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

578 replies

fuzzpig · 05/09/2013 20:10

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!

:)

OP posts:
fuzzpig · 27/09/2013 12:26

The film I watched was called The Hunt. Rather creepy. I think it's Danish but I might be wrong and have now returned it so can't read the box. Also recently watched a French film called In The House.

Have now requested a load of others from the library too :)

OP posts:
ZingWantsCake · 27/09/2013 13:04

-finally managed to finish altering a dress for a friend. I've even dropped it off before lunch!

  • lunch was delicious: ham & cream cheese bagels
  • it's Friday! That's always good news! Happy Friday everyone!Smile
findingme · 27/09/2013 13:05

Stressful day but there must be positives - think!

  • I still have a job (have managed to upset a client (through nothing I could control) and nearly flooded the kitchen, I started at 8 and still don't seem to have done any work!)
  • Have had a very positive talk with DH about tackling our debt (nothing terrible, just the usual overdrafts and credit cards, but they have been getting me down).
  • I just won a box of biscuits at the Macmillan coffee morning raffle!
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 27/09/2013 13:48

I remembered to post on my One Positive Thing Every Day blog - I am supposed to post every day, but rarely manage that at the moment.

I made banana, walnut and date cake yesterday - two in fact - and they are delicious, though sinful.

The pasta sauce for supper is cooked, so all I have to do tonight is cook the pasta tonight.

Happy Friday to you too, Zing.

Oh - and I treated myself to a lie-in this morning, which was lovely.

Boofyh · 27/09/2013 18:23

Hello I know I'm late but can I join? I'm on my second day of ADs and can't concentrate long enough to read the first chapter of my mindfulness book let alone do any excersises so this might be more doable.

I had a conversation with stbxh without a. Wanting to punch him. Or b. wanting crawl into a hole and die.

A colleagues dw dropped off a huge box of muffins for us, just because she felt like it.

When someone at work asked me to do something I was able to say "don't worry I've already taken care of it".

ColouringInQueen · 27/09/2013 19:01

hurrah its Friday!

  • my cakes were some of the first to sell out at the coffee morning Grin
  • got within 3 of completing Guardian quick crossword
  • held it together at coffee morning when for a while I had no-one to talk to
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 27/09/2013 20:03

Welcome, BoofyH - and well done on taking the first steps towards getting better!

fuzzpig · 27/09/2013 21:01

Welcome Boofy! I hope you find this thread helpful, I am already finding it useful in maintaining optimism. Go easy on yourself while you're getting used to the ADs - side effects can be very distracting!

Mine for today:

  • another mum approached me at school this morning and got my number so she can invite my DD to play with her DS.
  • my colleague recommended loads of foreign films when I told her what I've seen recently, and requested some for me on the library catalogue - some will be available early next week so lots more to watch :)
  • picked up my shiny new iPod touch. It is the first apple device I've ever bought (had a couple of hand me downs from a generous friend) - have been saving up most of this year for it - so to have the latest thing is a novelty, and it is soooo lovely and did I mention it is shiny - been playing my favourite game which I really missed since my ancient iPhone died. [geek emoticon]
OP posts:
teaandkittens · 27/09/2013 21:30

I love this thread!

  1. I am watching glee and puck is making me go weak at the knees
  2. I got a delivery of lovely tupperware (well glass bowls with lids) so my lunches will be pretty now
  3. I have stuck to a diet for 11 days and lost 10lbs!
spanky2 · 27/09/2013 22:09

I made a fruit cake .
Met a friend and we talked about our dysfunctional families and laughed abit .
Boys had a nice time playing and I felt warm feelings .
I have had wine and I think it shows.Grin

Catmint · 27/09/2013 22:12

I had a lovely time cuddling and playing with my kitten.

I helped sort out a problem at work EVEN THOUGH I WASN'T EVEN THERE!

I connected with an old friend in a way I feel comfortable with.

Catmint · 27/09/2013 22:12

I have had wine too

Queenofknickers · 27/09/2013 22:17

Awful week... Worried depression is coming back, v bad week at work dealing with horrible people. Must do this

  1. Didn't force myself to drive when in chronic pain but took painkillers and rested
  2. My children are happy and healthy
  3. I've heard about a mindfulness course I might do next year.

It's not hopeless, it's not hopeless

BeaWheesht · 27/09/2013 23:19

Queenofknickers - poor you. Are you on medication? Do you have anyone to talk to?

My 3

Bought a lot of my Christmas shopping
Helped raised £500 for charity
Bedtime on my own with both kids went surprisingly well

FishfingersAreOK · 27/09/2013 23:38

I have three easily today - which is lovely to say

  1. Do not need surgery on my foot (broke a bone 2 weeks ago)
  2. Smiled and kissed DC & DH off on an activity weekend - I was supposed to be going to - but rather than feeling glum I felt good that we sorted it so they could still go and not miss out.
  3. Have had a lovely time with my parents - sans DC, sans DH - really rather good to catch up for hours without interruptions. ( And they are being brilliant looking after me)

Can I add a few more please?
4) People are lovely (the odd grumpy clinic receptionist aside). I have come across (mostly) nothing but kindness, concern and helpfulness since hurting foot - from the chap helping carry stuff from the bakers to the car, to the parents and teachers at DCs school and the people at the hospital Flowers
5)I am missing my DC and DH - odd that this is a positive - but for sometime I was emotionally quite "numb" and feeling stuff is a Good Thing.
6) Parents and I have planned a great day out (foot-friendly) for tomorrow - so will feel less like I am missing out on the activity weekend.

Have good weekends everyone x

Queenofknickers · 28/09/2013 11:21

Feeling much brighter this morning - I take my meds at night and I wonder if that has an effect. thanks Bea Smile

HerbertGistcool · 28/09/2013 11:24

Mine for yesterday

  • Had a lovely meal out with DP , first in months
  • Had a really good chat with ds1's teacher who obviously loves him to bits and wants to help him with his difficulties. Convinced me getting Ed Psych in is the right thing to do.
  • Convinced DP to meet with Ds1's teacher as well next week as he is very anti getting outside agencies involved.
ColouringInQueen · 28/09/2013 19:44

Not so good today Sad

  • Got all my errands done
  • Happily watched dd gymnastics and saw how much she has progressed
  • waitrose dinner and wine follow soon...
Millie2013 · 28/09/2013 20:57

Big hug, colouring

Ok ish day here

-nice time spent with the hosses this morning
-giggles with my 7 month old- everything is hilarious at the moment, apparently, I think I need to take a leaf out of her book and giggle more!
-currently sitting in bed with OH, eating cheese and crackers! Yum

Boofyh · 28/09/2013 20:59

Thank you for the warm welcome yesterday, felt stupidly grateful.

Baked a birthday cake.

found a brilliant message from yesterday in dd's contact book.(she hasn't even started all day yet!)

Signed up to Netflix so my long winter evenings are filled.

FishfingersAreOK · 28/09/2013 21:39

Evening. Have had Wine so a little merry....so today

  1. Had a riot today using a mobility scooter round a country house garden (hoping this doesn't out me) .. Whizzed around like a nutter and laughed lots. (Broken foot so only way I could get around.) Enjoyed being a 40-odd year old kid again with my lovely Mum and Dad. Got some odd looks as I did donut circles in the scooter on the posh garden paths - and didn't care. was funny. Just nice to be silly and carefree (DCs away with DH).
  2. Lovely meal out with DParents. Killer steak (nom).
  3. Managed an hour long zzzzz this afternoon. Taken me years to allow myself to do this and not feel the need to constantly be doing stuff - so as well as refreshed from a nap I felt proud of having one.

Hugs if anyone is feeling a bit pants - know the feeling and it is rubbish. But well done for still posting (hope doesn't sound patronising cos not meant that way) - I just know for me on the bad days it is difficult to see past the crap to thing of one good thing, let alone three.

Also like to thank fuzzpig for starting this. I am (hopefully) close to the end on my immediate (though long) journey with depression - but this had really helped focus my thoughts positively the last few days. It is something I am thinking of even starting with DCs. Flowers

fuzzpig · 29/09/2013 07:01

No idea why I'm awake this early Hmm so may as well post yesterday's things now!

  • managed my shift at work despite very little sleep - had woken up at 4 for some reason and just couldn't sleep. But I got through it and it was fun.
  • had been really panicky about DSD babysitting while I worked - NOT because she isn't capable (does it a couple of times a month) but because this was the first time she was taking them out rather than staying home, and DS can still be hard to handle sometimes. So I was nervous but had understanding/reassurance from other mums at work, and DSD kept me posted, and they had a great time meeting up at the park with other DSD and some of their friends - took some lovely photos too.
  • persuaded myself that it was still worth eating round the table together despite it being reheated takeaway from Friday :o - remembered our 'favourite thing from today' ritual and DSD joined in too.
OP posts:
Feelingscrewedup · 29/09/2013 14:20

Can I join?

Today:

My friend gave me a lovely coat.
I had cuddles with my favourite canine friend!
I bought some storage stuff which will hopefully help me sort out the sty in which I currently live.

spanky2 · 29/09/2013 19:03

Had a migraine and was honest that I needed to sleep it off, rather than get up and carry on making myself feel worse .
Watching close encounters of the third kind with family and they have stopped bickering finally .
Only two it has been a difficult day.

ColouringInQueen · 29/09/2013 20:35

Thanks millie
And hear hear to fishfingers

Bit better today

  • Made family favourite lemon meringue pie for first time and it was yummy Grin
  • Allowed myself to have a lie in instrad of going to church
  • had a fun ball game with dcs