Focusing On The Positives

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I just returned from about 3 months of being in-patient at a trauma unit. I learned a whole lot about living with CPTSD and DID (dissociative identity disorder), but I remain very stuck in my black and white thinking. I tried to return home over a month ago and I was not ready to make that transition so I went back. And it was worth it.

Now that I am back I started to fall into the "everything is going wrong and I am ruining everything and hurting everyone" mentality. But tonight I was just able to work collaboratively with my parts and realize some positives of the day. Granted it took me until 10 to get out of bed, and 3:30 to start trying to do anything, but since then I have reflected on the positives.

I used my plans and skills and was able to: help my son play a game on my computer (a first); ride in the car while listening to my son whine, threaten, and pout because we weren't going to let him bring his toys in the church function we were headed to; go to a church function where there were LOTS of people and noise; while there accept welcome back messages, well wishes, and even a few hugs; I actually laughed at the story my husband told the kids in the car on the way home; and I did Bedtime Math, listened to my son read, and read a story to him. All of those are positives. I am sure I could list at least 4 times that amount in negatives, but today I am choosing not to do that.

In all the negatives that we have to deal with it's easy to forget there are still positives, even little ones count. Anyone want to share a positive from their day today?

 

[sun seeker]

Good job focusing on the positive! Let's see... I'm feeling pretty low right now and trying not to go over the edge into a dark pit, so this is a good reminder. Today I went for a walk in the woods. Have been doing that for a few days now, and that is a great improvement because for the past month my anxiety has been so high I have hardly been going out at all.

Also, I've been actively researching how to get better. I'm on a real drive here.

I meditated. Okay, not for a very long time, but it's the first time in months.

Anyone else?

 

[AnnaLost]

I've been under a tremendous amount of stress this summer, dealing with too much work, toxic people and anniversaries of several deaths, including the one that sent my ptsd over the edge. But yesterday I decided to spend the day doing something I love. I'd forgotten how much. It was mentally and physically demanding, but I was outside, with good peeps, learning and laughing. The first day in months. I got home and was actually tired and slept four hours, uninterrupted!:eek:

Those were my positives. It's good to have those once in awhile for sure.

I'm glad you had such a successful day with your family. Those are really good too :-)

 

[jaccat]

I'm having a busy, stressful time at work but it's one of those times when everyone joins together to get the job done. That's a positive. And it's great when we can find fun while we're doing it.

On my way home the sun was setting and it was a beautiful evening, there were a pair of birds singing to each other in one street I walked down and huge clouds of gnats circling lazily under the trees. Peaceful and relaxing. Another positive.