Challenge from my Psychologist. Write down 3 positive things a day. Join me?

[fuzzpig]

Background in brief - history of abuse and lengthy depression, self harm, lots of therapy in teens inc psych ward stay. Now suffering from CFS (also known as ME) and having CBT as part of the treatment.

So, we were talking about low self esteem, negative inner voice etc, and she suggested doing this to gradually build up evidence against these thoughts. I've done similar briefly in the past but having done a lot of psychological 'inner work' this year I feel ready to make it stick and I thought doing a thread on it would make me more likely to bother!

I'm off to watch telly with DH in a mo (Big Bang Theory 6 arrived yesterday :o) so won't be back til tomorrow but if anyone wants to do this with me then jump in! Could be stuff you've achieved, nice things that have happened etc.

Mine are:

• Had my consultation over the phone for the first time - was worried it'd feel weird but I stuck with it and found it really helpful.

• Contacted a friend to arrange a meet up while he's visiting home (I hardly ever initiate anything like that)

• Wrote in my treatment journal the same day as my session, instead of leaving it for weeks!

:)

I think it would be so good to do this, thank you!

Had a really good day teaching (teach piano) and lots of my exam entry pupils are coming on really well.

After a difficult day with DD2 (14) she gave me a really big hug this evening and seems to be trying really hard.

Managed to be persuaded to eat a bit of lunch even though I didn't want to, later ate a piece of birthday cake and a McDonalds meal. Struggling with eating right now but this was a good day :)

At long last I can post three things.
Clothes to charity shop - tick
Two hotels booked for different errands
And a boring form for school done
And DH has got 5/6 bulbs working in here

Pretty, but temperamental light fitting a constant source of irritation.

Clothes have been cluttering up our room for months.

Still more to do, still have primary uniform and DD2 is in Y8

1. Bought some Christmas presents (I always start early!).
2. Got some work done.
3. Have managed to eat okayish.

Ok I had a shit day yesterday, really really sad. But here goes.

• watched a film with DH. We have similar taste for comedies etc so we lounge in front of DVDs a lot, but our taste in movies is very different so it's rare for us to try something together (Side Effects - odd but quite good)

• managed a transvaginal scan without freaking out. Told the nurse I was nervous (I had to get diazepam for my smear test!) and she stayed with me instead of disappearing behind the curtain.

• finally got an answer as to whether I was pregnant. I had quietly and stupidly convinced myself I was. But obviously the scan (which wasn't related to pregnancy at all) showed otherwise. I am gutted even though it should be a relief and I went home and cried. BUT we have talked it through and a DC3 is not ruled out (just not right now!). And the fact that at least I know now is good, I can move on.

Today's:

• in agony this morning and can't really put weight on my leg so my lovely dad drove up and picked the DCs up from school for me (DH normally does it but is working).

• found some lovely soundtrack music on iTunes that I'd not previously managed to find (prompted by watching another French film with my dad - Untouchable, it's lovely)

• DS has sung me lots of jolly phonics songs - I'm so proud of him and relieved because I'd been so worried due to his speech. And I forgot to include the other day, he actually wrote some letters really nicely - considering he would barely even scribble a couple of months back, this is huge! :)

Been a bit absent since Monday but they were still good days.

Tuesday
-Can get around a lot better on my new cast so life is easier
-The electrician fixed the thermostat so the heating now works at last

• Great British Bake Off night -what could be more brilliant

Wednesday
-Found a cleaning company to cllean whilst I cannot
-Decided with DH that we would continue to use cleaners even after broken foot mended (hurrah)
-Enjoyed an evening in without DH - so watched rubbish telly and drank wine

Today
-DH was lovely to me this morning (he is normally lovely too - but a lovely present helps )
-Lovely morning spent with friends
-Introduced my DC to the delights if Blue Peter - and had many happy memories flood back of watching it my DSis as a child.

tough day

• got showered and washed hair
• helped dd with her homework without getting cross
• I think that's it today!

sorry fuzzpig and ColouringInqueen that you've had a tough time. But you still found some positives which is great.
me today:

• Have booked to go on a conference which should help with my research
• Finally got started with a piece of work I have been avoiding.
• Had nice chat with DD1, trying to support her she's having a hard time at school

After having to talk to someone who reminded me of my 'd'm I was able to calm my anxieties and negative feelings myself .
Got dcs to music lessons in plenty of time .
Encouraged dh to get both self help books .
We are both on antideppressants after a very difficult time with my parents .

This thread is a great idea, may I please join?
Yesterday:

1. Made cake for someone and it got lots of compliments. (Thanks to MN for the recipe)
2. DD managing better with homework that she really struggled with last week.
3. Motivated myself to bring DCs on a library trip which they loved.

Today:

1. Spoiled myself with smoked salmon for yummy lunch.
2. DH got complimented for his work in his new job.
3. Friend picked DD up from school and offered to let her stay for a while to play so I can nurse my headache

Hi iMe - which cake receipe was it?

majestic, it's the one where you weigh the eggs & use same weight of sugar, butter and self raising flour. I also add a splash of milk & tsp vanilla.

1. The sun shone all day here.
2. Bumped into a friend in town who said she'd plan a get-together soon.
3. Butcher gave us two free steaks!
4. DH helped me lots with housework & cooking

(Where is everyone? Hope I haven't scared you all away!)

Yesterday's:

• hip/leg felt fine when I woke up so seems to have been a temporary blip!

• finally got round to writing about a treatment session in my journal. Still got the latest session to write about but at least the penultimate one is done now.

• got a cab home from school. This isn't something I really want to do but due to chest infection I decided to face it. Thinking of trying to arrange it as a regular thing

Today's:

• let the DCs do painting in the morning rather than avoiding it, also did an experimental print of the stamp I'd made in the art class last month - looks nice!

• nandos takeaway for dinner. Ate the halloumi on the way home. :o

• dad told me he is giving us £5k out of some money he's inherited. A significant amount to us, it'll roughly triple our savings.

Wow 5k! It's great reading all these :)

Good day today.

-had a lovely day out with my sister shopping
-ate a really big meal at lunch time and it was lovely and even managed to have a snack at tea time
-picked DD2 up from her ballet rehearsal and she was really chatty and happy and we had a nice evening. She's 14 and things can be a bit turbulent between us but good today :)

iMe Do not fret - you have not scared us away

Yesterday

1. Had a really lazy morning-relaxed and read my book. (This is a real achievement for me, my depression/anxiety manifests itself as frantic activity, getting things done. So sitting down has been a struggle for years IYSWIM)
2. Did not freak out at the prospect of MIL (who is utterly lovely and wouldn't judge) popping in at short notice (as above - used to frantically clean/tidy before any guest and before a 20 minute "warning" would have sent me into a frenzy of anxious tidying. Instead I sat and finished the chapter, checked MN and then got cups out for tea.
3. Ordered 2 more books from Amazon - maybe after 7 years my reading mojo is coming back

And again to fuzz This thread is brilliant.

1. Managed to not panic in crowded train station.

1. Didn't purge despite v. Strong urge to

1. Rediscovered a song I loved but haven't heard in ages

1. Had a nap this afternoon.
2. Relieved not to have scared everyone away from this thread.
3. DCs well behaved all day.

1. Got the walnut and eating apples "harvested" from the garden
2. DH mowed the lawn and I love the look of the garden post-mow 3)Had 2 hours of snuggles with DS (5) whilst watching a film this afternoon

Havent been on here a while and away on holiday after today so good luck everyone....!

Mine for today:

1/ dd bought ds a present for no reason with her own birthday money
2/didnt have to go anywhere or do anything today
3/go on holiday tomorrow

1. Survived the day looking after sick DC at home while feeling under the weather myself without exploding.
2. Tried a new recipe for dinner and I think everyone enjoyed it.
3. My four day monster of a headache is starting to ease.

Bea, Enjoy your holiday