Lived Experience Forum

[Fracturedlight]

@cutiepiekitty same!!! it makes me feel less alone when I know people are so similar!!! Thank you😊

[Teej]

@Fracturedlight  I think it takes time to take the first steps. For years I couldn’t hear good things about myself. It’s taken lots of little steps to begin to accept it. It’s only this year that I identified the first thing I thought I was ok at. 

For me I began listening to people who tell me the things I’m good at. When that happened over and over I started to believe some of it and become a little more gentle on myself even though my psych would say I’m still way too hard on myself. Just thought I’d share my experiences. Others may have different ones. 

[Former-Member]

@nashy 

I find the one with ‘would you say that to your friend’ extremely difficult, because I wouldn’t, as I like my friend, I don’t have that relationship with myself.

ive only recently started looking at photos of my daughter when she was the age when I started being abused, and remembered how young, innocent she was and how she needed love and protection. It will be a long process but I think I will be able to relate to my daughter better than to myself. I was too young when I learnt to hate myself.

[nashy]

Thank you all, this has been a super connected discussion. I am learning a lot from you all. Our final question for the night 🙂 ...

Having a lived experience of mental health challenges definitely can make for immensely emotionally intelligent and resilient human beings. The journey is not always easy to navigate, and as a result it is easy to lose sight of our strengths.

Reflect on one strength you possess as a take away for your self-esteem.
What's a quality or achievement you are proud of within yourself?

💕

[Fracturedlight]

@Teej I know. Thank you...im forever looking for the quick fix rather than focusing on what I actually achieve by getting through each day hopefully the good things will start to make their way in soon

[cutiepiekitty]

@Fracturedlight I always thought it was just me. You never hear of such things. At least I never did until I found this place. This is the first place I have felt I could be me and be really honest

This is really a great place. I don't have to pretend everything is OK and that I get what life is all about and that I know what a "normal" life outside my head is really like

[Former-Member]

You do deserve to be happy @BlueBay 

🧡

[Shaz51]

@nashy 

This experience has made me determined to keep on keeping on , one day at a time , looking forward

[Former-Member]

I’m still alive @nashy 

[Fracturedlight]

@cutiepiekitty Yes I'm finding the more time I spend on here the more I'm understood. It's a bit heart warming!!! I just wish people in everyday life could be educated and less judgemental