I’m so glad to hear that!
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That is great news
Nothing worse than a child suffering in my opinion
Hopefully some balance is found for them
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I’m very happy to see that. Anorexia is an absolutely diabolical illness and one that probably isn’t talked about enough.
Hard not to think of Karen Carpenter… one of the truly saddest stories.
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Absolutely horrific. Lack of calorie intake meant they couldn’t be reasoned with because cognitive ability was compromised. Child genuinely thought suicide was best option. So difficult to break the cycle. They used SSRIs to calm anxiety and it’s helped with increasing calories. But the child still calorie counts and wants to exercise a lot.
Great news with progress made but damn this thing is a lifetime illness.
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Oh that is heartbreaking.
All the best to ensure she continues to recover.
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Land tax , vacant tax and sheer passing of time has forced the sale of my grandparents old home. I more or less grew up there, “spiritually” that place is unquestionably my home, despite the practicalities and compromises inherent to life resulting in me living in Melbourne. They’ve been dead for 20+ years but we managed to hold on to it and my kids have been able to use it as well. So I really can’t complain in any way. It’s been a whirlwind of activity, cleaning, moving stuff out, finding needy homes for things like blacksmith forges, tools, fridges, reminiscing, ruefully finding old objects and conjuring up memories laced with sadness etc over the last four weeks. I’m completely cooked. But I closed the back door for the last time ever (most probably) four hours ago, and the knowledge that come 2pm tomorrow - after it being built for my grandparents and 88 years in the family, and all of my 50ish - I no longer have any right to enter is like a physical sense of grief. Which is absurd in any rational way. But that place is a part of who I am, how I got here, of the standards I must set and meet , and my refuge to re set and go again. And just straight up the happiest place of my life. And I’ve a nagging notion that I may have put off some aspect of grieving their deaths two decades ago because I could still ‘visit’ them every time I stayed. That’s not going to help matters. Nor is the typically irrational - and therefore should be easily dismissed - idea that I somehow let them down by never getting to a position of being able to buy the place. I can work through that, I’ve raised three kids and it was never quite in their best interests to mortgage their futures on my whims. Or a dream.
We still have a couple of blocks - family owned since 1914 - and if they don’t sell I might buy one and do something with it. But now I need to work through the mental gymnastics of whether a complete severance is the better option. Will I forever view the old place with regret and never actually live for the now? And I’m fighting the urge not to drive back up there (a few hours) and just walk around it’s emptiness again and look for answers that have never emerged over the last two decades. Bizarre times allround.
It’ll be fine. Sooner or later. Eventually. But look after yourselves, all. We’re never quite sure when an unlooked-for angle will knock us around a bit. And the simple truth is that we cannot be everything we expect, without splitting ourselves asunder. Which is a messy outcome. I went alone today, and I took the motorcycle. Both calculated decisions to accomplish a private farewell - I just needed no one there for an hour or two - , and a head clearing trip home to remind that there are many places still to go, unlimited things remain to be seen and pondered. I’ve just lost one of my backstops, that’s all.
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Ha!
I’ve actually got some Melody Gardot and similar playing as we type. “Once I was loved” seems apt for how I’ve felt over recent weeks.
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Rationally you could close your eyes and pretty much recreate the whole building and everything in it. Emotionally you don’t want to let it go even though you have the most important bits in your heart.
I know that feeling all too well.
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High anxiety and catastrophiser rant…
Moving companies for a fresh start as ongoing (Win)
But then the acting boss comes in and says they are sending my file to the new company (with my written warning) and they could inform them of what for.
I explained I wanted a fresh start. They said they are following protocols. Now I’m just scared that I am not going to get it (fresh start).
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Man you work for some real jerks. Is it even legal for them to send your personal info to somebody else?
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Do you have a union? I agree with Hambo, I don’t know if that is legal?
Reckon there are a few legal firms who would love to get into this.
Maybe a word to this Acting Boss Jerk that you will take legal action will slow them down.
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There is a Federal Privacy Act and a Victorian Act.
Check out your rights and complaints with the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner on its website
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Last three days I’ve switched off the phone at 8.30 and gone to bed early - thought I’d share as a mental health tip that’s working for me.
Slept like a baby and my mental health diary is reading like a fairy tale. 
it continues.
Hope everyone is starting 2025 on a better footing no matter what your challenges in life are at the moment.
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Highly recommend for those who may need some support with letting go of things.
Whilst it’s not a silver bullet and the author isn’t a psychologist or professional in this field, he does offer strategies that worked for him and spoke about his own experiences and support from a therapist.
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I’ve heard good things about this.
Hugh does great work. His GEM concept is wonderful.
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Love it. I even bought a 30day journal to fill in. If I notice a change, I’ll buy a 3month one.
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Does anyone have any hints on coping with panic attacks?
Breathing exercises, distractions, hypnosis, medication. Tried them all but still struggling.
I believe it has all stemmed from excessive stress which has found a “weak spot in the dam wall” and has manifested itself in an irrational fear.
Edit: this is very hard for me to say as an “old school” type of person who had always sucked it up and got on with things
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