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]

Good Morning Dottie and Everyone,

Well done to you Dottie! I hope that once you are at class you will feel okay. Hopefully by the end of the day you will have at least three things that you can be thankful for.

As for me, I'm coming off some medication the Dr. prescribed to help with an issue that is an off shoot of my back problems. Yesterday my brain was not functioning at all like normal!

I vacuumed the floor at least 5 times! It seemed every time I went inside I had a need to vacuum! The funny thing is my husband said he is going to vacuum today! (He was not home yesterday)

Due to my brain taking me on a weird journey full of totally destructive thoughts as well as the desire to vacuum, I stayed in the garden for as long as possible and pulled up heaps of weeds.

Today I am seeing a Dr. to chat about the weird reaction to coming off this medication!

So my achievement yesterday was to not partake in any of the disturbing notions and ideas my brain was throwing at me!

Wishing you all a day where your minds behave themselves! Ha. Ha.

Cheers from Dools

[Guest_322]

Hi Mrs. Dools,

Goodness, those were some intense meds withdrawal symptoms.

I hope your chat with the dr went well and that those symptoms subside in good time.

Thinking of you.

Dottie x

P.S. Thanks, I did feel better after I dragged myself to class ha, ha 😉

[Doolhof]

Hi Dottie and Everyone,

Quite often the thought of going somewhere almost undoes me, but when I arrive I eventually do okay and wonder what all the fuss was about. So Congratulations to you for pushing yourself to achieve.

Some of the symptoms coming off the medication have been really weird! Especially so as the medication was to help with bladder control as that has been affected by my back injury.

What on earth goes into these drugs! I've had hallucinations, paranoia, panic attacks and so on. The Dr. told me that if I purchase the same drug in another form that is 10 times as expensive I will not have the side effects! How is that fair! Being out of work I can not afford the more expensive medication. Having to pee every hour does not help a person wanting to find a job!

Anyway, last night I was asked to attend a meeting for a group I am involved in. My mind was in a whacky place and I behaved unconducive to a meeting setting. Thankfully everyone accepted my explanation and didn't call the police or ambulance! Ha. Ha.

This morning I sent everyone an apology, that was my main achievement so far this morning.

Cheers all from Mrs. Dools

[Guest_322]

Hi Mrs. Dools,

Thanks, as always, for your incredible support!

The side effects sound horrible. 10x as expensive for a side effect free (free-ish) alternative is ridiculous?!

I'm glad the people were understanding, and in all honesty, I don't think you owed them an apology. I mean, it was beyond your control; it was the meds, not you. In saying that, I also appreciate that you're a gracious lady so sent the apology anyway.

You take care and hopefully the withdrawal symptoms soon subside.

Thinking of you.

Dottie x

[Guest_322]

Hi,

Today:

- making headway on (yet another...sighs) assignment.

Dottie x

[Doolhof]

Hi Dottie and Everyone,

All the best with the assignment Dottie!

Years ago we had a neighbour who was a teacher. She was telling me about all the school reports she had to write and children's work she had to mark. I told her to bring some of the work over and I would help her mark the children's assignments!

At least she had a good laugh and felt more refreshed to get back to it after a cuppa and a chat.

My achievements today were to return to the place of the Thursday night meeting and help with an open day for a couple of hours.

Then I left and drove almost 60 kilometres to meet friends for lunch. I didn't feel like going, but once there I enjoyed myself. Some old friends were there so I am very pleased I didn't cancel the lunch date!

All the best with Uni Dottie. I am feeling a bit better thanks. I hope to make a Drs. appointment tomorrow to check out about a spider bite I received on Thursday! It is a little bit bothersome! Darn spider.

Cheers all from Mrs. Dools

[V17]

Hello,

I think my achievement today was finally believing that I don't have to tell my ex partner how badly he hurt me.
My GP suggested I write everything down and not to hold back, then burn it. I like fire. V.

[Guest_322]

Hi Mrs. Dools,

I'm so sorry for the extremely late response (it's been kind of hectic what with final exams). Thanks, I've submitted my last assignment for the semester so now I just have exams ha, ha. I'll be much more active on the forums after my exams.

I'm glad you enjoyed lunch with your friends. It seems like you had a fantastic time with them even though you weren't super keen at first. I guess the 60km drive was worth it in the end 😊

Ouch...hopefully you're on the mend from the spider bite. That sounds painful.

V., well done! Sometimes it's good to get those feelings on paper.

Dottie x

[Doolhof]

Hi Dottie,

All the best with those exams! Hope that you manage to recall the information you need to. My brain struggles enough with forms let alone answering exam questions! Ha. Ha.

Like all of us, it is important that we find a balance between our connection with the forum and real life stuff.

There are some days when I just don't have the time or the energy to turn the computer on, other days it all goes along so well I loose track of the time. Both are okay.

I skipped out of school half way through year 12 due to my depression and hassles at home. Congratulations to you for making it to Uni!

My achievement today is being aware that I do not have to be that same person I was back in year 12. I have grown and I can keep growing into whom I desire to be, depression and all.

Cheers, from Mrs. D

[Doolhof]

Hi V,

Over the years it has certainly helped me to write down stuff that has made me feel miserable. It can be difficult at the time, but so very healing as well.

If you have no where to light a fire, ripping those papers to threads can be relieving as well.

I too found that once I had written it, I didn't go back and read it again. That was just too painful. For you it might be beneficial. We are all different.

A girlfriend of mine writes down stuff nearly every day. She has a lot of issues she still needs to try and deal with.

For me I also found that forgiving myself, releasing the shame and guilt I perceived to be very beneficial.

Wishing you well with this.

Cheerio for now from Mrs. D