Hello, dear readers,
It’s little me once again…
Apparently typing is good exercise for my broken finger (which is healing nicely ),but also talking is good for the soul too — so here goes.
Idle Hands
The last couple of weeks have definitely been a challenge for me. I am not the most patient of people, and resting my hand (resting my body in bed would have been much easier) to help it heal, has been difficult to do. I broke my index finger on my right hand, and as I am right handed, and tend to use my index finger a lot (painting, typing, piano playing, gaming) I struggled massively.
Part of my mental health recovery has involved doing activities (specifically painting) to keep my hands occupied — and stop me from thinking about self harming. No hand = problematic!
Hands Free?
This over the last few years has proved life changing. I have been self harm free now for almost 3 years! That doesn't mean I'm never tempted, it just means that I have a way to direct my focus (and my stress and frustration) into something that’s both creative and quite beautiful.
But I've had to rethink over the past few weeks, and that's proved hard.
There have been many times in my life when I've had to rethink my plans, even down to whether I was mentally strong enough to even cross a road. Luckily I have some good coping mechanisms in my mental health tool kit which doesn't involve having to use my hand.
Hands Free?
This over the last few years has proved life changing. I have been self harm free now for almost 3 years! That doesn't mean I'm never tempted, it just means that I have a way to direct my focus (and my stress and frustration) into something that’s both creative and quite beautiful.
But I've had to rethink over the past few weeks, and that's proved hard.
There have been many times in my life when I've had to rethink my plans, even down to whether I was mentally strong enough to even cross a road. Luckily I have some good coping mechanisms in my mental health tool kit which doesn't involve having to use my hand.
Now I have new glasses, reading has come back on the agenda - so I've been trying (not always successfully) to read a book when I’m feeling a little ‘mentally stressed’. I also like to watch crime dramas and documentaries, so that's also been a go-to, especially on an evening.
Dangerous Times
But when these fail I can often find myself in my own thoughts, and these are the dangerous times when I need to dig deep in that mental health toolkit.
Box breathing is something I use on a regular basis. It can calm me down, and help me to focus. (breathe in for a count of 4, hold for 4, breathe out for 4, rest for 4). It also gives my thoughts time to settle. A breathing space to help me not act irrationally or do any maladaptive behaviours.
Dangerous Times
But when these fail I can often find myself in my own thoughts, and these are the dangerous times when I need to dig deep in that mental health toolkit.
Box breathing is something I use on a regular basis. It can calm me down, and help me to focus. (breathe in for a count of 4, hold for 4, breathe out for 4, rest for 4). It also gives my thoughts time to settle. A breathing space to help me not act irrationally or do any maladaptive behaviours.
The STOP skill (Stop Take a breath Observe Proceed mindfully) is also something I utilise, especially when I am out and about. This has almost the same effect of slowing me down, and giving space to think more rationally.
Da Vinci's Return!
So having a broken finger (and soft tissue damage in my hand) has forced me to think outside of the box. It could have been a disaster, and had really awful consequences — and I have come so far!
But I managed, like so many times in my life, to adapt and adopt. Whether that’s because I am a strong woman, or because I’m a survivor, I overcame an obstacle, and have grown through it.
Having said all that - I got the go ahead from the Occupational Therapist yesterday to use my hand again doing light tasks… a paintbrush isn't heavy, so, finally, Tina Da Vinci has returned… and with a vengeance.
Until next time!
Da Vinci's Return!
So having a broken finger (and soft tissue damage in my hand) has forced me to think outside of the box. It could have been a disaster, and had really awful consequences — and I have come so far!
But I managed, like so many times in my life, to adapt and adopt. Whether that’s because I am a strong woman, or because I’m a survivor, I overcame an obstacle, and have grown through it.
Having said all that - I got the go ahead from the Occupational Therapist yesterday to use my hand again doing light tasks… a paintbrush isn't heavy, so, finally, Tina Da Vinci has returned… and with a vengeance.
Until next time!
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