Goal of The Day-Challenging Your PTSD

[NIKI]

Trying to stay calm knowing visiters are coming tomorrow. Trying to remember I don't have to be the perfect host. I hope I can relax enough to have fun.

 

[EverOnly358]

@Britt.f7, I hate free time, too, it's always bad for me. Maybe just try to do any one little thing, it doesn't matter what. Deciding and starting is always the hardest part... so move through that stage as quickly as you can. The longer you take to decide and start, the harder it gets. (But I think you already know this. ;)) I'm cheering you on! :joyful:

@NIKI, I have the hardest time with that, too. It's so hard to stop trying to make everything perfect and sometimes impossible for me to relax when it's not. But I do think it's possible. I'm wishing you good luck, especially since when you succeed, you might be willing to tell me how that works, LOL! ;)

Now I'm going to force myself to close the laptop and go get some of my goals done. LOL! :cool:

 

[EverOnly358]

Goals for yesterday...

:cool: Stay calm and balanced - Check

:laugh: Make sure the final bit of Christmas shopping gets done and that more presents get wrapped - Check

:coffee: Put together the menu and grocery shopping list - Check

:D Make sure grocery shopping gets done - Check (I even went to two of the three stores myself (usually Bob shops off my list))

:rolleyes: Some cleaning - Check (did great, didn't obsess)

:joyful: Go out in the afternoon - Check

:O_o: Therapy appointment - Check

:wideeyed: Don't try to do too much, learn to be okay with getting done what gets done - Check (did really good with this)

:chicken: Hang out with the chickens (that's what we call our kids; my eldest daughter is coming home from college today!) - Check (I didn't get to hang out with them as much as I wanted. A came home while we were out and about, and then there was therapy and dinner out with Bob, grocery shopping and Christmas shopping, and the traffic was awful, so it took longer than I wanted. By time we got home and I got settled, it was almost 8:00pm. R's got the flu, so the kids and I cuddled up in my bedroom under blankets and watched most of a movie. At 9:30pm, I was really tired, so I gave my kids hugs and kisses and hustled them all out of my room. Bob wasn't even home yet, so I didn't get to say good night. I felt guilty about it for awhile (not spending more time with the kids doing holiday stuff and not waiting up for Bob) but then I felt proud that I was taking care of myself and putting my needs first. It was pretty awesome of me because it's something I almost never do. So, I'm calling this one successfully completed.)

Sorry to swear, but HOLY CRAP, I finished that whole long list. Look at me, I'm stretching my hand out in front of me, palm up, and then lifting it up and around and patting myself on the back. ;) I know this won't last and before you know it I'll be locked in my room unable to get out of bed, but I'm trying to enjoy the moment. :smug: Mania is weird.

Goals for today...

:cool: Stay calm and balanced (Holidays are a trigger for me, so I need to be aware and take good care of myself.)

:laugh: Make sure the rest of the presents get wrapped (Yikes, time is running out!)

:D Do holiday fun stuff with the kids

:coffee: Cooking and baking for tomorrow

:) Do something relaxing just for me

:hungry: Go out to one of our favorite restaurants for our special meal today (Officially it's for R's birthday, which was at the beginning of December, but he wanted to wait until A was home from college to actually go. I was a little worried we wouldn't be able to go because R wasn't feeling great yesterday, but he said he was feeling better and thought he would be fine to go today. I'm also excited about it, because it means I don't feel like I *have* to cook a huge meal today and another tomorrow. We'll have this big, special meal out today, then we'll have brunch on Christmas morning and appetizers and snacks in the afternoon. This isn't what we usually do, but everyone's on board with the switch up this year.)

:joyful: Open presents tonight (The kids each get one present to open up on Christmas Eve)

Yikes, that's a long list. Wish me luck. :tup:

 

[Britt.f7]

I went out today. I still had to squelch those feelings of wanting to crawl back into bed and sleep(even though I am not tired). I just want my brain to be quiet. I want the bad feelings to go away. That was my goal today. I've done fairly well keeping them at bay.

 

[EverOnly358]

My goal for today is to get back on track with my routines... goals, feelings, gratefulness and self-care checklist. I guess I was feeling like I didn't need them anymore (plus I was busy with the holidays), but I'm not sure it's a good idea to give them up just yet. Better to stay the course, LOL! ;)

And just to update things, somehow I did manage to do all that stuff on December 24th plus I ran into a really good friend who I haven't seen in ages at the restaurant. :joyful: The holidays were crazy busy and relaxing and wonderful (what a wacky combination). :D :confused:

 

[Britt.f7]

Mine was actually leaving the house when my son requested to go shopping. I almost said no, wait for your father, but I didn't. I took him. It was good for me to do. I was starting to feel down.

 

[EverOnly358]

@Britt.f7, great job! I do the same thing... I think maybe no... but then when I'm brave and say yes and just do it, I always feel so much better than if I had given in and stayed home. So I try to remember that the next time I have to decide, too. I'm so proud of you! :hug:

What are my goals for today? :cautious:

:coffee: I need to close the laptop and get something to eat and drink. :hungry:

Then I need to focus on resting and taking care of myself before I collapse in exhaustion. :hungover: The holidays have been great, but busy!

Anything else that gets done today is just bonus points. :cool:

Have a great day! :joyful:
EverOnly

 

[Britt.f7]

@EverOnly358 Thank you for the encouragement! I hope you were able to take care of your needs. It is important to do so.

My goal for the day was to read an inspirational page out of my Inspiration for Girlfriends book. I did. It is about finding daily joy. I know it exists. I've felt it before. I am working to feeling that again.

 

[EverOnly358]

Yesterday was great, and I did everything I needed to do. :cool:

Today... well, I needed to go out shopping and that got done, we just got home. :joyful: Other than that, there are a couple of family activities I want to do, but I'm trying to stay relaxed about it instead of being a crazy drill sergeant, LOL! :O_o:

Thanks @Britt.f7! I hope you're having a joy filled day. :D
EverOnly

 

[Britt.f7]

My goal is to not climb back into bed so soon after getting up. I am going to try and wait until my husband goes to work around 1, so that I can spend time with him. Can tell it will not be easy.

 

[EverOnly358]

:D Did good yesterday... got cookies rolled and baked with the girls and we finished our Monopoly game that was sitting out for a few days. I only melted down a little at the end... it was late by time we finished, past my bedtime. There's never a game of Monopoly in our house without someone crying, yesterday it was my turn, LOL! But it all worked out fine. :O_o:

My goals for today are to go to the gym, do some shopping and get ready for homeschool to start up again on Tuesday. :geek:

 

[Britt.f7]

Putting into motion eating better and exercising. That is challenging my depression too, among doing good for me. I have to make a conscious effort. It is okay to be good to myself.