Another week done, and this is what I have to show for it!

I think of my successes on a daily basis...sometimes just getting up out of bed is a win! What have I done that I'm proud of myself for today? What can I express gratitude for?

Of course my mind first goes to the worries about all the things I hadn't achieved that day and the self-criticism kicks in. But I remind myself "go me" as I continue to get some stuff done (even if it wasn't what I may have originally planned!).

A cocktail of physical challenges (still coming to terms with using the word disability in reference to myself...maybe another post to follow...) thrown into the mix, adds to a delightful variety of cognitive functioning. As my clients will very well corroborate! How can one function and even tolerate going on when the mind and body is not functioning as I am willing it to!

Yet I will still count my daily wins. Silver linings, and dancing in the rain. All that jazz! It does actually work. I mean if our brain is our control centre and negative thoughts result in negative feelings why wouldn't positive, accurate thoughts counter that.

So I tell myself "you're so lazy, you've so much to do and yet you're just lying in bed!". Thank goodness that thought didn't linger longer! I've done soooooo much this week I 100 deserve a rest, because lets face it, I'll be back on it over the weekend!!

I've not completed a lot of the many tasks I've started but I've chipped away at many of them! I also ask myself : "Who have I helped today and how?". I get great satisfaction from my job which allows for me to be able to always have something to be grateful for most days.

This week I'm proud of all the social interactions I've had. I've caught up face-to-face, telephone, video and messaging. Socially MAXED OUT now. I'mterrible with keeping in contact with people and running a business takes all the energy invested for using technology and social interactions! So what did I do about it; I made time to connect with people. In true CBT style I recognised the importance of me connecting with family, friends and colleagues. I planned this about 3 weeks ago, and although there are still some people I want to connect with, I'm proud of the ones I have so far. As draining as I've found it, I've also enjoyed it and recognised how much they enjoyed connecting with me too (from the feedback from them!)!

What a thing to be proud of, taking care of ones mental health. It is a precious thing to remain in control of our mental health; become the optimum version of ourselves. We are fluid beings who are constantly changing and therefore our mental health must be fluid too.

Me having an awareness of things that bring me a regular sense of achievement, closeness and enjoyment helps me to keep balanced with my mental health; staying in control of what I have the power to control. Heck hormonal changes on a monthly basis is enough, without the addition of life stressors.

So many things out of my control and the tolerance of sitting with that sense of uncertainty... Some days are better than others. Some weeks are better than others.

Still I am proud, because still I go on...as sleep deprivation is still a real thing y'know!

Just keep swimming!