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!

:)

Am getting a bit stressed with Christmas and other pressures, however ...

1 DH phoned from work to chat about what we should get for DD for XMas
2 Went out for lunch with a friend - soup was tasty and she cheered me up a bit after bad start to day
3 Took some things to the charity shop
4 DS has been good company since picking him up from school - came home with a project that he and I got good marks for!

Today's a toughie. I feel I went a bit backwards with stuff and got really cross with dd1. So tonight's positives are important to hang onto.

Managed to get children to and from two parties

Finished Christmas stockings.

Made another difficult phone call

And there you go! Until I typed that I was in the "I've done nothing and been no good to anyone" mindset. This is not true. I am however, human, tired, too busy and recovering from a mental illness. I am okay.

sorry for being so greedy yesterday...I'll try to stick to my rations today

1. did lots of baking today, all of which turned out well.
2. got Christmas cards written.
3. DS snuggles out of the blue

Yesterday

1. Did messy craft with DD
2. Got hair done and tidied myself up a bit (nice boost tbh)
3. Met Dh and went to cinema - twas lovely and I forgot all about the house

I'm gonna try and get some tidying and cleaning done whilst waiting for a delivery. Plus presents for posting to be wrapped.

• belted it out in a lovely carol service
• almost finished Christmas shopping
• lovely bright start to the day

yesterday:

1. DD did really well in nativity.
2. coffee with friend, good to catch up.
3. nice lazy afternoon with DCs

DD's Christmas performance was lovely this morning. She has just turned 7 and was feeling shy and also forgot to wear her gloves. She spent a lot of time half facing the audience and put her gloves on halfway through performance. Priceless.

Going to meet friends to meditate and chant now.

Taking DD out for cake after school, early finish today!

Got a job yesterday!
Cuddles with ds in the morning where he was very sweet and funny
Friend brought some delicious hotel chocolat goodies round last night

Hey well done BB

Mine are ....

Lovely Christmas concert last night with DS playing his trumpet and lots of singing of carols - soooo Christmassy
Have got more than half of the things I'll need for Christmas - I think that's good for me IIRC
Feeling mellow (relatively) - possibly and MN helping with that!

House is clean and tidy... well apart from the teenagers rooms but I'm pretending not to notice.

Took dogs for a nice walk and enjoyed being outside.

Ate some lovely food that dh bought on his way home... smoked salmon mmmmmmmm.

Honestly, today feels like two different days so I'm going to have two goes at this!

Dh was out tonight, but the thought of him coming home gave me the energy to get done tidying done.

Made yummy shortbread biscuits for teachers (at 11pm but hey!)

Found a very important document I'd lost that was causing me huge stress and stopping me getting stuff done (not actually, but just because I couldn't think about much else)

Hi, fallen off the wagon a bit, but trying to jump back on...

yesterday

1. lovely evening with sister
2. went for a good walk in the sun - beautiful
3. let dd have a try with my paints

right, today.

1. got all the food shopping done
2. got out for a walk in the sun
3. had a nice time this pm with dcs posting and then putting up xmas cards

Feeling less stressed than a few days ago partly because ....

1. Got a few bits of tat for the DCs stockings (Santa asked for a hand this year) Cost a fortune but hey ho, or should that be Ho Ho Ho
2. Bought a couple of Christmassy plants for DM and DSis
3. Had a nice chat with DM about Christmas plans (think that was yesterday, but still)
4. Bought some nice festive treats at LIDL this afternoon - Baileys is going down well

Watched ds in his nativity at nursery... enjoyed watching him roll around on the floor and pull funny faces.

Phoned mobile company and had phone problem sorted out... only taken me three days to sort it out

Enjoying my third glass of wine... and don't feel guilty about it at all...

Yep..good day today.

Got through a stinky meeting with builder.

Dh came home early

House is tidy enough!

1 DH offered to look after DCs so I could have a nap this afternoon. it certainly made up for having to deal with a massive toddler tantrum in public today.

1. the fridge is bursting full with lots of good food and we have friends and family to share it all with over the next few days. [soppy]
2. hot chocolate with brandy in front of the fire, cosy, warm Christmassy atmosphere.

hi

1. managed to ice-skate with kids and dd despite being v anxious
2. had nice meal and chat with bil and kids
3. got Christmas cake marzippaned

Wrapped dcs gifts
Dc put on a play-very sweet
Dh made yummy lasagne for lunch with friends

1 no headache despite feeling tense most of the day.

1. cooked yummy dinner for guests.
2. DD well behaved while we were out but turned into a monster when we got home

Survived in good humour despite dd2 being wakeful in the night and having stayed up late to wrap presents

Watched strictly on iplayer and loved it.

Had lovely Christmas dinner with friends.

1. Managed carol service despite headache and singing was great
2. Wrapped lots of pressies
3. Saw lovely friend at carol service

Hi Friends, how are you all ?(with 2 sleeps to go!)

Three (oh, or 5 ) good things ...
.

1. DH and DS have tidied up our conservatory ready for Christmas lunch

but you should have seen the fuss involved from DH

1. Only have 6 pressies left to wrap after I got DS to do most of mine
2. Cards went off first post this morning, with lovely pics from the DC (only close family mind you)
3. Everyone still in good humour with everyone else!
4. to drink with supper

• DS has been a trouper actually, bless him

Saw a good friend for a cuppa and got some great moral support from her

Watched a Christmas film with the dc ...a feel good film we all enjoyed

Wrote some positive things in my journal... first time in a long while

Hope everyone finds something nice in their stockings xxx

hello everyone

ok.
lovely lunch with friends
nice tea with neighbours
just made the brandy butter