Share your achievements, small or big!

[Beltane]

Another nice little topic to chat about 🙂

It's really important to those of us with mental issues to hold on to our achievements and successes, especially the ones over our illnesses. Each and every achievement, no matter how small you might think it is, is so important. We should celebrate and take pride in each achievement- because each one is a step towards recovery.

So in this topic I'd like us to share our successes. You can post as often as you like, every time you have an achievement or success you'd like to share (even if you think "but it wasn't that big a deal"). Yes it IS a big deal! Fighting an illness is hard work, so lets celebrate all our achievements!

When i first fought my anxiety, my very very first challenge was to drive to the local shops. And I achieved it, and boy did I celebrate. Might not sound like much to someone else, but to me it was like climbing Mount Everest while wearing shorts and thongs (i imagine). So you better believe I went home and danced around my house celebrating my success!

My most recent achievement I am celebrating is: I attended my first job interview in 3 years that i did NOT take any anti-anxiety medication whatsoever for. Every other interview in the last 3 years i've needed strong anti-anxiety medication. But after much therapy and hard work, i learned more and more coping skills. I was nervous about not taking the medication as I was so used to doing it, but not only did i get through the interview but i did it calmly and kept my anxiety well under control. I'm pretty proud of myself!

(Also I got the job- yay- but unfortunately i cant accept it due to other reasons. But I'm still celebrating being offered a job!!!)

So lets hear it! Whats a recent achievement, positive step or success you made? Take pride in it and celebrate it!!

[Doolhof]

Goodmorning everyone,

It is great to read of your achievements, big or small.

James, I went for a walk along a beach the other day and only managed just over an hour before I had to sit down for a while. I can't imagine running for two minutes let alone 2 hours! Well done to you.

Dottie, our library has a system where they send an email to notify you that your books are due back. I certainly need that bit of help regarding returning books!

I borrowed one from my school library...which I still have! That was about 50 million years ago! Ha. Ha.

Congratulations on getting out of bed too Dottie. For me afternoons are the worse when it comes to getting out of bed. I return home from work, tell myself I will sit on the bed and read, then climb into bed for a snooze and don't get up again until my husband tells me it is time for dinner!

I'm quitting work soon to give my back a break. Hopefully not being in so much pain will also help with the wanting to lay down and rest business. Some days I feel like I can't take another step. So guess I do need to rest my back.

Funny thing about quitting work, some of my clients have asked me to still help them outside of the system as they know I will do things for them about the house which the company I work for does not cover any longer.

Cheers all from Mrs. Dools

[Nicoc]

Good morning everyone

I joined BB early this year but then my mum was diagnosed with cancer and I focused all my energy on caring for her. She lasted 1 week and six days but it was such a beautiful time that it was definitely a big achievement.

I've also birthed and raised nine beautiful children...so that too, I consider a big achievement.

Today though, gripped by grief, and in the throws of yet another depressive episode, I've chosen to reconnect with BB, and I've chosen to make today count. A small achievement...but one that takes mighty effort.

Nic

[Doolhof]

Hi Nic,

Welcome back. I have commented on another post I found from you.

Sorry to read of your Mum's death. It must have been a very bitter sweet time for you. Lovely you had that time with your Mum but so sad it was under those sad circumstances.

I congratulate you on your family! That certainly is some achievement!

Cheers from Mrs. Dools

[Music_Freak]

My mum got sick (everyone thought it was an infection or something). She was taken to hospital, then moved to the ICU and was there for 2 weeks before she died. Metastasised lung cancer. Her getting sick was the beginning of symptoms 😞

Is getting out of bed for a little over an hour even an acheievement?

[Quiettall]

It is so heart warming to read these posts. I have been struggling a bit lately after returning from a hugely successful overseas aid assignment in the Mekong Delta for 9 weeks. While I dont like to blow my own trumpet too much, I have so many stories to share, but it seems people back here, including my wife and family dont really care, dont support or show interest in the welfare of other countries or cultures. Rather than getting bitter and twisted about it, I have busied myself doing on-line surveys, collecting the credit points and converting them into gift cards, which I then take to the shops (Coles, Bunnings etc) and buy small items which I send over in a parcel to those with whom I worked alongside in Vietnam, just to let them know I appreciated working with them, and learnt just as much from them as I hoped they learnt from me.

It is good to share in practical ways, if others dont show interest in talking. I've also joined this site, as well as maintaining contact via Skype and Viber with other volunteer colleagues as well as some of the peoplke back there that I have become very close too. Although I am so far from them, I feel they are more family to me than some of the people here.

Cheers and have a wonderful weekend

[Doolhof]

Hi Quiettall,

Would you like to share your experiences with us all as it sounds fascinating to me.

You could open up a new thread. We have another member who is heading to Cambodia for a year as a volunteer.

You could share hints and advice to others thinking of doing the same thing.

Looking forward to learning more about your trip and how these vouchers work.

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi MF I am so sorry to read about your Mum.

There have been thousands of times when I have really struggled with my Mum. I am lucky to still have her around!

Getting out of bed for an hour sounds like a huge achievement! Maybe tomorrow you may be able to get out for two hours!

I have a funny bed story. I clean for a lady who has her 20 something year old son living with her at present. I saw a lump in his bed and thought it was the cat. I pulled back the covers to pat the "cat" and it was a teddy bear! So cute!

Cheers all from Mrs. Dools

[Just Sara]

Dear MF;

My deepest sympathy for your loss..your story of your mum's passing would shake even the hardest of souls.

Getting out of bed seems a huge achievement as Mrs D says; I'm with her. Facing not only your own grief, but also the grief of those you're in contact with once up would add to the process of loss. So yes, a bewildering and courageous effort.

Warm thoughts..Dizzy (Hugs)

[Just Sara]

Dear Quiettall;

How wonderfully creative and confident! Going against the grain so to speak is difficult enough, but you've got it in spades! Mrs D gives some good advice in asking if you could create a thread re this subject. I'd love to hear more too.

Quiet achiever's like yourself give hope and courage to others to step out of their comfort zones. Kudos!!

..Dizzy (hand-shake of support)

[Doolhof]

Hi Dizzy and Everyone,

Once our winter weather disappears I am going to set up our tent in our back yard as a practise run. This year I want to achieve a camping weekend in a National Park.

If I practise at home I will know what I need when out in the bush!

Right now everything is so wet and soaked, the tent may be sucked down into the mud!

Cheers all from Mrs. Dools