Promising to be kind to ourselves...

[Swoopdewoop]

On moodgym there's a section where you have to write down every day for a week what you did that was only for you. That's the point I gave up.

So I'm starting it here and I hope you'll join me - please don't leave me floundering!

Right now - I am going for a quick walk. Will update when it's done.

[Victrix]

This is a lovely idea

I worked on a jigsaw puzzle for a while- not sure if it counts as only for me though as the cat helped

[Queenofknickers]

This is a great idea - please may I join? Today I sent an email to an old friend arranging to meet up which will make me happy

[EmpressOfJurisfiction]

The family are in bed and I've just been curled up in an armchair with a sleepy pup on my lap, eating paella, drinking ginger tea and watching Derek.

[Swoopdewoop]

I haven't thought of anything yet today but I do love reading about everyone else's 'me-time.'

[BillStickersIsInnocent]

Went to the doctor to get a hormonal skin issue sorted out. Had Eton mess at lunch

[yegodsandlittlefishes]

Went for a run in a lovely park, had a coffee at cafe in park after and then walked to another cafe in another park for lunch, with DH.

[Victrix]

A rather epic bubble bath.

[Swoopdewoop]

I like the thought of an epic bubble bath grin]

I had a meander in a charity shop and bought some books.

[Swoopdewoop]

Tomorrow I wil have a crash course on smilies.

[Swoopdewoop]

or smileys.

[Victrix]

I watched a lot of TV today, and drank a lot of tea.

[Swoopdewoop]

I've slept so much this weekend, haven't had time to fit anything else in

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

Made myself a rather good cucumber drink and sat watching Pearl Harbour, having spent most of the day giving the conservatory a good clear out and clean.

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

How is everyone?

My main kindness was to not have high expectations of bank holiday Monday. Still managed a run this morning.

[Victrix]

I bought shoes and a swimsuit for my holiday. I like buying from Asos because they ship via DPD who give you a one-hour delivery time - means I can prepare for the door

Looking forward to them turning up tomorrow!

[Swoopdewoop]

Hi everyone, hope you're all well. I've had family staying and had a busy week, hence no updates from me.

But today I am still in my pjs and just had a lovely smoked salmon cream cheese bagel. Will go for a walk later as well - I find it really calming.

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

Hey, great to see you! :)

I was going to keep adding to the thread but I read in your op that this was for a 'week' so I held back from adding too much.

I sat/pottered and listened to Radio 4 all morning. :)

[Pasithea]

I'm a bit. Confused with all this. I unfortunately due to a very serious illness have all the time in the world to do these things but it does nothing for me so I think I'm a bit opposite , I know I'm depressed but I can't seem to get any joy from these things mmmmmm. Sorry to hijack the post, I think I may be just a wee bit jealous of those who are a bit rushed off their feet. Soz. X

[Swoopdewoop]

Hi YeGods - great to see you too! Your morning sounds nice - a bit more productive than mine! You've reminded me I've got a couple of plants to pot this afternoon and I'll enjoy that too, thanks!

Hi Pasithea. No need to apologise at all. I'm sorry you're not well and I understand that none of these things do anything for you. I've been dealing with depression and anxiety for a long time but only on meds since last year. I'm by no means an expert but I have learned that I had to be in the right place before I could see any joy in everyday things - and actually, sometimes it's still really hard, but this thread is something concrete to hold on to and helps inspire me when I'm not in the mood. Not always, but it's something.

Another thing I learned was that a bar of chocolate or whatever wouldn't really work for me personally, but what does sometimes work is doing something that I'll feel good about after, even though it wouldn't straight off seem like a 'treat', IYSWIM. So perhaps putting a picture on the wall would work, because even though it would seem like a chore at the time, I'd get a lot of enjoyment from it afterwards.

I think the key is to figure out what works for each of us, given our individual circumstances. Do you have go-to techniques to help you when you're low?

[Swoopdewoop]

Also Pasithea, there's great support from the ladies on the village thread. Everyone has different things to cope with but the one thing they all have in common is empathy for each other, so maybe even posting there would count as a thing you do just for yourself? In fact, maybe even you could count your post on this thread as a first step to doing something just for yourself? Sorry if I sometimes come across as a bot Polly-Anna ish.

[Swoopdewoop]

NB I don't mean maybe even you could

I mean you could even maybe....

[Swoopdewoop]

Jeez, 4 posts in a row, how making.

But anyway, today I went into an ice cream shop without children and asked for a 99. And then I ate it, knowing my LOs were in school and nursery. I think I was a little too excited in the ice cream shop.

What's anyone else been doing for themselves? All nice things, I hope.