Hello - an introduction

[compassion_always]

Hi there,

I just wanted to write this post to introduce myself. I identify as female and my pronouns are she/her. I have lived experience with symptoms of anxiety and depression. I am fascinated with everything to do with mental health and joined up to the forums to give and receive support for my mental health.

I recently have been focussing on self-care rituals and trying to find new ways to connect with others during this pandemic. I've been going through a rough patch with feeling low and un-motivated, and even lonely. Every day seems to blend into one at the moment but I've found a few things that have helped:

- calling or messaging friends and talking openly about how I've been feeling.

- finding resources on Instagram from other people with lived experience of mentally ill health or mental health professionals.

- cooking nice food for myself, even from meal delivery kits for when I'm feeling very unmotivated.

- taking time to enjoy small things like a walk or sitting in the sun.

I'd love to know what others do in the form of self-care, maybe you can give me some tips.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi compassion_always,

Welcome to the forums and thank you for being here. It's so kind of you to want to give back here- I have no doubt that your own experiences of anxiety and depression and the way you use self-care will be so helpful for others too.

I appreciate you sharing your own self-care tools. They are wonderful.

One of your self-care tools that stuck with me was resources on Instagram - I'd love if you could share some! I follow quite a few as well. I'll share a few with you - these ones in particular have lots of self-care ideas; veronicadearly, avamariedoodles, positivelypresent and crazyheadcomics. Maybe these could be worth looking at or getting some ideas from?

rt

[Tay100]

Hiya compassion_always

Thanks for stopping by, we appreciate your posting! You certainly aren't alone in feeling the way you do during the pandemic, especially with mental health challenges. Your strategies are very insightful- feel free to post more of them, I find them very unique!

Looking forward to seeing you around,

Tay100

[sisu100]

Hi compassion_always,

It's so lovely to have you on the forums! Like romantic_thi3f said, I think it's so kind of you to want to give back to others here and I hope you do find support in the forums as well.

I too have been feeling quite down and unmotivated during this pandemic. I've been on the lookout for new self-care tips and tools myself, so I really enjoyed reading about what you do for self-care. I think we share a few similarities! I find connecting with friends on videocalls really helpful in reducing the loneliness. We've recently discovered online boardgames we can play together and so we've had a few game nights which I have been finding super stress relieving and fun. I also really enjoy baking, and going for walks to get some fresh air. Another thing I have recently discovered is mindfulness. I've been using the Smiling Mind app and it has really been helpful in helping me regroup and reset when I'm feeling unmotivated.

I love all the suggestions for resources on Instagram, I will be sure to check them out!