of people. I’m so glad you are creating boundaries between your work & home life.

birdy: my beautiful friend, yes, we give and we receive 😉

I smiled reading about your moment of peace. I think music can be very healing, & I’m happy that you have a talented musician who lives nearby to serenade your neighbourhood.

So how fitting that you unearthed the accordion from your garage on the same day. I’m sure it was a charming cover of Mary had a little lamb and Twinkle Twinkle 😉

I think it’s good that you played some music. It’s clearly a healing balm for so many...xoxox

ecomamma: what a gorgeous flock of rosellas by your window. What a gift.

Apparently comedy helps a lot of people, so I’m glad you have your shows to give you some light.

It sounds like you’re bravely working through some things with your new specialist psych. I think it’s courageous to open up like that...

Thank you for reading.

Kindness and care,

Pepper

[Padfoot02]

Hi everyone,

I hope you're all doing well.

Sorry I've been a bit absent, I've been kinda busy with school. The weather says it's supposed to rain this afternoon which could ruin my plans for this afternoon but oh well. I also had the cat that peed on my jacket in my room peeing on the floor this morning when I got out of the shower. Luckily for the filthy mongrel, I caught her halfway through so I could clean it up as best as I could. She managed to get it on one of my guitar straps and a guitar cable which is just great.

I guess my 30 seconds today is going to be seeing Rhiannon after school. That's if the rain goes away and comes again another day. But one definite 1 minute and 30 seconds today is listening to a song by My Chemical Romance called "Every Snowflake Is Different (Just Like You)" and here's a link to the video for all you awesome people. https://youtu.be/ghAE21nLib0

I hope you enjoy the song and have an awesome day!!

from Padfoot

[Padfoot02]

Hi everyone, I hope you're doing alright.

My (more than) 30 seconds yesterday was having one of my friends (and bandmates) stay over last night. She usually drives to and from school and yesterday was really rainy which wasn't too bad tbh. I was helping her pack her stuff from the place in town she was house sitting and on the drive from there I asked her if she wanted to hang out for a couple of hours, which then led to us establishing that she was gonna stay the night. Which funnily enough, is one of the first times I've had a friend stay over on a school night. We made a 2-litre bottle of milo, played some video games and started writing another song for my album. If all goes to plan then I'll be going to a party tonight with Rhiannon and then spending tomorrow night at her new place.

Other than that there isn't a lot more to report. I can't wait to hear from everyone soon. This thread is really close to 300 posts which means that collectively, we've all enjoyed about 2 and a half hours of relaxation which is insane.

Anyhoo, stay safe and warm as winter begins to roll around.

from Padfoot

[PhoebeWings]

Hallo Padfoot and everyone else,

Padfoot, sounds like you are really using your hours very productively, through your music, creativity and friendships. That’s lovely, it really is.

I was impressed with the 2 litre bottle of milo! We’ve always loved a hot mug of milo, but recently have been having hot choc at night, with a mini mars bar.

It seems like everyone is having their own struggles and frustrations, but hope you are all getting the 30 seconds of happy here and there.

For me, friends are reaching across the seas through txt chat, talking up hopes for ‘what we will all do together when this is over’.

It should have been cheering, but I suspect we’re a long way off inter-country travel.

My 30 seconds was when my son texted to say we could do an online zoom tutorial - he’ll reach me a strumming technique that I struggle with. It made me laugh out loud, whilst giving me a few golden bubbles of happy inside.

I think his patience may be put to the test 😆