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30 seconds of survival during tough times: what is yours today?

Peppermintbach
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor

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 🙂


340 Replies 340

Gambit87
Community Member

Hi All,

My 30 seconds yesterday was going to my first taekwondo class in months. Felt so good to be back.

My 30 seconds was biting my tongue and not complaining at bank when I was kept waiting for an hour.

Hey Pepper...great thread and thankyou!

Hey Quince....good on you for tackling your uncomfortable feelings by walking with the cold air...even a few minutes is a bonus 🙂

My 30 seconds of peace was playing '80's music and pruning a mop top robinea....I know...I need to get a life but it worked

my kindest always.....Paul

Tay100
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hey guys,

Haven't posted here in a while, but here goes:

Today my 30 seconds included getting up at 12 after going to bed at 4 am after a D&M with my mates, so cathartic and very much needed!

Hope you all are well,

Tay100

Gambit87
Community Member
My 30 seconds lately have been my bike rides! its been so good to just get out about seeing the city from a bike.

When a close friend argues and calls you names forgive them as you know you both are stressed.

Padfoot02
Community Member

Hi everyone, I hope you're all doing well.

Sorry I've been vacant from this thread for a long time, life has been getting in the way.

My 30 seconds today was having band practice for the first time in months. I've currently been working on my chemistry depth study which is due at 9 am tomorrow morning. But oh well.

That's about it for now, I hope you all stay warm during winter. Death Day is doing pretty well on Spotify and youtube which is great.

from Padfoot

Leisa68
Community Member

Hi all,

What a great idea for a thread! Well done!

My 30 seconds for survival occurred during the night when I was about to panic, or do something silly, cause I could not sleep.

Instead, I opened up my Audible book app and listened to a book. I fell asleep after an hour.

Have a good one

Leisa68

Gambit87
Community Member

my 30 seconds on the weekend was my partner and I going to a nice restaurant and sharing a great meal.

and seeing my family for lunch!

Tay100
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi guys,

Hope you are doing well,

My 30 seconds is eating curry for the third day in a row and loving every second of it!