All posts tagged Being Optimistic

OSSF: Vintage cutlery wind chime

by Ms Optimism on November 14, 2012 in Being Mum, Family Life, Op Shop Style File with No comments

I don’t know why I sign up for these activities. On a recent op shopping trip I decided it would be a great idea to make a wind chime from vintage cutlery and other bits and pieces. The rationale being that Moopy could get his angries out bashing the cutlery, and I could get my crafty on threading the beads. I’m sure you can imagine how it went – the activity kept his attention for about 5 minutes, and I spent the rest of the hour finishing it off on my own, like so many “together” activities. I really thought he’d be up for the bashing! Lesson learnt.

In any case, here is my proven method for a together crafty moment with your little one, making a wind chime.

Materials and tools

  1. Assorted cutlery from the opshop – test the different materials for clangability
  2. A tray or serving platter with holes in it – for hanging cutlery from
  3. A hammer
  4. Rags
  5. Fishing twine
  6. Beads
  7. Disinterested toddler (optional)

Method

Step 1 With some trepidation, hand toddler hammer and cutlery wrapped in rags. The rags are to protect the cutlery from getting too banged up when they you are flattening it. You’ll need at least 8 pieces of cutlery, depending on the size of the tray you are using.

Step 2 Wind fishing wire around the thin end of the handle and tie into a knot. Thread fancy beads, buttons, anything onto the fishing wire – the more random the better! They get tangled up very easily, just sayin. I splashed out and bought a few crystal beads to pick up the sunlight – very gorgeous.

Step 3 Turn the serving platter upside down and tie the cutlery strands to it. Make sure they are tied closely enough that they can bang into each other, or it’s going to be a pretty quiet wind chime. You may need to also hang a large spoon or knife in the centre to make sure there’s a lot of clanging going on.

Step 4 Attach a few strands of heavy fishing wire to the top of the platter. Find somewhere to string up your gorgeous creation. Stand back and admire the glory of the creation you have made together on your own.

This really was a lot of fun to make, very simple, and I was very happy I actually followed through and did it! My usual MO is to buy the bits and pieces for the craft project, and then procrastinate the actual making until I’ve forgotten what I bought the bits and pieces for in the first place – shhhh don’t tell Mr Optimism!

The good crockery

by Ms Optimism on June 13, 2012 in Depression, Family Life with No comments

Image via InAweofGod'sCreation

So, I’m home! I am finding that hospital is a bit like London, or labour, in that now I am home I am blanking out all of the shit that I hated and just remembering the good stuff. Like not having to prepare meals, or take care of anyone else except myself. And having a space that I can hide in. The ever thoughtful Mr Optimism has suggested that I blog about all of the things I hated, so I can remember them, but also so I may use it as motivation to do the things that will keep me well when my motivation is waning.

Now that I am home, I am desperately trying to maintain the motivation without being hard on myself. This is a tough ask for me. I have had small wins: bed early, got my art stuff out (didn’t actually use it…), checked email without having a panic attack, meditated this  morning. Still no exercise.

At the risk of sounding all cliched, this moment right now, this very moment will never happen again. It is unique in all time and it is up to me, up to all of us to live it in a way that is true. Each moment is a moment to be treasured and lived in a way that I can be proud of. With this in mind I am declaring henceforth I will use the good crockery.

I never use the good crockery. I save it for later. I’m not sure when later will come, what defines the moment that it is finally ok to use and indulge in the nice things that I have available to me. Why must I use the horrible stoneware now. What will happen if I use the good crockery now? I might feel good?

True, I might break the good crockery. But it is also true that the good crockery might break later on when I use it too. Or it might get broken while moving house, or be discovered by a certain 3 year old and smashed. Then I would have to face that my good crockery had existed and been destroyed without me ever having experienced the joy of using it.

I am of course using my good crockery as a metaphor, for here is a list of other things I do not regularly make use of because this moment is not a special enough occasion…

  • Nice bath smellies. In fact I am more likely to throw out a smelly unused 12 months down the track after it has gone rancid. This totally makes no sense.
  • My Chanel make up. That I splurged on years ago, and is probably giving me cancer now because it’s so old.
  • My antique glasses. In case I break them.
  • My nice clothes. Surely I should enjoy and wear them out now, while they still fit. Shit will go south soon enough.
  • Nice paper. This I acknowledge is truly neurotic, however I personally know another creative who does the same thing. I have reams of lovely paper that I will never draw on in case I ruin it. I just keep on buying it, and drawing on the crappy paper because that’s all I’m worthy of. If my psychologist sees this she’s going to go to town on me, I know.
  • My fucking expensive Trek Madone. This is a bicycle that is worth more than my car, which I refuse to ride in inclement weather because I don’t want it to get dirty. I don’t even know where to start with that one.
  • Quiet moments with people I love. Because I’m so fucking busy. Am I really? Or is it just that I can’t bare to sit still. The tasks will never be finished, I need to learn to relax in spite of the tasks.

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy the good crockery, now. In this moment. Because I’m learning that enjoying the good crockery energises us, and reinforces the feeling that we are worthy of the good crockery. Worthy of positive moments.

Do you agree? Or am I expecting too much from the Wedgewood?

 

Nourishing the soul

by Ms Optimism on June 3, 2012 in Depression with No comments

Love, life and laughter nourish the soul. So does art. Working in the creative industry, over the years art has become more work than nurture. It’s been nice to get in touch with art as fun again. Shopping for art supplies is fun, using new art supplies is fun and increasingly putting the colour on the paper, making the mark is fun too. Silencing the inner sarcastic bitch has been challenging (that’s shit), but not impossible, as I strive to enjoy the process rather than the outcome. And then apply this mindset to life.

Tall Poppy

Space and Forgiveness

Celebrate

by Ms Optimism on May 31, 2012 in Depression with No comments

Image via Homies in Heaven

How often do you celebrate the wonderful things that you have done? The big and little achievements in your life. It’s a weird feeling, right? Do you feel a teeny bit jealous of people who seem to have no problem doing it? I do.

My previous psychologist once asked me to write down 5 good things each day, and it was tough to think of that many some days. My fabulous business mentor wanted me to tell her my strengths in business and I was reduced to tears. We are not taught to celebrate our successes in this country are we?

I think we all need to become fabulous trumpet players. We should take lessons and practice blowing our own trumpet. It feels bloody weird to start with, but I think it’s an invaluable skill. And while we’re practicing blowing our trumpets our inner critic (or Itty Bitty Shitty Committee) is silenced, even if it’s only temporary reprieve.

So I dare you: Blow your trumpet! Comment here about something great you have done, big or small. Or ring a friend, or tell your partner. Then ask them to tell you something great they have done. Have a toot every day and see how good it can feel. Check out the guy in the picture, he’s practically orgasmic with joy! Or drunk.

I double dare and physical challenge you, blow your own trumpet.

Today I ran for 30 minutes, when every fibre of my being wanted to make a cup of tea and sit on the couch. If you’ve ever experienced depression you’ll know what a major feat that was. I felt proud of myself for doing it – go team O.

Mother of the Year

by Ms Optimism on May 14, 2012 in Being Mum, Depression with No comments

Image via Jaydubyasee

Motherhood lesson #423: Pick your battles.

Yesterday Moopy hit the skateboard park (yes the skateboard park, yes he is 3) wearing the following…

  • Jeans that are 2 sizes too small (I want to wear those ones Mum)
  • No underpants (But I don’t waaaaaaaant undies Mum, nooooo!)
  • The pyjama top that he’d slept in the previous night (I won’t be cold Mum, I want to wear this one)
  • Shoes, but no socks (The socks are too fluffy and soft Mum, I don’t want them)

I’ll be in line for a mother of the year award this year, for sure!

It is worth noting that it was 12 degrees and raining outside today. Even with this in mind, this was a battle I chose not to fight. Some days I fight all of the battles and we both lose, feeling frustrated and angry with each other, apologising to each other for fighting like some kind of bickering married couple. Those are the days I beat myself up over. Is it really important that he wear matching socks, or am I just fighting to win the argument. It’s so hard to not sweat the small stuff when you are a mum. Sometimes you forget that they are 3 and you are supposed to be the grown up. When you are lost in the moment you don’t realise how ridiculous it is to yell at a child “Don’t yell at me!”

So today I chose not to fight partly for him and partly for me. Mostly for me if I’m honest, because at the time I couldn’t really see how stupid it would be to argue over those things, I really just couldn’t be bothered with ANOTHER fight and I didn’t want to be banshee mum again. And in the end it was nice to have a day where I was more relaxed, and we could just kinda hang out. It’s a feeling I’m going to try to hang on to.

Doing all of the things

by Ms Optimism on May 12, 2012 in Depression with 4 Comments

Image via Hyperbole and a Half

While I did make a somewhat miraculous recovery at the retreat recently, some rather heavy family issues have taken their toll and I find myself back in the unhappy place.

My usual reaction is to deal with the problem. Do all of the things to get better, and do them a lot so I may get better quickly. For goodness sakes just stop being so depressed already.

Consequently I’m suffering from a bout of recovery fatigue. It takes me so much work to get better because of the type of depression that I have, and what’s the point, I’ll just be back here in six months anyway. I am really trying to be bothered to get better, if not for my sake then for the sake of those who rely on me.

Some people suggest I harden up and do all of the things. My psychologist has suggested that I go easy on the all of the things approach, but I’m not sure what that looks like. Maybe just getting to bed on time and eating something for lunch each day is enough of a challenge for me right now (Inner Sarcastic Bitch: how pathetic). I’ll see how that goes.

Because even I am sick of listening to myself whinge about being depressed.

Where’s My Glow?

Whine? Why yes, both kinds!

Hi ho, hi ho

by Ms Optimism on April 20, 2012 in Being Mum, Depression, Family Life with 2 Comments

It’s off home I go. The week has flown by in some ways, and in others it has been a long and slow journey. I’m excited to go home, but dreading it too. It’s amazing how quickly a girl can get used to daily massages – perhaps a new duty for Mr Optimism? Wishful thinking indeed! ;)

I have learned many things about myself, not all of them positive. But with learning comes change, and change for the better.

I have one more night before I see my boys again, which means one night in my own bed (sans snoring and poking feet) to rest and grow even bigger into my own skin again before I am mother, wife and boss once more. But always me in my own skin.

 

If you have a friend with depression

by Ms Optimism on March 7, 2012 in Depression with No comments

Today I thought I would write a guide for people who have a friend (or partner) with depression. My BFF who dared to leave me and live interstate for some years (the cheek!) is now home again, to my proclamations of depression. It has struck me that he is perhaps a bit confused about what has changed about me, if anything, or how I am expecting him to be. If I was brave enough, this is a conversation I’d be having with him.

1. Being depressed is not just feeling a bit sad.

I wish it was. It’s a biological thing, that can affect you even if you have a perfect life. So it’s not always a reaction to shitty things happening. It’s also not something you can just pull yourself out of.

2. There are some very physical symptoms of depression, including:

  • Complete loss of short term memory. When we say our brain is like a sieve it we are so not joking. I count this as a physical symptom!! If we forget things it’s not because we don’t care. It just fell out of our brain
  • Inability to problem solve effectively or make decisions – so you might want to suggest somewhere for coffee, because we can’t decide *stress*
  • Lethargy/Tiredness. Not being able to get out of bed sounds like lots of fun I know, but it’s not – trust me. Especially when you can’t just stay in bed, but that’s a whole other rant.
  • Word Salad. When your brain just can’t find the right word. Please don’t make fun of us.

3. We are the same person.

OK, that sounds like I have MPD now. I don’t. You know what I mean.

Speaking for myself personally, I don’t expect my friends to treat me any differently. You don’t need to blow sunshine up my arse, or take pity on me, I am also not a project that you need to fix – I have doctors for that. Just be there for catch ups and chats and hugs.

4. Education.

You might find it helpful to read up about depression, try starting at Beyond Blue – who have good resources for friends and families.

5. Thank you.

Know how important your friendship is. Even if we can’t express gratitude right now, it’s so important to have friends around.

x

Precipice

by Ms Optimism on March 5, 2012 in Being Mum, Depression, Family Life with No comments
prec·i·pice

Noun. A very steep rock face or cliff, typically a tall one.

Some days I am standing at the bottom, looking up at the climb I face that day. Some days I am standing at the top waiting to take the leap of faith into some new unknown.

The Zoloft-induced elation (normalcy?) I experienced late last year has been shattered by another dark episode, as it became clear that I was experiencing much more than the exhaustion that one would expect after having your MIL in residence for two weeks. The kind of dark episode that increasing my dose by 1/3 hasn’t touched the sides of. Yay me!

I have been using some uncomfortable words to describe my state of mind lately. Mentally ill. Retarded. So tired. Incapacitated. Incapable. I have been living in a bizarre world where I can’t put together the logic to make dinner, but am quite capable of strategising marketing plans for clients. Coping mechanism perhaps?

So the precipice I stand at today is staring down my first appointment with a psychiatrist. He called me today to introduce himself and tell me when the appointment is, and it struck me when I hung up that the way I noted the details is a perfect visual representation of my state of mind and life right now. Chaotic, disorganised, absurd, childlike.

So what does one expect at a psychiatrist’s appointment? Will I find myself in One Flew Over the Cuckoos nest and not know how I got there? Fuck I hope not. I know I want a rest, but today not that badly.

What I do know is that I hope that when I take this leap of faith there will be healing, and recovery, and wellness. And I’ll get back some of that elation (normalcy? fuck you Universe that I have to fight to feel normal) that I experienced last year, and life won’t be so difficult for my family.

Five things about depression (potentially less helpful than this list).

  1. It can take compliments and positive statements and twist them into ugly thoughts.
  2. It can make an intelligent and independent person struggle to complete basic tasks.
  3. It can make you forget what you were talking about mid sentence.
  4. It is fucked.
  5. My GP tells me I can beat it again.

 

Contradictions

by Ms Optimism on November 25, 2011 in Depression with No comments

The hell and the frustration of depression can come from the contradictions.

I am bored out of my mind, but I lack the energy to do anything about it.

I’m wasting my time sitting here doing nothing, but anything I do will be shit so why bother.

I’m isolated and lonely, craving contact, but don’t feel like going out or seeing anyone.

I have so much stuff to do, so many people relying on me that I am going to do nothing because I don’t know where to start.

I need to be close to you, but if you come any closer I will literally stab you with the nearest sharp implement.

I am hopelessly sad, really fucking angry, but I am numb and unable to feel.

And the best/worst thing is only being able to even see how pointless these contradictions are when I’m well.

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