Recent posts
#91
Recovery Journals / Re: Desert Flower's Recovery J...
Last post by Chart - December 24, 2025, 08:51:04 AMThe flowers of the desert have to choose very carefully their moment to open and expose themselves to a consistently harsh environment. As such they are deeply, intrinsically wise. They know in their core of what the land, wind, and sun are creating around them. Season after season they learn and modify, testing, sometimes failing, sometimes closing up again to await better conditions. But even in difficulty, they are in union with themselves.
What a wonderful post to read in your journal. Thank you DF. Sounds like you're striking out in a whole new way of being.
What a wonderful post to read in your journal. Thank you DF. Sounds like you're striking out in a whole new way of being.
#92
Recovery Journals / Re: Post-Traumatic Growth Jour...
Last post by dollyvee - December 24, 2025, 08:31:57 AMQuote from: SenseOrgan on December 22, 2025, 03:38:57 PMIt seems to me our sense of self is easily influenced by the strong emotions of other people. It lacks the robustness of people who were allowed to individuate properly. The ICR is part of this too, but I believe a good chunck of this is the autonomic nervous system taking the wheel during certain social situations and cognition following suit.
This is a very good summation. I want to comment more, but don't have the capacity at the moment. Thank you for your response and sending you support.
#93
Sexual Abuse / Re: Self-abandonment since CSA
Last post by Marcine - December 24, 2025, 04:06:57 AMHi DD,
"the fundamental right of human beings to notice their limitations, boundaries, resources, and needs. And to communicate them in a respectful way to others. As well as then limiting the access of anyone who does not agree to them."
You wrote a perfectly workable definition of self-esteem and self-respect. Yes!
You, me, and too many good humans were "broken to serve others", but here we are still standing, building connections with each other, learning, growing, living, and showing kindness to ourselves.
How powerful! How human! How beautiful!
"the fundamental right of human beings to notice their limitations, boundaries, resources, and needs. And to communicate them in a respectful way to others. As well as then limiting the access of anyone who does not agree to them."
You wrote a perfectly workable definition of self-esteem and self-respect. Yes!
You, me, and too many good humans were "broken to serve others", but here we are still standing, building connections with each other, learning, growing, living, and showing kindness to ourselves.
How powerful! How human! How beautiful!
#94
General Discussion / Re: Lonely at Christmas
Last post by GettingThere - December 24, 2025, 03:38:54 AMThanks so much Big Blue. It helps to know I'm not alone. I hope you have the best holiday you can and I'm so glad therapy is an anchor for you and that you'll be able to eat the food you enjoy and spend time with your dog <3
#95
General Discussion / Re: Lonely at Christmas
Last post by TheBigBlue - December 24, 2025, 02:25:43 AMHi GettingThere, You're not alone in this. This will be only my second Christmas in 57 years that I won't spend with my family, and even knowing it's safer this way, it still carries weight.
I'm grateful I'll have a CBT session tomorrow morning (24th) that feels like a real anchor for me. After that it'll be simple, gentle things: my service dog, movies, the dog park, letting myself eat what I actually feel like for a few days, and not asking more of myself than I can give. Then back to therapy on Monday.
I don't have advice, just solidarity. It's okay to be grateful and sad at the same time. This season can be hard even when we've made the right choices for ourselves. 💛
I'm grateful I'll have a CBT session tomorrow morning (24th) that feels like a real anchor for me. After that it'll be simple, gentle things: my service dog, movies, the dog park, letting myself eat what I actually feel like for a few days, and not asking more of myself than I can give. Then back to therapy on Monday.
I don't have advice, just solidarity. It's okay to be grateful and sad at the same time. This season can be hard even when we've made the right choices for ourselves. 💛
#96
Inner Child Work / Re: Learning to write
Last post by Saluki - December 23, 2025, 11:38:21 PMThank you for reminding me! My son called himself stupid the other day and I said to him, hey, you're not allowed to call yourself stupid because you're not stupid and he said well in that case, you're not allowed to call yourself stupid either, because you're not stupid. Bless him - I need these reminders!
#97
General Discussion / Re: Writing about the trauma: ...
Last post by Saluki - December 23, 2025, 11:35:13 PMThank you everyone for your thoughtful replies.
I'm emotionally exhausted right now and was planning to reply to everyone but my brain seems to be telling me I need to do that another day! So thank you all, you are all very much appreciated
I'm emotionally exhausted right now and was planning to reply to everyone but my brain seems to be telling me I need to do that another day! So thank you all, you are all very much appreciated
#98
Recovery Journals / Re: Allie's Archives: a recov...
Last post by Chart - December 23, 2025, 10:03:55 PMHappy to hear it Alliematt!
#99
Frustrated? Set Backs? / Re: For those struggling with ...
Last post by Chart - December 23, 2025, 10:02:28 PMQuote from: Blueberry on December 22, 2025, 09:33:13 PMI am also bumping this thread for anybody having trouble round Christmas/ New Year's.Great idea to bump this thread BB! But I had a weird disorientation when I read my own post you quoted. I suddenly didn't know what year it was. A kinda time-warp.
I think I'm being a lousy friend irl atm so it's no wonder no one is reaching out.
I've discussed with a few other people setting up a Holiday open zoom meeting. I love the idea, but am actually kinda scared to take on the project. I just don't trust myself one week to the next. And the idea in itself is complicated...
[sigh]
#100
Recovery Journals / Re: The tipping point…
Last post by Chart - December 23, 2025, 09:54:12 PMQuote from: Desert Flower on December 22, 2025, 07:15:22 PM(Sorry if this reply was a bit jumbled up due to the state I'm in.)