I want to learn from the past and move forward!

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

We have returned from our holiday. I can sit here and think about the things that did not go so well or I can remember the good and enjoyable parts and expand on them.

Now I am home, I have the opportunity to create new situations, experiences, circumstances and actions.

I don't need to return to the old way of doing life that did not work so well for me all the time. I have an opportunity to create a new and different existence and way of thinking!

I need to believe I can do this! I need to also realise life with depression and anxiety is part of my reality, I need to find and put in place actions and behaviours that will help me accept all of my life, the good, the bad and the not so pleasant.

Cheers to you all from Dools

[quirkywords]

Dools,

welcome back from your holiday.

Your post sounds like an affirmation.

I like you have a plan and are motivated to put it into action.

What do you see as your next step ?

Cheers from Quirky

[Doolhof]

Hi Quirky,

Hi to you and to All.

My next step may well be to write down what I want my future to look like then write down steps of how I can work towards making that happen.

Having thoughts is great, action is also required!

Today I have attended a group that uses writing as therapy. This group is now taking a break until middle of February! I will set myself a time each week to sit and write positively in a journal. To be reflective, creative and constructive.

When necessary I can write in my other book to let out the not so pleasant stuff and work out ways to deal with those issues.

Putting these thought into action will be step one!

Hope you are doing okay, cheers from Dools

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Dools (and a wave to Quirky and all),

That sounds like a great next step 🙂

Writing sounds very cathartic for you. I like how you have a book for different issues/thoughts, plus I think developing an action plan to achieve your goals is fantastic.

Kind and caring thoughts,

Pepper xoxo

[Doolhof]

Hi Pepper,

Thanks for your comments. Having two different books to write in will help me to realise just how negative I can be at times and to realise life doesn't have to be that way!

Creating a journal of hope and positivity will help me to see more clearly all of the beauty and happiness there is to be found in life. On a day when I am struggling, I can go to that journal and remind myself of all the good there is in life!

I'm also going to start writing down activities, people I can catch up with and things I can do at home during the summer holidays. The groups I have been involved in all close down for summer.

My husband now has more hours at work as well which is excellent, it just means I have more time home alone so need to do something about that like finding another volunteer position.

Hope you are doing okay Pepper!

Cheers to you from Dools

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Dools (and a wave to Quirky and all),

Even when you’re struggling, I feel your brave and spirited self shines through your words. That’s a gift 🙂

I like how the 2 books will create a sense of balance for you. A book for your uplifting and positive experiences, and the other for your problems/pain/problem solving. It’s a realistic approach that I think is great.

Thank you so much for the well wishes (much appreciated), and all the best finding a second volunteer role! I hope that goes well.

Pepper xoxo

[Doolhof]

Hi Pepper,

Thanks once again for your kind comments! I do so hope you are doing okay. This time leading up to Christmas can make life "Interesting" as well.

I went to see a Dr the other day and he said I have a virus of some kind, a chest infection and sinus infection and I may be having a reaction to my new anti depressant medication. Some of that might explain why I don't have a great deal of "Get up and go" right now!

My poor head is so dizzy all day I have trouble walking in a straight line! Hopefully the antibiotics will help clear up the infections.

Due to my health issues, I have not done anything about finding another volunteer position just yet.

My journals are working well! I enjoy being creative in the HOPE journal and have a few pages now full of positivity. One page is just pictures of nature cut from magazines.

Today I am going to clean the house, at least start to do so.

Hope you have a good day!

Cheers from Dools

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Dools (and a wave to all),

All those health issues sounds rough. The dizziness sounds disorienting...no wonder you haven’t been feeling your best, what with our physical and mental health (plus physical environment) being interconnected. I too hope your meds help...

Your HOPE journey seems to be coming along nicely, which is wonderful to hear 🙂 Your nature page sounds beautiful, and hopefully it brings you a sense of peace and wonder when you look at it.

Thanks again for your kind words and well wishes. I suppose Christmas can elicit a whole range of different emotions in different people. I know it’s a particularly rough time for some people. For me, it mostly just depends on who I’m with at the time 😉

Kind thoughts to you today and all the best with your cleaning plans.

Pepper xoxo

[Doolhof]

Hi Pepper,

I managed to get some housework completed, so I am thrilled with that! I am appreciating what I can do and trying not to dwell to much on what I have managed to do.

Today I managed to get into the Op Shop for a while and helped out. I took breaks when I needed to. I also picked up a couple of magazines with nature shots in them. I am going to select some pictures out of them and maybe write some poetry or short stories using them for my hope journal.

I'm not sure if we have a Christmas 2018 thread happening yet or not! Usually we do have one gong for people to include their Christmas thoughts and feelings, experiences and expectations.

You are so right that it depends who you are with and how you are feeling in regards to how we experience Christmas.

My Mother in law phoned yesterday to say they will not be providing any gluten free food Christmas day so I will need to take along my own food if I want to eat Christmas Day at their place. I was really hurt and upset at first.

I realise I just made myself depressed and angry, she obviously doesn't care so I will prepare myself some nice food to take along and enjoy and see what goodies I can purchase from the supermarket as well.

Hope you have some nice plans for Christmas!

Cheers from Dools

[Birdy77]

Dear Dools,

Your resilience never ceases to inspire and amaze me.

You are one courageous lady.

I too am glad to hear your journals are helping you. Your poetry/short story idea is great, using the pics you found in the magazine.

My partner and I have to take our own food on Christmas day as well! Not only will they not provide anything vegan at my partner's parent's house, but even if they did I wouldn't trust it because I don't think they even understand what it means. At least you know your food will be safe for you. It does hurt though, I completely understand.

If you're taking gluten free food to share, here's a tip: make sure you get enough of it on your plate first! Last year, even though everyone else was catered for, they all piled their plates high with our food even though that's all we had to eat. So charming. Oh, and then!! they didn't eat it all "oh, so full, can't possibly finish it" , so there was our beautiful food, half gobbled on all their plates and we're sitting there hungry! Quite a lot of steam was coming out of my ears by that point.

Lesson learned though for this year though.

Sorry Dools, for going on about me! I just thought I'd give you a heads up, and saying I can relate.

So glad you got to the op shop today, and took breaks when you needed to.

Take care Dools,

🌻birdy