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 🙂

[quince]

Hello all,

I haven't posted in this thread before, but am trying super-hard in this moment to tolerate uncomfortable feelings. I need somewhere to post, so here I am.

My 30 seconds of relief was deciding to go for a short walk around the block just before. I was focusing on the cold air on my face, and the feeling of my feet contacting the ground. It helped, even if only for a few minutes.

x quince

[PhoebeWings]

HI Quince,

You know, I loved reading your 30 seconds.

Thst raw sense of connection with LIVING and actually BEING is to me, something precious that we risk being robbed of in this sometimes difficult world.

I hope you can keep diving into pure "30 seconds" of wonderful, refreshing, peace making realness.

[Padfoot02]

Hi people, it's good to see you again.

First I wanna say welcome to Quince, it's great having you here and I hope you stay with us for as long as you need.

Secondly, I apologize for being slightly inactive. School's been a nightmare and I basically lost Saturday to a hangover XD. But my weekend was good, there was a fair bit of crying and vomiting at the party (I only threw up a little bit XD) and Rhiannon's new place isn't too bad. A bit empty but they're still moving in. My music teacher got me into Red Hot Chilli Peppers accidentally, so now I'm gonna be downloading a couple of their albums.

My 30 seconds today was my PC (or homeroom) teacher bringing in a cake for the class this morning. It was really good, sweet but slightly salty. It was even better since I only had a light breakfast. Oh, and Death Day releases this Saturday which is super exciting for my band. I've had a fair few people tell me they'll give it a listen and just as many ask me to send them a link for it when it's out. I'd keep talking but I'm currently in math so yeah. I hope you all have an awesome day and stay warm.

from Padfoot

[Gambit87]

Hi All,

Hope everyone is going well.

My 30 seconds recently was having a bbq lunch with my family. I really miss my family sometimes and its the best feeling when we're together.

[Gambit87]

Hi All,

My 30 seconds recently was walking through the city on my way home from work. I don't know what it is but I really like the city lights at night! They give me a sense of wonder and make me feel happy.

[Padfoot02]

Hi people, how is you all?

My 30 seconds for today is twofold, so my timetable for school today consists of English (which isn't too bad), study, art, music and catholic studies. So I've got one of the easiest days at school for my entire timetable. The other part is that I'll be going to Canberra for my cousins 18th birthday (she doesn't live there but it's quicker for my dad and her to pick me up from there) which should be awesome 😄

AAANND, Death Day releases tomorrow. It's super exciting, even if people don't like it I'm still happy with it.

In less than good news, one of my friends had a dream that I killed myself, which didn't happen but still. Not good. So I had to reassure her that I'm not gonna do it any time.

Anyway, I don't have much else to talk about this time. I hope you're all doing well. What kind of stuff have you been doing to pass the time? Anything creative?

I hope you all stay safe and warm.

from Padfoot

[PhoebeWings]

Hi Gambit,

I love city lights too. Pure magic don’t you think?

Before moving to a rural area, we lived in the heart of a beautiful city.

There was a road that went along the ridge of an inner city suburb, that looked onto the west side of the CBD.

At dusk the sunset was amazing, bouncing off the sides of the glass-mirrored sky-scrapers... then dark would fall and the city lights would twinkle.

I looked forward to taking in that experience on my walks, or driving by.

City lights make my heart go soft and brings a lightly awake awareness...it’s the human side of it, that we made all this ‘construction’ and so many human lives with so many stories living beneath these city lights. You know?

Then you look at the dear faces as you pass by on the pavements, we’re all so connected, and yet we don’t really live in a way that connects us so much. But, we ARE connected, it all matters.

Thank you for reminding me of something from my ‘previous life’ in the city 🙂

I’m going back to visit sometime, and I’ll think of this thread.

[PhoebeWings]

Hi Padfoot,

Your Canberra trip sounds like something really great to look forward to. Excellent 👍

You must feel so excited about your music and release of Death Day.

Will look forward to hearing how that goes!

[Gambit87]

Thank you for sharing Phoebe! I couldnt agree more.

My 30 seconds was buying a bike and spent the weekend zooming around my area and grabbing a coffee haha. Feels so free biking around.

[Jesicca]

My 30 seconds of survival for the day:

Waking up and opening my blinds to let natural light in and doing a few of my favourite yoga stretches to relax any muscles that felt tense from my sleep by really listening to my body and noticing any areas of tension. I always love doing this to start my day off on a positive note and to get my blood flowing.