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!

:)

Yesterday's
1 mon night helped run a meeting at church which inc me standing up speaking in front of a group of parents and it was ok!
2 had nice shop and chat with a friend
3 had good lego session with dcs after school

My ovarian cyst has shrunk.

My humour is occasionally risqué but not gross.

It's ok to want to help out at school camp and do it for me.

1 Did a job application, and also wrote up minutes for a committee I'm on
2 Got a thread on simple Christmases in DOTD !
3 Went out last night to concluding session of study group at our Meeting House, and found some nice things in LIDL as a contribution for the bring and share supper/nibbles

1. Went out twice today even though I didn't feel up to it and was trying to make excuses not to go.
2. Did a big Amazon order so getting organised for upcoming birthdays as well as some Christmas stuff.
3. Experimented for the first time with dying clothing...something that had a stubborn stain that I'd stopped wearing is now a different colour...not dry yet but so far it looks good and I think I'll be pleased with it....it's like a totally new garment for a cheap price.

1. Phoned up about another job possibility and had a mildly encouraging conversation and email (with application form attached)
2. Lots of lovely posts on my Christmas thread
3. Looking forward to my weekend away on Quaker committee, and feeling less daunted by prospect

& 4. Blue skies today lifting my spirits!

1. good painting
2. easy tea
3. downton abbey

Oops have forgotten again

• had a friend of DD's round to play, went really well
• super proud of a dress up outfit I've made for DD this week (for superhero day tomorrow) - keep seeing it on the hanger and getting a little ego boost!
• found out that while our DCs get free school meals, they are also able to access a free extra curricular activity as part of the pupil premium - really chuffed at this and will be arranging an appt with the teacher to decide what to go for!

I love this thread! And it's something I really need to do too!
It's been a rough day today and I don't have 3 things. Though I am inspired to look for them tomorrow xx

Oh please can I join?
I made up with a friend, a huge relief.
I was on top of things at work
I read dd a story

I like fruitandnutti.s idea to add an aim for the rest of the day. Normally I only write my 3 things at night, today is a once off that I can do it in the morning as I have a child free day . But yesterday I came on here just to read in the afternoon and made a mental note of my aim...and achieved it...thanks to fruit'S suggestion, so thank you .

Yesterday:
1 DD slightly better behaved.
2 DS had a big long nap in the afternoon so I had a good rest.
3 delegated a task so I could get on with something else.

Today:

1. Child free morning.
2. Got some yummy foodie treats just for me to enjoy at home on my own.

3 P

Phone playing up...

1. PTA happy with something I did for them.

Aim: do some baking and order those prints!

• got cake decs made
• got cupcakes made
• managed to calm myself down after almost panic attack

I'd like to join-that's a big step in itself because a while ago I looked at this thread and felt too low to feel I had anything I believed enough to write.

So today:
I made biscuits with my dc and felt calm doing it
Friends came round and I stayed calm but firm when dd wouldn't share
I asked a lovely mum I know to come for coffee and we swapped numbers. That's huge because I've been avoiding seeing people for ages.

Hello BigBirthdayGloom! I'm new too.

1- DD looked fab in her Children in Need costume.
2-DH actually finished work on time today, the kids were both in bed by the time he got home but at least I got to see him.
3- I had a long chat with DH this evening about how rubbish I'm feeling and we've come up with a few good plans to help me get better.

Welcome newbies! And well done for posting. It can be daunting but I like to think we are a friendly bunch :o

Mine for yesterday:

Managed to walk the DCs to school with DH (got the bus on to work from there) and enjoyed compliments about DD's outfit :o still can't believe I made it - I finally feel confident about crafty things and it has opened up a whole new world of exciting ideas especially for Xmas!

Great day at work in the smaller 'satellite' library I was covering at - getting to know the staff better and helping loads of customers, but was a restful shift as it's not so busy as my usual big branch.

Managed to play outside with the DCs for a bit without DH there. Big achievement as lately I've just said no when they've asked. They looked so cool running round as superheroes and I got a great photo of them too.

Got the viewing cards from the school photos and (after several attempts to remember our password) saw the full set online. Felt completely overwhelmed with pride and love for my DCs, I still marvel that DH and I could create two wonderful gorgeous children! Can't believe they came out of me! I especially love the ones of them together. Some of them capture DD looking at her little brother with complete adoration. This makes me so happy!

Great evening with a friend - invited her to our family movie night which she was really pleased about, then we had a nice pub meal just us two and had a good catch up.

Ooh I got 5 things, go me :o I've been rigidly sticking to 3 (one of my many issues is the need for consistency/rigidity) but sod the rules this makes me feel happier! :)

Aim for today (great idea BTW!) - easy snuggly morning with DCs (DH off to work soon) and hopefully a gentle stroll round a neighbouring town when my parents arrive later - got a few Christmas things to look for.

1 lovely family day out.
2 did very little housework, nice to take a break from it.
3 nice to see DH & kids so happy & enjoying themselves.

Dd and I tidied her room-she asked me to help and we didn't get cross with each other
Dpil came and dd and ds decorated a birthday cake and worked together
Dd and ds got up together and played a game where dd helped ds and have him extra turns

1 dds birthday party went really well
2 finished cake in plenty of time and looks fab
3 managed my anxiety ok this morning

Took ds and dd for a walk along the stream today and all had a lovely splashy time

Dd and ds played shops and cafes together and sorted out roles happily

Read dd a chapter of her book.

I'm able to concentrate on things without feeling anxious about getting the next thing done.

Yesterday was quite hard. We had a nice trip out - DH was working so my parents took me and the DCs to a nearby town. But I felt quite anxious for a lot of it, over silly things. Crowds probably didn't help. Didn't feel up to putting a positive spin on the day last night but I will now:

• managed to use mindfulness training to ride the storm of the anxiety (even if it did take til bedtime!)
• DH got through a phone interview and has been given a face to face one!
• DH found a cheap hdmi cable which means we can use the internet on the telly and also have our family Xmas quiz (which DSD and DH have been working on for weeks) on the bigger screen. Exciting!

Today:

• managed to play a board game with DCs when they asked
• got worried when I realised the game I'd promised DSS for Xmas was no longer available online, but DH found a copy in a shop on his lunch break so that's the main gift sorted
• getting a clearer plan for various (child free!) shopping trips next week

Successful day with grandparents
Cake tasted yummy
anxiety ok today