Anyone fancy a Do something new every day thread?

[woodcutbirds]

Been discussing how much it helped kick me out of depression to do something - anything - every day that I'd not done before or not since childhood, or something I was scared to do. It made more difference than anything else.
Does anyone fancy having a go at doing something new every day for a week?

I quite like the idea of giving a talk about my condition and what I've learned about life/positivity/resilience since diagnosis. I'm not sure though - it sort of just sits in my head and I think do I have something to say? I'd have to organise what I've learned and it's not really going to be anything ground-breaking, but then it's my voice. One to think about.

I'm currently doing a short course through my local Recovery College called Recovery Storytelling which is doing exactly this. Over the course you slowly build your 'story' about your mental health and what you have learnt and want to share. I'm usually a pretty confident public speaker but I'm finding it more of a challenge than I anticipated. In a good way though I think. :)

*@lemonbalmteaI'd love to go to a teenage diary mike-night. Hilarious. I chucked mine out years ago, thank goodness.

Badgers Recovery storytelling sounds fascinating too. There's so much stuff going on in the world.

Hi all!
Great to hear all of the new things everyone is up to!
I decided to pick up a pencil and my water colours this week and get drawing again. I used to be quite arty (A'level) but haven't done much since dd was born as I tend to put off the "me" stuff out of habit. I realised last week that just doing housework daily is a thankless task; so as long as I do one day keeping it together the rest of the days can be more varied. Seems a no brainer but took me a long time to figure out!

I've been swimming again today while dd was in her lesson which feels good, although busier than last week so I couldn't swim for the full 30mins not complaining as I used the steam room and jacuzzi instead

Have also borrowed a neighbours dog for a 3 mile walk which was lovely.

I've also been looking up kayaking and canoeing as dd is nearly old enough for the local centre to do it with me. I used to do PGL holidays and loved making rafts/canoeing/kayaking. We learnt how to capsize and roll (had to wear jeans IIRC to show how weighed down you may be in clothes). Hope everyone is enjoying themselves!

That's interesting about story telling-will look out for courses.

The teenage diary night was called Cringe (!) - had a look and its still running. It really was very funny.

That sounds great lonely. Are there any local drawing classes near you?

Today I went for a park walk- loved hearing the wind in the trees and the squelch of my sandals. Other new things:

Made delicious turkey stir fry- normally goes dry but this didn't

Tried a new gym class, this one wasn't for me at this time but feel good I can recognise that

Phoned an old friend

Discovered my sports centre does adult trampolining-going to try it out

Probably more I can't remember - must post twice a week as it genuinely helps my well being to recall good things.

I have decided to have a look at some new social activities and take a leap into online dating in the next few weeks - holding myself to account by posting here. Seems less scary when I post about it. There isn't a lot where I live (suburban apathy) so requires some research.

Thanks @LonelyTiredandLow. I'm going to look up Cringe.

@Lonely I admire your housework revelation I used to run around hoovering and mopping every day. Now it's once a week.
Good luck with the OLD.

Today's new thing was having curls! I have poker straight hair but the hairdresser said she wanted to play with it today and I ended up looking like Shirley Temple. Really quite liked it. DC loved it but DH was horrified. The curls dropped in the steam from my bath so now it just looks like a floppy 1970s perm, but it was fun to have them for half a day.

Sorry - half my post got eaten. Weird. I meant thanks to @lemonbalmtea for the Cringe info.

I’m looking at something for next week: sauna.
I have never done anything like this but it seems that it wouod beneficial health wise for me...

I’m looking at exercises triggering the vagus nerve too. It supposed to be very relaxing!

I haven’t had time to really do anything this week but next week will be much better so these two are in my plan.

Egg, you can still do tiny things like add a different herb to a dish, listen to a different radio station/new band or try a different shower gel. I find these tiny things really helpful to keep the buzz going in between the bigger ones. (Though the bigger ones definitely do have more impact.)

Btw - I got an interview for that job! Just first filter video interview with a robot but it's a start.

Well done and good luck for the interview bear

egg do you read WDDTY? There was an article about vagus nerve.

Went to the gym and redid my fitness tests. I have lost 3 years off my metabolic age and lost fat and gained muscle. Doubled my plank time too. The instructor was so enthusiastic, it was lovely.

I made prune, apricot and seed energy balls yesterday. They are delicious and can be frozen too.

On Saturday we did a matinee - for the first time in ages I could concentrate for a whole show.

@lemonbalmtea what is WDDTY? And what was your matinee? Dance? Music? Drama? (I love a good show.)

I went to a day of Anthropology talks at British Museum with DS who was considering Anthropology (uni open day season). All I can say is...he isn't now. It was disappointing. But I guess when you try new stuff it won't always live up to your expectations. Also went to a load of talks on War Studies. I thought I'd adore the anthropology talks but they underwhelmed me, and thought I'd have no interest in the War Studies talks but they were gripping.

My new thing today is to go to a restaurant on my own.
I was supposed to be meeting up with a friend but she is ill. So Ive decided to still go there and enjoy a nice meal (with a book).

@lemonbalmtea, what is WDDTY?

@growlingbear, good luck with the interview!
And YY about little things too. Im trying to include them as I go along.

WDDTY is a magazine called What the Doctor's don't Tell You. DF bought me a copy as a joke when I was ill and I have been hooked since.

It was west end theatre (Mouse Trap).

Those war talks sound interesting, I am finding history more and more interesting. The war rooms are still on my list.

Well done egg for pushing yourself - overcoming setbacks (my friend can't come) and finding solutions (l'll go anyway) shows resilience.

That's good to find out now that Anthropology isn't his thing. Has it clarified what he does want to do?

Today I cleared up a lot of shrivelled shrubs. They died as I was depressed before and neglected them. I'm only doing it now because I might have visitors in a few weeks but I don't think what the motivation is matters, another job off the list. I still have to stain the wood decking and buy new plants (they were a gift from the person who might visit me) but in a few weeks it will look much better, it already does.

My new thing today has been to get a skipping rope. I used to do it when I was younger. I seem to be embracing my childhood hobbies! I had visions of getting really good but the reality might be quite different! Will let you know how it goes!

Also gave myself a motivational talk as been having a wobble. I reminded myself this will pass and positive things that have worked in the past to do.

Have great days everyone.

The skipping rope arrived today. Its quite fun in my kitchen. I already want a coated speed one. Must take it to the park soon where no one can see me.

Today's new thing was making cannellini bean dip. All the herbs are so fresh at the moment, I added basil, lemon, a dash of oil and splash of water.

How did the interview(s) go @growlingbear?

Hi
Sorry, I've been useless. Keep meaning to come back here but get distracted.
Thank you for asking @lemonbalmtea. I got through to the next round which is a two hour assessment. I'm a bit panicky about what to wear (first interview was an online one, so just head and shoulders.)

How is the skipping? I used to love skipping as a kid with those old fashioned waxed ropes but these days it's the plastic ones that I can't get the hang of. So good for you, though isn't it?

I've not been doing something new every day but had a few new things. One was a stunning shortcut which I didn't know existed from a nearby town into my village which takes about 40 mins off the journey on foot. I was on my way to the usual turn off when I found a tiny signpost to our village so I followed it and it was the most beautiful bridle path past a gorgeous old mansion house I'd heard about but never seen. So I'll use that path every time now!

@lemonbalmtea - I've just read your posts properly now. Sorry you were having a wobble and that no one was around on this thread to perk you up again. How are you feeling now?
Do you have a good set of things to help you? I love the book Superbetter by Jane McGonigal. There's also an online game but it's fairly basic. And an App which I can't get the hang of. Basically, it turns fighting your demons into a game like a video game. So you zap up your strength by collecting 'power-ups' which can be anything form drinking a glass of water to doing a jumping jack and you name your enemies. One of hers is 'Sticky Chair' if you spend too long being a couch potato, so if you stand up even for a second then you register it on the game plan to show you are fighting it. It's a really clever playful way to combat depression because it takes note of every tiny action.

I've not been feeling great either. These moods go in cycles I know. Hope things are feeling brighter for you. I'll be around if you want a chat.

Best of luck for the second interview growling bear. I've been reducing my ads so its been a strange period. Pleased though as I feel like a new chapter is starting.

Met some old friends today which was lovely. Planning on a soak in the bath now which i haven't done in a while. Tomorrow I'm tidying and organising.

I am amazed from this thread how much positive stuff could be eked out of the day. Definitely worth remembering that.

Will check those links out thanks. Hope you feel better soon too.

Hi @lemonbalmtea
Congratulations on reducing your ADs. It is a good feeling. I've been about a year now without mine. Struggling a bit at the moment but not enough - yet - to return to them.
Second interview went well. Meeting the boss next week for final stage. No idea who else is in the running but I liked the company and absolutely loved the role and the work I'd be doing so really have fingers crossed for it.

I've slackened off on the new stuff a bit recently (though kept up some of the stuff I've discovered through doing this - taking DS2 kayaking later today.) Had a heart to heart with two friends. I never r open up emotionally to anyone, so that was quite illuminating. It went well but I still feel weird about it, as though I've lost a layer of skin .
Bought a new outfit for the interview in the sales. Saw a new play on in London (brilliant). Went to an art show I'd not normally go to because a friend I'd not seen in years wanted to see it.