A thread for calm - peace, happy thoughts, support.

[Ninkanink]

This is a place where those of you who might need to talk to someone can post for gentle support, a listening ear and someone to keep you company when needed. Anyone who is finding it difficult to manage fears, anxieties or just the stress of virus/isolation in general and needs a few minutes away from your thoughts, come and get comfy here and we’ll chat about anything and everything. Anyone welcome as long as everyone keeps it positive, supportive and light. No arguing, no bunfights, no politics/controversy/dragging one another down.

DISCLAIMER: I’m not a mental health professional, I have no qualifications in that regard. This isn’t a counselling thread or somewhere to look for help for mental ill health. I’ve just put this thread here to keep it quiet and out of chat/AIBU.

and and to all!

Ooooh I like this and need it. I am 39+4 and so due any moment, also have asthma and feel alright mostly but am now about 10% worried.

Could really do with a nice calm corner of MN away from the mania of some of the other threads.

Thanks OP, pulling up a beanbag and a chamomile

Welcome and I hope you’ve made yourself properly comfortable by now.

Here’s a photo of our dinner tonight - chilli dogs on baguette, topped with cheese, sliced jalapeños, pickled gherkins and crispy options. Very tasty and I made enough chilli for two or three more meals so I’ll freeze one portion for next week or the week after.

Thanks for the invite, I really need this!

I really need this too. Thanks OP.

I made a lovely tea too. Chilli and soy salmon skewers with baby potatoes and asparagus. I find is soothing to have appealing food in tricky times.

(No pics, for I have scoffed it).

Super idea op, currently retreating to bed with Ruby Wax's 'how to be human' - highly recommend! 📚 had a lovely vegan chilli con carne for tea tonight, feeling grateful for my warm bed and full belly!

No worries!

I’ve got a beer now and am settling down to chill for the evening. 👍

Have you read the no.1 ladies’ detective agency series of books, by Alexander McCall Smith? It’s my favourite series of books for finding peace and calm in the goodness of humanity. Very gentle, actually very sophisticated and complex commentary on the human experience all tied up in deceptively simple stories. If you haven’t read them I’d recommend them as I find they really ground me. You can find them easily in charity shops or if you have a kindle it’s well worth buying them imo.

A few YouTube channels that I find good for calming anxiety and/or stress (I’ve just selected a random video from each one):

m.youtube.com/watch?v=2MYKetnSI4I

m.youtube.com/watch?v=9kgiZGKI1OU

m.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Favi8wWDY

My DH and I have recently got into and really enjoy watching K Dramas (you would likely find this very funny if you knew us) - here are a few of the ones we’ve liked:

My Love from the Star

My girlfriend is a Gumiho

The Master’s Sun

The Greatest Love

Shining Inheritance

Oh my Ghost

Bring it on Ghost

Lie to me

Let’s eat

There are more but I can’t remember now...

Thanks op, great thread. Chilling on the sofa with various pets, watching master chef.

Welcome! Anyone who has pets and wants to spam us with cute cat/dog/bunny/etc photos, please feel free!

I need this too! After almost crying earlier, DH insisted we turned the TV off, put some music on and read our books. I've just finished 'Such a fun age' by Kiley Reid. V good.

I'm now trying to avoid the online CV rabbit hole. Might go and look at some pretty pictures on Pinterest...

Ninkanink
Thank you for starting this thread, it's very much needed at the moment!

I've been to yoga this evening so feeling calm and relaxed now. I've had a quick dinner of soup and toast as it's late and just off for a shower. I make my own body scrub with coconut oil and essential oils, it makes my skin feel lovely and soft.

Then off to bed to read my book.

we’re all in this together.

I play Hay Day. It’s nice to tend my farm, be productive and look after my animals, even if it is all make-believe!

Thank you, I need this too - I have no history of anxiety or mental health concerns but I am all over the place at the moment.

Attempting to get 10 month old DD back to sleep so I can finally eat my chilli bacon pasta. Then a few minutes' mindless TV on the new Sky box.

Thanks Op for starting a happy thread!
Trying to remain calm as I'm also 38wks + 4
Your dinner looks lovely, I love Jalapeños but if I go into labour after just eating something like that it could get messy so as much as I love spicy food I'm avoiding it

Budge up, let me in too. I've brought pringles and dips.

Pringles and dip?? (not in a weird way!)

Cozy cockers today 🧡

Oh I love a cosy cocker!

YES! I'm gonna hang out here if I may.
Had Classic FM and The Archers on this evening, with a scented candle.
In bed now with hot water bottle (gorilla cover), Candy Crush, a cup of tea and then read for a bit (A Man Called Ove).

I shall go for a run tomorrow - am thankful I have that passion.

Running is fantastic. I can’t anymore after having suffered years of chronic plantar fasciitis, and once in a while I really, really miss it. It’s great for the mind, body and soul. Enjoy your run tomorrow!

@Rojelio probably a very sensible decision to forego it for now! Wishing you and @ShirleyPhallus a comfortable sleep tonight.

Goodnight all, I’m off to bed to snuggle down with DH and catch a k drama episode!

Good morning everyone! The sun is shining.

I’m wearing my new-ish fluffy pink Pom Pom slippers (so comfy and cosy!), my floral shorts and cami set and a white kimono dressing gown. We’ve had coffee and a cinnamon bun, and watched Frasier (as is our routine on days when DH works from home).

I hope you each have a good day today.

Oh my god my legs look huge! Should have thought to not flatten them against the pouffe like that!

I've seen worse legs I'm having a quiet 10 minutes with Classic FM, coffee, and a lemon drizzle cake

Oh enjoy! I love classic FM, and lemon drizzle cake!