Life – My first ever poem

LIFE

Life shouldn’t be so painful
Life shouldn’t be so hard
Life shouldn’t be something
You would happily discard

Life shouldn’t be a struggle
Just to get through each day
Life should be filled with happiness
Peace, joy and play

I try to find the positive
In everything I do
But that’s not always easy
When life is constantly screwing you

I don’t know why life hates me
I try to play it fair
But every time I turn around
More hard times and sadness are there

I want to get up out of here
Run far far away
To somewhere I’ll be happy
Smiling and laughing everyday

Author: Lisa Clare
AKA: Me

R U OK?

Today is R U OK day!!!

Remember to ask people if they are OK and encourage conversation.

You don’t have to be an expert to support someone going through a tough time. You just need to be able to listen to their concerns without judgement and take the time to follow up with them.

Below are some simple steps to start a conversation –

1. Ask R U OK?

• Start a general conversation; preferably somewhere private
• Break the ice with a joke
• Build trust through good eye contact, open and relaxed body language
• Ask open–ended questions

‘What’s been happening? How are you going?’
‘I’ve noticed that… What’s going on for you at the moment?’
‘You don’t seem like yourself and I’m wondering are you ok? Is there anything that’s contributing?’

2. Listen without judgement

• Guide the conversation with caring questions and give them time to reply
• Don’t rush to solve problems for them
• Help them understand that solutions are available when they’re ready to start exploring these

‘How has that made you feel?’
‘How long have you felt this way?’
‘What do you think caused this reaction?’

3. Encourage action

• Summarise the issues and ask them what they plan to do
• Encourage them to take one step, such as see their doctor
• If they’re unsure about where to go to for help, help them to contact a local doctor or the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

‘What do you think might help your situation?’
‘Have you considered making an appointment with your doctor?’
‘Would you like me to make an appointment or come with you?’

4. Follow up

• Put a note in your diary to call them in one week. If they’re desperate, follow up sooner
• Ask if they’ve managed to take that first step and see someone
• If they didn’t find this experience helpful, urge them to try a different professional because there’s someone out there who can help them

‘How are things going? Did you speak with your doctor?’
‘What did they suggest? What did you think of their advice?’
‘You’ve had a busy time. Would you like me to make the appointment?’

Dealing with denial?

• If they deny the problem, don’t criticise them. Acknowledge they’re not ready to talk
• Say you’re still concerned about changes in their behavior and you care about them
• Ask if you can enquire again next week if there’s no improvement
• Avoid a confrontation with the person unless it’s necessary to prevent them hurting themselves or others

‘It’s ok that you don’t want to talk about it but please don’t hesitate to call me when you’re ready to discuss it.’
‘Can we meet up next week for a chat?’
‘Is there someone else you’d rather discuss this with?’

What if you think the person is considering suicide?

If you’re worried that someone you know is doing it tough or having suicidal thoughts, it’s important that you give that person an opportunity to talk about it. Find a quiet and private space to ask them how they’re feeling and whether they’ve had any thoughts about suicide. Speak in a calm, confident and non-judgmental manner to help them feel supported and reassured.

If someone says they’re thinking about suicide, it’s important you take it seriously. Tell them that you care about them and you want to help. Don’t become agitated, angry or upset. Explain that thoughts of suicide are common and don’t have to be acted upon.

It’s also essential that you determine whether they’ve formulated a plan to take their life. Ask if they’ve decided how they’ll kill themselves or if they’ve begun to take steps to end their life. If they have, it’s critical that you do NOT leave them alone and do NOT use guilt or threats to prevent suicide. Even if someone says they haven’t made a plan for suicide, you still need to take it seriously. Lack of a plan does NOT guarantee their safety. Get immediate professional help or call emergency help lines – such as Lifeline on13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 – for advice and support.

People who are thinking about suicide may signal their suicidal intentions to others. In other cases, there may be no warning. It’s therefore critical that you regularly engage with family, friends and colleagues and provide them with the attention and time to ask them how they’re going.

 

What if I can’t speak to them face-to-face?

• Use the same 4 steps above and talk to them over the phone
• Avoid calling from a noisy place or whilst traveling
• If they’re in a rush, make a time to call them back
• Remember that they can’t see your face, so it’s important to verbally indicate your support

‘I wanted to call up and have a chat to you about how you’re going. Is now a good time?’
‘It sounds like you’re busy or in a rush. When is a good time to call you back to have a proper chat?’

Can I use social media?

• Social media is a great way to share personal tips and information on coping strategies and well being tips (visit our facebook.com/ruokday for examples)
• Send positive messages but avoid publicly commenting on how someone’s coping
• Encourage a conversation over the phone or in person by suggesting a time to catch up

Think carefully before posting or sharing content. What may be appropriate face-to-face could be misinterpreted online. If you’re wondering how the comment might be interpreted, it’s probably best not to send it and to give them a call instead.

 

TAKEN FROM:  https://www.ruokday.com/

YOU AND ME

I found this yesterday and thought it said it well 🙂

If anyone know’s the author let me know as I would love to give them credit

……

YOU AND ME

If you’re overly excited, you’re happy
If I’m overly excited, I’m manic
If you imagine the phone ringing, you’re stressed out
If I imagine the phone ringing, I’m psychotic
If you’re crying and sleeping all day, you’re sad and need time out
If I’m crying and sleeping all day, I’m depressed and need to get up
If you’re afraid to leave your house at night, you’re cautious
If I’m afraid to leave my house at night, I’m paranoid
If you speak your mind and express your opinions, you’re assertive
If I speak my mind and express my opinions, I’m aggressive
If you don’t like something and mention it, you’re being honest
If I don’t like something and mention it, I’m being difficult
If you get angry, you’re considered upset
If I get angry, I’m considered dangerous
If you over-react to something, you’re sensitive
If I over-react to something, I’m out of control
If you don’t want to be around others,you’re taking care of yourself and relaxing
If I don’t want to be around others, I’m isolating myself and avoiding
If you talk to strangers, you’re being friendly
If I talk to strangers, I’m being inappropriate
For all of the above you’re not told to take
A pill or are hospitalized, but I am

The last few days have been the hardest

The last few days have been the hardest I have had in quite some time.  I found myself stuck on the lounge for 4 days straight unable to move, unable to function and not wanting to communicate with anyone.  I even slept on the lounge as moving to the bedroom seemed just to big of a task.

At one point I found myself having to drive somewhere to drop of one of my witches.  The drive was too much.  The anxiety was in overdrive and it was at that point the tears just started.  It was then I knew just how bad everything was going as for the first time I broke down in front of my daughter’s boyfriend.  Something that although he lives with us, I have managed to keep from him until now.  We drove along in silence after that with only the sound of me sniffling and holding back tears.

As I drove back home alone all the feelings intensified.  They intensified to the point I pulled over and just tried to let it all out wondering why it is me that has to go through all this? Why is it me that has had to go through what I already have been? Why do I always have to suffer? A lot of my stresses are out of my control and I still have a long way to go in regards to a serious matter in my life, again all out of my control.  Knowing that it was then and there I made a decision ..

I decided I would drive home and take every seroquel that I had in the house, sleep my stresses away and hopefully wake up in the arms of my Nana in heaven.  I couldn’t see a way out, there was no other option.  I cant cope with the stresses of life and my children are constantly suffering, I am just a burden on people. Everyone is better off anyway and I will finally be at peace.

I continued home ready to put my plan in action, still a big ball of depressed anxiety.  Well wasn’t I upset when I got home only to find I could not carry out my plan.  I had missed my doctors appointment a couple of days before so I didn’t have a full script.  I only had 8 tablets.  This just sent me into a rage. I couldn’t even get that right. It was just another plan that had all fucked up.  I ended up taking 2 tablets and just prayed I would wake up in a better place. It was 2pm.   7 hours later I was woken up by 2 witches both now home and wanting things, telling me I had ruined their plans by sleeping bla bla bla.  They weren’t even meant to be home. They had both told me they were staying at friends. I took 2 more tablets and did my best to ignore them until I again fell asleep.

At 10am this morning I woke up and found that I actually had some energy, the worst was over.  I still wasn’t feeling great but better so I pottered around doing what needed doing the entire time thinking about what could have been had I had the tablets available. wondering if I would have woken up and the main thing …

I was grateful!!  Grateful I was still here, Grateful I didn’t rush out and seek other options,

Grateful to be alive and here to face another day.

Now I know I will go through these feelings again but for today I am happy my plan failed.  I can’t let other things win. I have come too far.

I just need to keep reminding myself that there will be better times and I will get through this!!