Hi CherryBomb, the encouraging comments from people in this forum are nice to see.
MentalWealth is not about me as such, but rather a journey to build and invest at all levels for positive mental health.
Hence, I do applaud the ABC for initiating awareness on a larger scale. Maybe Mentalas is better suited to the name Mental Wealth… The term ‘mental as’ could be used affectionately, but it has stigmatising connotations for me given the way the term has been used colloquially for MI to date.
I see the term MI like the term IT, ie it seems to encompass a myriad of areas and of different levels of complexity. Also suspect for MI, the combination of symptoms are different for every individual because of each person’s unique makeup and life circumstances.
Anyway, in a nutshell ‘Enjoying the camouflage’ means for me, positive isolation (Headspace). Isolation in itself can be good and/or bad. For now, it is good to use it to feel safe and shut out ‘harm’/stress. My counsellor did correctly remind me to not use it to mull over things.
So it has been a journey to empty my ‘basket’ (another term in need of a ‘perception make-over’) and filling it with positive things.
Some egs that have helped me:
- To take the time for mindfulness. This sometimes translates to ‘mindlessness’ to shut out stress from triggers. It does take a bit of time and practice.
- Spend some playtime with young relatives – babies and young kids do not judge or have agendas, and making them laugh and be happy is therapy in itself.
- Animals have been good for me too. They seem to have a 6th sense sometimes.
- TV and radio can be helpful when not in contact with people. Hey, that’s how I came to be here – through ABC’s mental health week!
- Colours can be soothing. I’m no artist and the thought of having to decide what to do is stressful for me. So guess what, I found that kids colour by numbers are great. They’re simple and achievable and don’t have to think!
- Gentle classical music
- Lavender oil
It's only recently I have an understanding of the meaning of 'Headspace'. I've been fortunate to have that time and space to do things when ready to do so and at my own pace. So yes, dishes might not get done every night and on a really bad morning, it has helped to say "I will get up and wash 1 teaspoon." then actually make that effort to do it then and there, under my own volition and not because someone’s pressuring to get a move on.
That was a while ago, and ups and downs are there of course but I can look back and see progress. How much, it doesn’t matter. As my doctor had said, it’s taking baby steps – and that’s great – no pressure, yay!
