I really love this way of thinking about boundaries! It can be so hard to put in boundaries, especially with friends or people you are close to, but thinking of it like this really puts a different perspective on it and I think will make it a lot easier. I’m going to try thinking of it like this going forward and see if it helps me. Thank you for this!!

For example, I know there are things you can clip on the side of a mug to know when the water is near the top. Do you use things like this, or other aids, or can you manage mostly without?

Julie, did you ever ask them straight out like you planned about mental capacity? Did this work out ok for you?

This binaural beats stuff looks really interesting.. I’m going to have to look into it. I was wondering if it was a similar concept to like tapping where you alternate sides as I’d heard if you can’t physically tap an alternative to the to reduce anxiety is listening to sounds through each ear alternatively so still using both sides, but it seems…[Read more]

Definitely! Music is a great place to escape to. I have all kinds of music I listen to depending on my mood, but I definitely have some that are for me relaxing or “safe”. For me, when I’m overwhelmed I tend to listen to relaxing classical music that I’m very familiar with as I know it will soothe me. My favourite for when I’m stressed and need to…[Read more]

I think this is a really good point about looking at the process not the end result. I often find it hard to start things because I feel like what I’m doing isn’t good enough or I won’t do a good though job or I’m not capable. I think it’s helpful as well to remember we learn and get better at things through our mistakes and so by doing it wrong…[Read more]

I tend to think of the breathing exercises not as having to do them exactly as “prescribed” in the programme but more as the point being mindful of your breathing and focusing on it in some way and being aware of it is beneficial, as it means you will not be breathing “badly”. I shouldn’t say badly, but by that I mean not hyperventilating if you…[Read more]

I just meant colouring books for grown ups, but I have seen the “adult” ones and I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that’s the one you have!! Very you lol.

I have the same problem with allergies so bath bombs would be no good for me either but there’s probably other ways you create sensory activities from other things that you might not be…[Read more]

My understanding of mental capacity (and this may not be correct as it’s purely from my own experience) is that they cannot decide you don’t have capacity without assessing you, and without informing you of the outcome (or if you wouldn’t have the capacity to understand then your guardian or carer), do if this hasn’t been done they have to treat…[Read more]

Access to work is the main benefit around employment. It’s partly around accommodations and equipment but they can also provide funding for PA/assistant for the time you are at work, so this would probably be what you would need to look at

You took this a lot better than I would have! I’ve actually also had a “wrong hole” experience but I don’t think I found it as funny!!

I agree with everything that has been said about how hard it is to set boundaries. I think you have rightly identified that we do want to care for others but one of the key things is whether people also care for us and also ask about us in return. If it’s always one way then maybe that’s a sign it isn’t such a healthy balance (I am also very bad…[Read more]

I use a memory of a real place as my safe space, so it’s not imagination as such but it’s still in my mind. I do also have photos of it though which I find helpful to look at to help recall it, and I also find holding objects helpful not so much as fidget like you are saying Chloe but for me if they have a texture or sense that helps me recall the…[Read more]

Hi Julie, this is a good idea. I’ve found Chapter 1 useful as overwhelm is a big issue for me atm but it can be hard to remember to put the exercises into practice at the right time. I think it’s important to practice then at a time when you are also feeling good so they are reinforced and find what works best for you as everyone is different. I…[Read more]

This is interesting, I had not heard of the difference between time/task and strength based assessments before. I have only been assessed by social work once on discharge from hospital and they didn’t use either of these approaches, just a kind of checklist and then a list of “standard” activities they have as their usual care package and fixed…[Read more]