Are you doing anything to soothe yourself? This is one of the most important things IMHO.
I've found the ideas in this book wonderful in helping me self-soothe; they are quick and easy to do and can also become part of one's daily routine: https://www.amazon.com/101-Ways-Fin...hqVZ9OWv5ty7GXFFva71pJ4&qid=1728834014&sr=8-1Do you have recommendations on how to soothe yourself?
Thank you SO much!I've found the ideas in this book wonderful in helping me self-soothe; they are quick and easy to do and can also become part of one's daily routine: https://www.amazon.com/101-Ways-Fin...hqVZ9OWv5ty7GXFFva71pJ4&qid=1728834014&sr=8-1
And see @HealingMe's posting on this thread re self-soothing https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/threads/i-think-i-have-protracted-withdrawal-tms-could-it-be.28894/#post-151828 (I think I have protracted withdrawal TMS, could it be?)
Do you have recommendations on how to soothe yourself? I read that part of your comment and was a little lost myself- like, do I do that? How do I do that? Maybe there is a thread here I can search.
Thank you for this. And I looked at your post above - the one @BloodMoon linked- and I have been going through Dan’s YT videos. I am watching his Fast Start series. I think that’s part of my problem- knowing what I love to do. I have lost myself along the way in the throes of kids and my anxiety. I have spent years reading books on how to heal instead of just doing. This is not something I have an answer to right now but I know I have to keep digging deep for it- thank you for that reminder.I had a breakthrough in my symptoms when I picked up a book (I like to read fantasy) that I was meaning to read for months and got completely lost in it. Soothing didn't really click in me until I picked up reading again after months of stress and worry about my pain. It was wild noticing my symptoms disappear in real time the more I got lost in reading.
The more I engaged in the things I loved again the more I noticed a shift in my mood, my anxiety and my depression. I could best describe it as a snowball rolling down a hill and gaining more momentum.
Some people like to garden or meditate or take long walks. Just do whatever you like to do that brings you joy and takes your mind off of worrying about your symptoms. Discover a new hobby. Watch funny videos or your favorite movies.
The more I do the work the higher my anxiety is becoming and my symptoms are increasing. I don't know what I'm getting wrong
Thank you - that book looks beautiful!Hi again, @Clover.
Just wanted to say that I also use this book to self-soothe (I got mine on Kindle from amazon uk, but if you're in the US, it looked like on amazon US website you can only get it in hardback which is dearer). The book contains a series of beautiful, calming photographs to look at an immerse yourself in: https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Book-...ZTro8E2_mKXK5Hd0Te6Woo&qid=1732749590&sr=8-76
P.S. Something else I do is look at photos of Japanese Zen gardens on the Internet which I find are really soothing and great to combine with some slow breathing. (I'm yet to find a good book of photos of these types of gardens, but hope to eventually find one that I like the look of.)Thank you - that book looks beautiful!
Oh that’s a good idea too.P.S. Something else I do is look at photos of Japanese Zen gardens on the Internet which I find are really soothing and great to combine with some slow breathing. (I'm yet to find a good book of photos of these types of gardens, but hope to eventually find one that I like the look of.)
Love it! You've inspired me to do this on my little morning walks. My walks are only in the streets of suburbia but people do have some really nice front gardens plus there are some beautiful street trees that I could take photos of.I like to take pictures with my phone of nature. I created my own Instagram account for those pictures - just as a place to collect my pictures. I post them and then have them in one place that I can go to and see them all - like easy access instead of scrolling around my phone. So I have quick access to calming nature pictures. This is me trying to use social media for good lol.
That sounds so great!!! Flowers, clouds, trees, bunny rabbit ….Love it! You've inspired me to do this on my little morning walks. My walks are only in the streets of suburbia but people do have some really nice front gardens plus there are some beautiful street trees that I could take photos of.
This is normal. You are not getting anything “wrong” you are doing everything right. Your brain is just kicking back.
Thank you for this. And I looked at your post above - the one @BloodMoon linked- and have lost myself along the way in the throes of kids and my anxiety. I have spent years reading books on how to heal instead of just doing. This is not something I have an answer to right now but I know I have to keep digging deep for it- thank you for that reminder.
Oh that’s a good idea too.
I like to take pictures with my phone of nature. I created my own Instagram account for those pictures - just as a place to collect my pictures. I post them and then have them in one place that I can go to and see them all - like easy access instead of scrolling around my phone. So I have quick access to calming nature pictures. This is me trying to use social media for good lol.
Thank you so much for that encouragementI definitely can relate to the feeling of losing yourself. I have faith you will rediscover yourself though.