Winter solstice

[AuntGlow]

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I am really glad to know you are able to access nurturance, empathy, and protection/guidance here. 🥰 @Dimity 

Regarding the person who models nurturance in your life - what does that look like exactly?

I understand that feeling of being defective and how our internalised beliefs can truly take the reigns at times... it's so tough. 

But you're putting yourself out there and really trying. I am genuinely so proud of you. 

Self-compassion is such a wonderful antidote to our inner critic. CCI shares great evidence-based content! I am glad you have found them. 

I would also like to share Dr. Kristin Neff's work - she has audios and activities you can follow for cultivating self-compassion: https://self-compassion.org/self-compassion-practices/

Let me know how you go! 💛

[Dimity]

Thankyou @AuntGlow I'd missed your post.

The person modelling nurturance is quiet and undemonstrative but cares deeply for his partner, children and grandchildren and makes time for them all. He cooks for them and regularly cares for his grandson. He's generous to his family. He's been kind and supportive to me including during my dark days of illness and hospitalisation. Since my last illness he's checked in with me daily. But I see him and his family only a couple of times a year.

Thanks for the link to Dr Kristin Neff's materials. It would be good to try some self compassion practice. I'm inching towards better routines and will try to incorporate this. I'll print some of the CCI materials next time I'm at the library. 

I'm working on your suggested intention of "noticing" . I haven't posted on that thread as it's veered off in another direction.

[NatureLover]

I'm glad you have this person in your life, @Dimity 🙂

[Dimity]

And I have you @NatureLover, and other forumites. Thankyou. 

[NatureLover]

Thank you back, @Dimity ! ❤

[AuntGlow]

That's okay, lovely! @Dimity 

How are you feeling today? 

This person sounds like a very nurturing figure, and I am glad he is checking in on you. 💖

Wonderful. And no rush, okay? I know you are dealing with a lot of things right now, so small/incremental changes will be helpful here. 

Oh, yay! That's amazing. What have you noticed? 

And please do post in there, if you can - I will be checking in with everyone's progress this week, so we will come back to it. ✨

[Dimity]

@AuntGlow very anxious at times. I'm mostly persevering. I'll see where the intentions thread is at.

[AuntGlow]

Here with you @Dimity 💛

[Dimity]

@AuntGlow wrote in another thread

I completely understand this @Dimity. I haven't been through this process of EMDR before, but I can hear that the preparation can feel quite distressing...  have you been able to check-in with your therapist at all? So that you can titrate and slowly integrate this process into your care plan? 

Because you're right, acknowledging your schemas is hard. And I think it's okay to let them know that this feels too much for your nervous system to hold alone. 

How is this all sitting with you at the moment? 

@AuntGlow it seems too much for me at present. But I don't see the psychologist again for a few weeks so there's no rush. My psychiatrist agrees attempting EMDR might make things worse. Meanwhile  I'm taking one day at a time.

[AuntGlow]

Taking it one day at a time is more than enough @Dimity. What are you doing for yourself today? ☀️🌱