Acceptance is hard work

[NightFury]

@tyme that feeling of getting things done and feeling accomplished is a good one. 

I've eaten and had a hot shower. The emotions have settled. Slowing things down. 

[tyme]

I don't want to harp on about this too much, but your breath is one thing you always have with you and the one thing that can slow things down. Focus on controlling your breath hun.

I find Smiling Mind teaches me how to do this, and I really had to persist  @NightFury 

Well done on making it through today. I want to acknowledge that opening up is not easy at all.

[NightFury]

@tyme I do use my breath, but I don't think I catch it early enough. I think...by the time I realise my chest feels like I can't breathe properly...it's already escalating.

I need to get better at that. I need to get better at recognising when my breath is dysregulated. 

Thank you. Opening up makes me feel really vulnerable and it's hard. It's a work in progress. 

[tyme]

I'm not sure if I've shared, but I make it a practice to work on controlling my breath everynight. I use the Smiling Mind app because I try to get a 30 day streak. But practicing every day, it means when you really need it, you will be well versed in it.

What I found is that I couldn't just 'whip out' a skill and expect to be good at it without practicing it first...

I hope this helps in understanding the importnace of doing it regularly. @NightFury 

Of course there's no pressure to do it if you don't want to. 

[NightFury]

@tyme thank you for sharing. We've spoken about Smiling Minds before and I downloaded the ap and have been using it to help calm when I wake in the middle of the night feeling scared, alone and panicky. 

No, I want to do it. I'm just terrible at consistency. 

[tyme]

I find the 'streak' helps. I'm a goal-focused person so I thrive on trying to beat my streak of days. I think my max has been 40 something days of continuous mindful breathing practice. After the 40 days, you can sense a HUGE change @NightFury 

Also, it doesn't have to be long each time. Just a 5 min exercise is enough. I have key breathing exercises that are my go-to and they are the only ones I do over and over again.

[NightFury]

@tyme I hear you. Maybe I need to set myself reminders on my phone until it becomes a habit/routine.

I'm finding that a helpful strategy for remembering to do things, lately. 

Anyway, I'm heading off for the night. Thank you for chatting with me.  

[tyme]

Good night @NightFury . I'm heading off soon too. And I'll remember to practice my breathing exercises!

We might just have to keep each other accountable!

[NightFury]

@tyme I hope your breathing exercises went well.

So, I gave it a go last night following our conversation. I chose a breathing exercise from Smiling Minds, got it going and that was it...it felt like I snapped back into my body, I don't know how long after. I wasn't asleep, my thoughts were still going and after a bit, I could still hear the Smiling Minds music, but...I didn't actually hear, or do the exercise.

Not sure if that one counts....the intention was there. 

[tyme]

Hey there @NightFury ,

Good on you for giving it a go. The fact that you 'snapped' back into your body is a start in terms of grounding. 

To be honest, it takes a lot of effort for me to stay focussed. I go off in all tangents too - and that's okay. If you feel practising, I reckon you'll soon learn to 'control' your mind. I think this is the purpose?

I'm on a ONE day streak so far. Feel free to nudge me. I'm aiming for a 40 day streak!

Do you have a goal so I can support you too?