TLC

I needed a quick pick me up this morning. That came in the form of new socks. Simple but it did the trick.

I have a box that I keep by my bed which contains things to give me a quick fix of TLC when I need it. I try to dip into it at the first sign of a wobble and sometimes it staves off what could possibly be something worse.

Right now it contains:
Tissues
Chocolate (Green & Blacks white!)
Lens wipes (yes cleaning my glasses really does help me see things more clearly)
Small puzzle book and pen
Post it notes
Shower gel
A few photos of special people, places and memories
Pertinent positive quotations and Bible verses
Eye mask
Book about friends
Paracetamol
Until this morning it also had a new pair of socks in it. 

The idea is that it's there when I need it and reduces the need to think about how to ward off a crash.  Socks was a really good thing to have in there as all day today I have been reminded about my pick me up.  And they're pretty awesome robot socks which has made me smile.

Alas I can't really have new socks every day. But if I need to, I can try something different tomorrow. 

I'm getting better at self care but it's still not second nature yet. But I'm taking one step at a time, with or without new socks...

Happy talking...

Today has been a day of talking. To people I know well, to people I know a bit and to people I have never met before. I've talked at, to and with people. There's been closeness and distance. But it's all been good.

A friend joked that I talk too much. But it's what you're talking about and what you're saying that's important.  When I was at university I remember a session where we could only write a certain amount of words to convey a message. It's not how many words we use, it's using the right ones.  And when we use them. A well timed word or text has been my saviour many times.

Words can comfort, heal, help and calm. They can still the chaos and refocus the mind. But they can also hurt, damage and break. They can be cruel.

I'm going to try something this week. I'm going to try to use kind words and only kind words this week. I'm not professing to be perfect and suspect I won't be 100% successful but I'm going to try. Just being more aware of something can be a big help.  I'm not even sure how much of an issue it will be; how hard or easy it will be. But the challenge is there.

As BT used to say, "it's good to talk" but only if you use the right words.