Oooooo I love that distinction - absolutely taking stock of that....re floating, it's an amazing way to truly be in the silence and anti gravity effect will do wonders for your body, and the total darkness will make you reach a serious meditauce state
That sounds really restoring. I feel like anything that gives a sense of connection to deep time is incredibly helpful for chronic pain (and a general sense of humility and wonder, I guess).
I have a couple close ppl like my husband with no chronic pain and he'll do it for 3 hours. Another friend who is stressed also doing it- I think it's great for pain but yes def for anyone who wants to strengthen that but who don't necessarily meditate
Indeed. And if you’re making decisions that challenge recovery, as you put it, then I’m sure it’s for a good reason and best of luck and I hope it works out well for you.
This is a great list of suggestions! I guess I’d add the simple rule I’ve tried to follow with my own chronic illness—if there are parts of your life that feel like healing and parts that feel like sickness, try to all extent possible to maximize time spent in the former.
What do you find floating/sensory deprivation to be most helpful with? I’ve never tried it myself but it sounds intriguing.
Wow so many good ideas here!! This has pushed me a little further towards braving sensory deprivation. I've had fascia manipulation recommended to me before but didn't follow up - do you think it could work with something like IBS / gut muscle tightness?
Looking up Kristen Neff now, as strong negative emotions have been coming up regularly since my Gestalt therapy kicked up a gear, and self-compassion is crucial - it's become my primary form of meditation. Interestingly, it doesn't always *feel* like it's working on the inside, but then I'll see increased self-confidence in my behaviour and realise it is, slowly but surely.
'That really difficult times are not the time for therapy. They are not the time to distract with abstract things like fixing childhood trauma, existing toxicity, or questioning motivations.' Very true. When times are really rough all you can do is hang on. You might become aware of something that needs looking at, but the actual looking comes later.
Your suspicion of 'difficult new ideas of self-analysis' resonates too. My safe place has always been my intellect, and I realise I'm very often trying to impress my therapist with how much I know about her field and how good I am at perceiving things within myself, analysing them and drawing connections. Never works; all she ever does is tell me to stop thinking so much, and let myself feel instead. The most threatening thing of all - but the only ultimate source of liberation.
'I’ve made some decisions that are going to challenge my precarious and incomplete recovery' - this is so brave. You're doing what feels right and taking risks, and I admire that so much.
For Kristen get that self compassion book on audio. She'll teach you a couple meditations and then that's it, it will infuse into your zeitgeist's over time. You can't push that one as you know, takes years, but she is all you need as a foundation I think.
Thank you for this deep comment. I think float would def help. You can book and just get out if you want. I would go about 60-90 mins but I have friends that swear by two hours or 3 (that's a bit insane and more trippy). I think you will adjust very well to an hour. Most places allow you to control some modicum of light and sound like glow in the light stars or something so you can build toward darkness. Both the FLOATing part and darkness are good and separate benefits.
Thanks so much for the great advice. You've convinced me to try flotation, and I'm going to get the Kristen audiobook too. As for therapy, lots of luck involved. I've spoken to a good few people before who've helped me temporarily, but no-one who went anywhere near as deep as my current person goes. It's been a year and I still feel like I'm learning to trust her - and of course if you don't trust them they're never going to do you any good. I quite often wonder if I made the right choice with her as the process is so long and difficult (I picked her pretty much on instinct), but ultimately I can see the gradual good she's doing me. But it really is a case of 'whatever works for you' isn't it - we're all different - you're doing a ton of practices I'm not doing, so!
Neurofeedback and getting a therapist that you like who sets goals and holds you accountable helped me a lot. Also, you should not be going to the therapist infinitely. They should identify whatever bad habits you are doing and help you solve them. I really recommend avoiding therapists that constantly say, "How did that make you feel?" Super annoying.
Thank you, Love! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your healing journey!
Also funny enough, our anniversary is in March;) I am not sure why my FB friends concluded it was on the day of the post;) I just wanted to share a poem I wrote… and it just happened to be about our life, our love… may be I should debunk their theory:)
Yes I know what you mean - I could compile a huge list. We could collab! Share notes! This was sort of a mini primer of just tough moments for the nervous system of any kind. Sending love to ya.
Oooooo I love that distinction - absolutely taking stock of that....re floating, it's an amazing way to truly be in the silence and anti gravity effect will do wonders for your body, and the total darkness will make you reach a serious meditauce state
That sounds really restoring. I feel like anything that gives a sense of connection to deep time is incredibly helpful for chronic pain (and a general sense of humility and wonder, I guess).
I have a couple close ppl like my husband with no chronic pain and he'll do it for 3 hours. Another friend who is stressed also doing it- I think it's great for pain but yes def for anyone who wants to strengthen that but who don't necessarily meditate
Indeed. And if you’re making decisions that challenge recovery, as you put it, then I’m sure it’s for a good reason and best of luck and I hope it works out well for you.
This is a great list of suggestions! I guess I’d add the simple rule I’ve tried to follow with my own chronic illness—if there are parts of your life that feel like healing and parts that feel like sickness, try to all extent possible to maximize time spent in the former.
What do you find floating/sensory deprivation to be most helpful with? I’ve never tried it myself but it sounds intriguing.
Even more special then - just out of love
Thanks for the shout out, and it's mutual :)
Wow so many good ideas here!! This has pushed me a little further towards braving sensory deprivation. I've had fascia manipulation recommended to me before but didn't follow up - do you think it could work with something like IBS / gut muscle tightness?
Looking up Kristen Neff now, as strong negative emotions have been coming up regularly since my Gestalt therapy kicked up a gear, and self-compassion is crucial - it's become my primary form of meditation. Interestingly, it doesn't always *feel* like it's working on the inside, but then I'll see increased self-confidence in my behaviour and realise it is, slowly but surely.
'That really difficult times are not the time for therapy. They are not the time to distract with abstract things like fixing childhood trauma, existing toxicity, or questioning motivations.' Very true. When times are really rough all you can do is hang on. You might become aware of something that needs looking at, but the actual looking comes later.
Your suspicion of 'difficult new ideas of self-analysis' resonates too. My safe place has always been my intellect, and I realise I'm very often trying to impress my therapist with how much I know about her field and how good I am at perceiving things within myself, analysing them and drawing connections. Never works; all she ever does is tell me to stop thinking so much, and let myself feel instead. The most threatening thing of all - but the only ultimate source of liberation.
'I’ve made some decisions that are going to challenge my precarious and incomplete recovery' - this is so brave. You're doing what feels right and taking risks, and I admire that so much.
For Kristen get that self compassion book on audio. She'll teach you a couple meditations and then that's it, it will infuse into your zeitgeist's over time. You can't push that one as you know, takes years, but she is all you need as a foundation I think.
Thank you for this deep comment. I think float would def help. You can book and just get out if you want. I would go about 60-90 mins but I have friends that swear by two hours or 3 (that's a bit insane and more trippy). I think you will adjust very well to an hour. Most places allow you to control some modicum of light and sound like glow in the light stars or something so you can build toward darkness. Both the FLOATing part and darkness are good and separate benefits.
Thanks so much for the great advice. You've convinced me to try flotation, and I'm going to get the Kristen audiobook too. As for therapy, lots of luck involved. I've spoken to a good few people before who've helped me temporarily, but no-one who went anywhere near as deep as my current person goes. It's been a year and I still feel like I'm learning to trust her - and of course if you don't trust them they're never going to do you any good. I quite often wonder if I made the right choice with her as the process is so long and difficult (I picked her pretty much on instinct), but ultimately I can see the gradual good she's doing me. But it really is a case of 'whatever works for you' isn't it - we're all different - you're doing a ton of practices I'm not doing, so!
I'm verry curious to hear more when you are ready. How you found her, how you learning to trust her.
I have so much to say a comment might not do it justice - I may write a post about it soon!
I was hoping for that ;)
At least u are still doing therapy. I quit. Just became incompatible. But I yearn for it too.
Great post! I've done a lot of these
thats awesome. Anything else you love that I missed?
I can't remember if you put exercise in there?
Neurofeedback and getting a therapist that you like who sets goals and holds you accountable helped me a lot. Also, you should not be going to the therapist infinitely. They should identify whatever bad habits you are doing and help you solve them. I really recommend avoiding therapists that constantly say, "How did that make you feel?" Super annoying.
So much goodness in this post. Feeling love and deep gratitude for you. ❤️
Thanks Nina. Happy that it hits ;) you too have so much wisdom on this. And I loved your anniversary poetry! Reminded me of the old days
Thank you, Love! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your healing journey!
Also funny enough, our anniversary is in March;) I am not sure why my FB friends concluded it was on the day of the post;) I just wanted to share a poem I wrote… and it just happened to be about our life, our love… may be I should debunk their theory:)
Even more special - just out of love
Yes I know what you mean - I could compile a huge list. We could collab! Share notes! This was sort of a mini primer of just tough moments for the nervous system of any kind. Sending love to ya.