Recent posts
#81
Recovery Journals / Re: Hope's Journal 2026
Last post by sanmagic7 - January 23, 2026, 01:16:58 PMhey, hope, i know you take breaks away from here, maybe from all things digital every so often, and it seems that when you return you're always glad you did it. good for you. and well done picking and choosing about your books. if it made you feel lighter, it must've been a good thing,
it seems to me you've become quite adept at knowing what you need and don't need. excellent work you've done to reach that point. keep it up, ok? love and hugs
it seems to me you've become quite adept at knowing what you need and don't need. excellent work you've done to reach that point. keep it up, ok? love and hugs
#82
Recovery Journals / Re: Hope's Journal 2026
Last post by Hope67 - January 23, 2026, 11:59:21 AMHi Dollyvee, Thanks so much Wishing you all the best for 2026 as well.
********
23rd January 2026
I had been feeling a bit overwhelmed as I had so many books out from the library and intended to read them - plus I'd bought a few books as well - anyway - I've returned ALL my library books and have decided just to focus on the books I've bought - and I am also considering potentially having a digital break for the whole of February - but not sure whether I'll definitely do that or not. I'm finding it liberating to make decisions - almost as if I feel more 'adult' for making those decisions. Now that I no longer have a large pile of books - and instead have a more manageable list of books that I'd like to read - I feel like it's already feeling lighter and more manageable!
I also think that a digital break for February would stop the algorithm thing that seems to happen - i.e. taking me down various rabbit warrens with regard to content that I end up reading online - having that digital break means I can then focus my brain on things I actively choose to look at in the non-digital world. Maybe buy a newspaper, or magazine, or book, rather than seemingly randomly reading social media content etc.
I am relieved that there are less temptations around food-wise (now that the festive period is over) - because it means I can re-focus on trying to eat heathily and lose some of those extra kilos/pounds that have re-joined me!
Wishing you all the best for 2026 as well. ********
23rd January 2026
I had been feeling a bit overwhelmed as I had so many books out from the library and intended to read them - plus I'd bought a few books as well - anyway - I've returned ALL my library books and have decided just to focus on the books I've bought - and I am also considering potentially having a digital break for the whole of February - but not sure whether I'll definitely do that or not. I'm finding it liberating to make decisions - almost as if I feel more 'adult' for making those decisions. Now that I no longer have a large pile of books - and instead have a more manageable list of books that I'd like to read - I feel like it's already feeling lighter and more manageable!
I also think that a digital break for February would stop the algorithm thing that seems to happen - i.e. taking me down various rabbit warrens with regard to content that I end up reading online - having that digital break means I can then focus my brain on things I actively choose to look at in the non-digital world. Maybe buy a newspaper, or magazine, or book, rather than seemingly randomly reading social media content etc.
I am relieved that there are less temptations around food-wise (now that the festive period is over) - because it means I can re-focus on trying to eat heathily and lose some of those extra kilos/pounds that have re-joined me!
#83
Conferences/Courses / Re: Free AVAIYA course, Healin...
Last post by Hope67 - January 23, 2026, 11:52:18 AMThanks Blueberry, I haven't looked at their courses for a while, but I remember some good ones in the past. I might take another look.
#84
Recovery Journals / Re: Living As All of Me
Last post by HannahOne - January 23, 2026, 02:45:44 AMThank you SanMagic7! I need to remember that accomplishment. I had to give up a lot of other goals in order to be the best parent I could but being the best parent I could was the most important thing, nothing else would matter if I didn't give it everything I had. I have to remember how important it was and why.
for feeling emotions!
for feeling emotions! #85
Conferences/Courses / Re: Free AVAIYA course, Healin...
Last post by Blueberry - January 22, 2026, 09:14:40 PMI still get notifications from Avaiya. I don't have the wherewithal atm to do more than bump this old thread, but if you google Avaiya, you'll find that they now offer I think it's 12 freebie courses a year on a whole bunch of stuff, most of which is probably useful for people with cptsd. Anxiety, depression, overcoming trauma in some form etc etc.
For general info on freebie conferences/courses, check my second most recent thread on Conferences/Courses.
For general info on freebie conferences/courses, check my second most recent thread on Conferences/Courses.
#86
Ideas/Tools for Recovery / Re: Three Good Things Today - ...
Last post by Blueberry - January 22, 2026, 09:01:02 PM1) I finally phoned a friend today to thank her for a little birthday prezzie that came my way, and just to have a chat. We had a nice long chat.
2) The sun was shining - I enjoyed it through the closed window. It's a different, nicer kind of warmth than the heater warmth
3) I'm keeping going at my language-learning on duolingo - today I practised one bout in the morning and one in the evening
2) The sun was shining - I enjoyed it through the closed window. It's a different, nicer kind of warmth than the heater warmth
3) I'm keeping going at my language-learning on duolingo - today I practised one bout in the morning and one in the evening
#87
Recovery Journals / Re: the next step
Last post by NarcKiddo - January 22, 2026, 05:19:09 PMI think it is good to recognise how much grief there is. It's easy to overlook if one has not had a traditional bereavement to pin it on. I am realising right now that I have a lot of grief to process, too. I guess it goes with the territory.
#88
Recovery Journals / Re: the next step
Last post by HannahOne - January 22, 2026, 04:34:14 PMSanMagic7, "just thinking about grief, and how many of us have so much of it inside that we haven't been able to feel, let go of, or continue to carry around in our bodies, on our shoulders, in our hearts - i wonder how many bodily illnesses might be connected to the amount of grief inside us."
I have been considering this a lot lately. I don't want to blame myself for my illnesses. At the same time, it is becoming obvious to me that I can't compartmentalize my pain in my mind. My mind is part of my body. There are nerve signals and hormones and cellular interactions going on constantly. The stress hormones affect the whole body in complex ways.
Your grief is very real, and taking it seriously is important, taking yourself seriously, giving yourself and grief the attention and care you need.
I have been considering this a lot lately. I don't want to blame myself for my illnesses. At the same time, it is becoming obvious to me that I can't compartmentalize my pain in my mind. My mind is part of my body. There are nerve signals and hormones and cellular interactions going on constantly. The stress hormones affect the whole body in complex ways.
Your grief is very real, and taking it seriously is important, taking yourself seriously, giving yourself and grief the attention and care you need.
#89
Recovery Journals / Re: the next step
Last post by Armee - January 22, 2026, 03:49:19 PM I think you are so right and I am sending all the good vibes from the left coast that you can find a good T soon to help you titrate these feelings so the pain can be released and you can feel all the emotions you need to without being disabled by them.
#90
Recovery Journals / Re: the next step
Last post by sanmagic7 - January 22, 2026, 03:04:38 PMthank you for stopping by w/ a hug, armee. it felt good.
PC, thank you for sharing your empathy. grief is such a big deal, and yes, we'll get thru it together.
TBB, those big hugs are my favorites. thank you so. this is a lot.
hope, thank you for that big hug. i know what's behind it, and i can feel it.
PC, yes, yes we are. and it's wonderful. thanks.
hannah1, thanks for the validation. and all those lovely hugs.
just thinking about grief, and how many of us have so much of it inside that we haven't been able to feel, let go of, or continue to carry around in our bodies, on our shoulders, in our hearts - i wonder how many bodily illnesses might be connected to the amount of grief inside us, wreaking havoc on our innards, on our brains and minds. if i think of that, i get a sense of urgency about letting it out, getting rid of it.
i mean, grieving means feeling the pain of the loss. w/o grieving, we are carrying huge amounts of pain inside us. and pain carries with it it's own type of neg. energy, does it not? maybe i'm reaching here, but it makes sense to me, that our feelings/emotions are energy-charged. that can be the only explanation i can think of as to why anticipation of a happy event, like a visit or a gathering or something meaningful can cause me stress. for many years i've learned that i have to tamp down my feelings of excitement and anticipation or i get sick. i've even had to cancel a trip to the states when i lived in mexico because of being too sick to travel.
so, to me it doesn't matter what position a feeling takes, so-called pos. or neg., it still has its own energy. dang, i can't wait to find a T and be able to start working on this. i'm too scared now to do it on my own after my last experience.
PC, thank you for sharing your empathy. grief is such a big deal, and yes, we'll get thru it together.
TBB, those big hugs are my favorites. thank you so. this is a lot.
hope, thank you for that big hug. i know what's behind it, and i can feel it.
PC, yes, yes we are. and it's wonderful. thanks.
hannah1, thanks for the validation. and all those lovely hugs.
just thinking about grief, and how many of us have so much of it inside that we haven't been able to feel, let go of, or continue to carry around in our bodies, on our shoulders, in our hearts - i wonder how many bodily illnesses might be connected to the amount of grief inside us, wreaking havoc on our innards, on our brains and minds. if i think of that, i get a sense of urgency about letting it out, getting rid of it.
i mean, grieving means feeling the pain of the loss. w/o grieving, we are carrying huge amounts of pain inside us. and pain carries with it it's own type of neg. energy, does it not? maybe i'm reaching here, but it makes sense to me, that our feelings/emotions are energy-charged. that can be the only explanation i can think of as to why anticipation of a happy event, like a visit or a gathering or something meaningful can cause me stress. for many years i've learned that i have to tamp down my feelings of excitement and anticipation or i get sick. i've even had to cancel a trip to the states when i lived in mexico because of being too sick to travel.
so, to me it doesn't matter what position a feeling takes, so-called pos. or neg., it still has its own energy. dang, i can't wait to find a T and be able to start working on this. i'm too scared now to do it on my own after my last experience.