Anya: We should drop a piano on her. It always works for that creepy cartoon rabbit when he's running from that nice man with the speech impediment. Giles: Yes, or perhaps we could paint a convincing fake tunnel on the side of a mountain.

'Touched'


Spike's Bitches 48: I Say, We Go Out There, and Kick a Little Demon Ass.  

[NAFDA] Spike-centric discussion. Lusty, lewd (only occasionally crude), risqué (and frisqué), bawdy (Oh, lawdy!), flirty ('cuz we're purty), raunchy talk inside. Caveat lector.


Zenkitty - Oct 19, 2016 7:06:13 am PDT #27075 of 30002
Every now and then, I think I might actually be a little odd.

Things that help me: Small steps. Focus on the task at hand. Set a timer. Take breaks. Take a short walk if it's nice outside. Prioritize. Pick the perfect music to pump you up (Hamilton) or calm you (Explosions in the Sky), as needed. Show yourself empathy out loud.

Those things help me also. As well as reminding myself, out loud, often, that things are actually okay and it's gonna be fine and I can handle it.

I have been having to "breathe through" some awful emotions the last two weeks. My job performance has suffered, my personal life even more so. If this is my new normal, like you say, Steph - I gotta figure out how to live with it.


EpicTangent - Oct 19, 2016 7:06:44 am PDT #27076 of 30002
Why isn't everyone pelting me with JOY, dammit? - Zenkitty

I have nothing useful to add to what the others said, but I'm pulling for you, Steph.

eta And for you, Zen.


Steph L. - Oct 19, 2016 7:11:20 am PDT #27077 of 30002
I look more rad than Lutheranism

As well as reminding myself, out loud, often, that things are actually okay and it's gonna be fine and I can handle it.

I don't, actually, believe things are going to be fine. I didn't say that out loud until last night. But I don't. (And, obviously, I'm entirely unable to handle it.)


Zenkitty - Oct 19, 2016 7:13:29 am PDT #27078 of 30002
Every now and then, I think I might actually be a little odd.

Yeah, I hear you. I don't either. That's why I have to keep saying it. It's what I would say to a friend. You know, like you.


sumi - Oct 19, 2016 7:13:49 am PDT #27079 of 30002
Art Crawl!!!

Steph - I am so glad you checked in. Depression is a huge liar.

I know you will get through this because I've seen you get through so much already.


sj - Oct 19, 2016 7:16:49 am PDT #27080 of 30002
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."

Can you pick one thing you can handle and block everything else out until you can see your therapist? That sometimes help me. I sometimes literally say, "fuck it" out loud to everything else. This might not be the healthiest idea, but sometimes it's what gets you through.


sumi - Oct 19, 2016 7:23:02 am PDT #27081 of 30002
Art Crawl!!!

If you can't pick one thing - grab the thing closest to hand (thing/task whatever) - do that. Take a breath - grab the next thing.


smonster - Oct 19, 2016 7:23:19 am PDT #27082 of 30002
We won’t stop until everyone is gay.

Another thing that helps me, via Tara Brach. Lay one hand on your heart and say out loud, "I'm sorry this is so hard, sweetheart," or whatever variant makes sense to you. Cheesy as fuck, yes, but compassionate touch helps even if it's your own.

As always, feel free to use what works for you and tell me to shove the rest where the sun don't shine.

What would you do today if you were puking so hard you couldn't stand up? Would you still *have to* work?


Dana - Oct 19, 2016 7:25:09 am PDT #27083 of 30002
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.

Steph, I apologize if this is pushy or not helpful, but it sounds like you may also need meds adjusted. I forget if you're on an AD, but when I feel like everything is completely hopeless and there's nothing I can do, it's usually a sign that something needs to be fixed.


Volans - Oct 19, 2016 7:36:48 am PDT #27084 of 30002
move out and draw fire

Also, sometimes things aren't fine, but you can get through them.