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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

My 30 seconds recently was having bunch at my local cafe.

Every saturday (and sometimes sunday - naughty I know haha) I have bunch at my local cafe. Its a beautiful little cafe with great food and coffee. Makes me feel good to support a local business.

Also - catching up with my brother and his partner for coffee.

quince
Community Member

It's taken all day to find 30 seconds of reprieve, but I found it in having dinner at the pub with my parents.

Drank some tasty wine, ate a really yum cauliflower dish, and didn't have to engage with my anxious brain.

x

quirkywords
Community Champion
Community Champion

My 30secs was to try take on board positive remarks.

Quince I like that your day improved.

GavH
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

My 30 seconds, I probably have 2.

  • To close my eyes and just concentrate on breathing. It somehow seems so much different when you think about it then when it just happens naturally.
  • To give one of the cats a cuddle. They like it and the responding purr makes you feel good.

ecomama
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor

My 30 seconds a number of times has been to put on music - I'll be showing my age kiddos! 😂

* I love the Prproject's You Got The music In You ALOT today - feels like a big hug from a good friend.

Love EM

gucia6
Community Member

Music

Today Chopin's ' Revolutionary Etude'

I find it always very emotional, as if it is expressing deep sorrow, but at the same time incredible fighting spirit, hope and determination.

Gambit87
Community Member

Hey everyone,

my 30 seconds was having a great chat with one of the guys I normally see at my weekly poker games. I havent seen him in a while because of covid, but it was great to catchup!

Padfoot02
Community Member

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

Sorry I haven't been on this forum in a while. I've just been busy lately but I also haven't really felt that down or in need to seek 30 seconds each day. I've just been enjoying each day as it comes. Like my weekend, for example, I did basically nothing but I got to hang out with Rhiannon and celebrate our 5 month anniversary. I think we all just need to take each day as it comes, whether good or bad. If it was all bad then oh well, just be ready for the next one. If it was good then don't expect the next to be good because it will disappoint. Just be ready to tackle whatever comes along. Sorry if I sound preachy, I just thought I'd share what I've figured out on (possibly) my last post here. I'll still come around and visit every now and then but I feel like I don't need to seek joy anymore. Thanks for being here when I needed someone to vent to, you guys helped me through a lot.

from Padfoot

quince
Community Member

Padfoot - that is so excellent to hear! So great to be able to recognise that you've reached a point where the forum isn't really something you need. Tackling each day at a time is also a fantastic approach to life I reckon. All the best.

x quince

Gambit87
Community Member

I got my 1st Dan black belt certificate framed and I got it back on the weekend. The framing was done perfectly.

I felt so proud of myself for that accomplishment. I cant stop looking at it haha.