Not quite a journal

[smallwolf]

One of the things I write in replies is about maintaining a journal of sorts. It is not quite a journal though because the contents. Each day I start with

-three things to look forward to

-three positives and positive qualities shown

-one pleasure, accomplishment and gratitude

The thing about this journal is that the smallest things are valid. For example, brushing teeth, showering, making breakfast, drinking coffee or hot chocolate.

Starting off can be hard. But after a while it becomes easier. I still have problems some days. On these days phrases like "the small things" can still have a positive vibe.

And this journal does not take long to write either. Over the next days, I will write my real entries here. If you want to add yours here, please do.

Something like this practiced each day eventually should rewire our brains to think more positively. Best thing is that it is cheap. All you need is pen and paper and yourself.

The fun starts tomorrow.

[smallwolf]

Quirky,

I have no idea what happened to my last post. Restart. But first, I have been doing this since the beginning of the year so sort of used to it. Secondly I have to. Yes it is home work but if I don't do it then it is easy to sink down. Now if free form works better for you then good. But I have mine in different sections so that suppose my psych wants to talk about unhelpful thoughts they are easy to find.

End of part 1

[smallwolf]

Part 2

So, 2 weeks ago I was triggered. I didn't go to parents place. Instead I went to the art gallery. But I also spoke to Mum on the phone for an hour.

My positives for the day were - talking to Mum and getting good advice; appreciating art; supportive people.

Again, triggered last we'd and positives were - new prayer beads; pizza dough recipe for daughter; breathing, alive.

Each day, in amongst the crap we remember, there are bright spots that need to be remembered.

Tim

[demonblaster]

Hi Wolfy, everyone 🖐

Wolfy thanks again for this. I was thinking to do it in notes but reading back you invited anyone

I'll do yesterday cause atm in considerable pain with back out.

Positives.

Not that my back went out but could walk (then anyway) Often grateful for that.

Mostly feeling happier.

Had more quality (hours +) sleep.

looking forward to

Didn't but same about getting back into the card

Reading more of self help book

Going away to brothers for Xmas

Gratitude.

Other day read a little on self help book

Had some friend contact

Gorgeous day

Can hear see walk talk etc. All senses in tact.

Have beautiful friends/family and love

Live in paradise

Starting to get my head into weight loss (slowly ☺) again.

Thanks to you this is helping me get into routine and more habit

Accomplishment

Walked to shops and home (with med)

Getting mentally stronger.

Slowly starting not to act on impulse

Cracked depressions back in stronghold thoughts recently. Major breakthrough.

🕊

Cheers Wolfy 🐣

[smallwolf]

DB,

Thanks for sharing your day. A few positives I see there... Can I ask how it felt writing it down? Remembering what you did? And do you think about these things daily and write them down? (I probably said this before, but it was quite hard for me to do at the start. Now is sort of a habit. But it is something "I" need to do.

If you permit me... some of the items in your accomplishment and gratitude list could also be things to look forward to - they can be in 2 sections. Well, I think so. The smaller things growing into bigger things.

Putting aside it was my birthday day... pleasure was hot chocolate in the afternoon, gratitude was lunch with locum where we talked about me (call it free counselling), accomplishment was day ending better than it started. Probably the best part of the day was around lunch time with a friend and a smile wishing me happy birthday. For a brief moment I was alive.

Tim

[demonblaster]

Happy birthday for whenever Wolfy. Sounding like you had some highlights in your day. Happy for you.

Thank you for your strong support, I am listening to you and appreciate very much what you said.

Buddy its something I want to do and have after seeing you talk at yours done it on occasion, I have SO much trouble doing anything regularly that I should.

Useless but I'll try

Sorry negative

[smallwolf]

For you DB...

three things to look forward to... (1) going to parent place (2) seeing nephews (3) another venesection

pleasure today will be chatting with mum

accomplishment .... to be determined

gratitude - its a warm sunny day outside

so I hav gotten up, showered, had breakfast, now coffee, writing this entry. There are many things, and not sure if granted is the right word, but from that list... it means I bed to sleep in, running water, food. There are many other living in worse conditions than me (eg. homeless) so I should be thankful for what I have. And the crazy thing is that is took a picture I saw a week ago and your post to realise that.

Lastly, except for these posts I try to the do it first thing in the day. what am i looking forward to today....even things like venesections, seeing specialist is something to look forward to, accumulating knowledge, getting answers. I might not like the answer afterwards, but that is a different story.

Tim

[demonblaster]

Wolfy ⚘thank you

I started to think about lifting up and can't believe it's come to this but I shut down cause I'm scared of another mania. Not the mania but what follows 😭

This is the wrong place to say this so..

Three things to look forward to;

Getting more of card done

More sleep

More to learn (research) to help

Seeing psych weds

Getting better [5 things]

Pleasure;

Doing art/creating/release

Accomplishment;

Walked to shops

Did tinsy more research (leelee)

Soaking some washing

Gratitude.

People like you here

Friends like/love

Health kinda ok. (Better than many)

BB (eternal gratitude)

Excellent MH support in several ways.

Three things to look forward to:

Pleasure:

Accomplishment:

Gratitude:

Did that to copy when I post if that's ok.

Good on you Wolfy. I like reading your good things. Want to see goods for you and everyone for that matter.

Accomplishment for you is you help so many people, me included. Thank you Wolfy.

Hope your days a good one and everyone

[smallwolf]

I am not going to rewrite every word from a book, but will spell out the 5 points mentioned in a book about Tutu and the Dalai Lama... It is on rejoicing in the day. Importantly you don't need to be religious to do this...

1. Reflect on the day.

2. Pay attention to your emotions and accept your experience. Just acknowledge what happened.

3. Feel gratitude. Remember something that happened in your day to be grateful for.

4. Rejoice in your day. Pick something that you did that you feel good about.

5. Look to tomorrow. Trust that you will be able to handle whatever the next day might hold.

And may say to yourself...

May I find peace and joy.

Tim

[quirkywords]

Thanks tim,

I have been slack about writing in a journal most of my writing is done on a computer but I may try a new book with some of the points from your post.

I have usually done freewriting and avoided restrictions of points to reflect on however I am trying to be open to new ideas.

I think I will need to work on No 5. On days when I have barely coped the thought about trusting I can handle what tomorrow brings, would be very difficult.

Numbers one to four I will try and see how I go. I am not one who rejoices about much but will give it go.

I appreciate you sharing different ideas , so thank you.

Quirky

[demonblaster]

Thanks Wolfy hope you're well

It's good, noted it with this. One you told me about a while back. Just got to habit it. Though slowly starting to think of bits like gratitude and looking forward to so it's a start thanks to you ☺

Maybe this I could do last thing before bed. I'm trying to work out something for then and on waking. Want simple achievable positives. Having trouble coming up with anything yet.

Three things to look forward to:

Reading more of a self help book

Lunch in week with friend

Getting back into art

4) Doing more bitsies. Pushing through motivation slowly. Exhilerating

Pleasure:

Being outside walking

Being around or talking to people that like/love me

Accomplishment:

Walked hills (not many but wasn't going to)

Doing jobbies 😆 in batches sorted through lonnng time paper work and some other bitsies

Read few pages of v.good self help book

Gratitude:

Reasonable health

Beautiful loving people in my life

Getting stronger and have some hope

Enjoy your nights 🌿