What 3 things have you done for yourself today?

[Depression = 72% of members]

I am reading a book from Amazon on my Kindle called "Borderline Personality Disorder- Regaining Sanity-Recover your life, feel genuine happiness and avoid depression after dating someone with BPD"... .by Jason Reynolds. It is pretty good. Talks about our childhood wounds and how to cope with having gotten out of these types of relationships. One thing it said was to stop the negative talk we probably have had for a long time. To try to do 3 things a day that we can feel good about-even if it's just getting yourself to work or making it through the day in the beginning. So, it's not even noon and so far I have gone to my place of work early and hung some new photos I had put on canvas to sell, got on the elliptical for 30 minutes (haven't done that since last summer) and went to the coliseum to buy tickets to see Culture Club, which I am very excited to see since I haven't seen them since the 80's! When all this began, I couldn't even watch tv! How bad is that? I am able to do that, but they warn not to do too much of it and to get out and enjoy life. So, what 3 things are you doing for yourself today?

[Herodias]

I am reading a book from Amazon on my Kindle called "Borderline Personality Disorder- Regaining Sanity-Recover your life, feel genuine happiness and avoid depression after dating someone with BPD"... .by Jason Reynolds. It is pretty good. Talks about our childhood wounds and how to cope with having gotten out of these types of relationships. One thing it said was to stop the negative talk we probably have had for a long time. To try to do 3 things a day that we can feel good about-even if it's just getting yourself to work or making it through the day in the beginning. So, it's not even noon and so far I have gone to my place of work early and hung some new photos I had put on canvas to sell, got on the elliptical for 30 minutes (haven't done that since last summer) and went to the coliseum to buy tickets to see Culture Club, which I am very excited to see since I haven't seen them since the 80's! When all this began, I couldn't even watch tv! How bad is that? I am able to do that, but they warn not to do too much of it and to get out and enjoy life. So, what 3 things are you doing for yourself today?

[C.Stein]

I only need to do one thing.  Motivate myself to go get some work done and find a way to get out of this pit of depression that has left me with a complete lack of motivation or drive to do anything other than exist.

I guess that is two things. 

[Lifewriter16]

I've done some more planning for the novel I've been wanting to write for well over a decade (and it feels GOOD!), been to my French class and done some reading about parental over-control.

Lifewriter x

[thrownforaloop]

I am reading a book from Amazon on my Kindle called "Borderline Personality Disorder- Regaining Sanity-Recover your life, feel genuine happiness and avoid depression after dating someone with BPD"... .by Jason Reynolds. It is pretty good.

Awesome to have a new book to put on the list to read! Also, one thing that I did today, which really brightened my mood was call a debt collector. Before our separation, my ex had taken control of our credit cards and stopped paying for the last several months. Today I finally faced my fear and reached out, trying to come up with a possible settlement for a few weeks from now. I'm not sure how it'll work out exactly, but sure feels like a weight off my shoulders already! 

[coping86]

I signed up for online therapy, it cost 100 bucks a month but I really need it. It's so hard to find a cheap therapist in person.

I am going to see a movie later with my kid. Even if I feel down I need to make every day with him special.

Hmmm, a third thing, I don't know. That's about it.

[freemanstrut]

Worked out, got STD tested, made medical appointments, visited family.  Bar trivia tonight.  Life is good.

[DazedD23]

Got charmed up!

Went back to no contact and deleted txts and her number!

Went shopping and had my first proper meal in 4 days in the cafe!

Went to the GP to collect my anti deps!

Spoke to the landlady about my flat!

Did the 4 day pile of washing up and tidied the kitchen!

Listened to some tunes and smoked a jibba!

[Sunfl0wer]

Enjoyed my lunch

Began a journal

Did some networking well!

[Herodias]

You have to admit, this is an odd list! Anyone else might think some of these are strange things to have to do to get better! I can relate to the just making it through the day, getting std tested, talking to a lawyer, therapy, meds, existing, listening to music, beginning a journal, talked to debt collector (that was actually funny-he asked if my ex has "lifestyle issues", -to say the least!), we all should write a book, no contact, no contact, delete, delete, delete! I am proud of you all for taking steps to take care of yourselves... .We can do it! We have to do it! Life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured! Today is a good day- we do not have to deal with abuse and that my friends is a great day! If we can get ourselves out there we will eventually find ourselves and our way... .I know, I obviously have good and bad days... .we all do.  I just want to be done with the pain and torture. I guess we have to work at making it better before it comes naturally.

[JerryRG]

Great idea Herodias

Hmmm I have my son and he is wonderful

I'm learning how to grow up in AA

Finally turning my life around after the BPD relationship

Made amends to my exgf so my conscience is clear

Learning how to detach from her behaviours and love her as a child of God

Doing my step work and growing spiritually

Accepting life on life's terms

Happy, joyous and free

My life has never been better

I only see distant horizons when I look ahead, before AA I could only see, hopelessness, dispare and pain.

Living life in the moment, forgetting the painful past and not worrying about the future

Gratitude gratitude gratitude

Oh my life has turned around and I owe it all to God.

[WoundedBibi]

Slept a lot (which I need right now), watched a whodunnit, prepared some things for my upcoming holiday (which is making me very nervous as I am so unsure about what my body can do or stand right now and how traveling will make me feel).

Tomorrow I will call the airport and arrange for one of those caddies to drive me to the gate (I feel embarrassed already to have to be driven around at my age because I can't walk to the gate, this illness sucks) and the airline to discuss bringing one crutch with me on board. The rest of the plans for tomorrow are not for me and scary and by the time I get home I will be exhausted.

Thursday I will arrange a passport for my medication so customs in Italy don't think I'm some kind of pusher, order a suitcase as I can't carry my backpack this holiday and see my T for the first time in months as I feel able to go see her in real life now instead of just talking over the phone (and tell her I feel invalidated by her).

Friday I will stay in bed as much as possible as 2 days of walking to places (even if it is small distances) will probably have left me feeling completely knackered, and hopefully receive the ordered suitcase (and a nice dvd I want, a new phone for my landline as the one I have has died, an extra charger for my iPad and a yoga mat).

[freemanstrut]

@Herodias - I just stopped back in here to say what a great idea it was to share this post.  It's so easy to get trapped in your thoughts and the what-if's.

I encourage everyone to keep this post in mind when they are feeling conflicted.  Think about what you can do to improve your own situation and circumstances.  What can bring you happiness or satisfaction.  Surely there are three things you can - even little ones - to make your day and outlook better.

[freemanstrut]

Weird.  It won't let me edit my last post.

I just wanted to add that one thing we have all done today is come here for support.  We're here confronting our problems and talking them out.  Sounds like a good free bingo square to me.