Hi everyone,
To kick off the weekend on a positive note, every Saturday and Sunday we’ll be running some activities to help get us into a good mindset and tackle the weekend with confidence. These activities will aim to get some lighthearted conversations going between members, help develop supportive community connections and provide a space for people to inspire others and bring some positivity to their day!
The first of these new activities is called Turning the negative into positive: reframing negative thoughts, emotions or events into positive statements.
For example:
• I missed my train this morning but it meant to was able to see the sunrise from the platform
• I encountered something which triggered my cravings, but I was able to work through them and now I’m aware of “x” as a trigger and recognise my own capabilities/strengths
• My childhood trauma led me to an addiction -> My childhood trauma has made me a resilient adult
This is a nice way to help reframe some of things which may make it harder to stick by recovery goals.
This activity will be Running all day Saturdays, alternating fortnightly with “3 things to look forward to”.
We appreciate any feedback about these activities! Hopefully its a nice lighthearted way to start the weekend on a good note!
The new activities will be running in addition to our weekly Monday Meetup and Thursday Check-in meetings.
Looking forward to seeing all of your responses!
TheTeam
Welcome to our online peer support community. Connect with others making change in their alcohol and other drug use. Join our online community today.
Connect, be inspired, motivate others. Share your experience & strategies.
Safe. Anonymous. Professionally moderated. Free of judgement.
Turning the negative into positive
- TheDees
- Moderator
Post
Re: Turning the negative into positive
Hey folks,
It's Saturday, so lets kick it off with our inaugural Negatives to Positives!
I'll start things off.
This weekend I'm very busy and don't have much down time, but I do get to see my family who I haven't seen in a while.
I also woke up late today, but it meant I was able to see the Rosellas that flock in the tree outside my place!
How about everyone else? I'd love to hear your silver linings!
@Deyfhob @Gizelle @Simply me
It's Saturday, so lets kick it off with our inaugural Negatives to Positives!
I'll start things off.
This weekend I'm very busy and don't have much down time, but I do get to see my family who I haven't seen in a while.
I also woke up late today, but it meant I was able to see the Rosellas that flock in the tree outside my place!
How about everyone else? I'd love to hear your silver linings!
@Deyfhob @Gizelle @Simply me
0 x
- Deyfhob
- Member
Post
Re: Turning the negative into positive
This weekend I have my young kids all weekend as their father believes he needs time off, but it means I get to spend more time with them and watch all the new things they get to discover
2 x
- TheDees
- Moderator
Post
Re: Turning the negative into positive
@Deyfhob , That sounds wonderful! It's always delightful seeing how kids explore the world around them and be amazed by everything they find. It's great you've got some extra time with them and can enjoy the weekend together 
0 x
- Katiee
- Member
Post
Re: Turning the negative into positive
I’m missing all my kids but at least I get some precious time with my eldest
2 x
- Lhiver
- Community Builder
Post
Re: Turning the negative into positive
Alright! Let's kick off this weekend by re-framing a few things in our lives!
It's forecast to rain this weekend, which has scuttled some of my plans, but it means I get to stay in and spend some time with my housemate and cat!
@Katiee , @Deyfhob , @Minnie mouse , @Gizelle , @Xr81 Have you got some things to post this weekend?
It's forecast to rain this weekend, which has scuttled some of my plans, but it means I get to stay in and spend some time with my housemate and cat!
@Katiee , @Deyfhob , @Minnie mouse , @Gizelle , @Xr81 Have you got some things to post this weekend?
0 x
- Minnie mouse
- Member
Post
Re: Turning the negative into positive
@Lhiver I went furniture shopping with my partner today and got a nice 2 seater recliner, saving money by not buying dope has its benefits 
taking puppy for a walk this arvo and tomorrow going to my daughter's for Mother's day lunch
taking puppy for a walk this arvo and tomorrow going to my daughter's for Mother's day lunch
2 x
- Lhiver
- Community Builder
Post
Re: Turning the negative into positive
@Minnie mouse that's great! Buying something nice for yourself with money you've saved is a great way to treat yourself. It's also a way of having a visual and physical reminder of how far you've come, and of the benefits of recovery! Your weekend sounds like it's off to a wonderful start
0 x
- Deyfhob
- Member
Post
Re: Turning the negative into positive
I get to stay inside and invest in Netflix and catch up on some missed sleep 
2 x
- Lhiver
- Community Builder
Post
Re: Turning the negative into positive
Alrighty Folks! We're back with some reframing this weekend!
I'l start off, after a bit of a hectic week.
We're back in lockdown in VIC, bit that means I'll be able to spend sometime doing jobs around the house I haven't been able to do, and to catch up on some life admin!
I have a major presentation coming up this week, but it's been really good working in my project team, as I've got to meet some really cool new people!
okay over to you! @Minnie mouse @ritch @Gardengirl68 @Deyfhob is there anything you'd like to share this weekend?
I'l start off, after a bit of a hectic week.
We're back in lockdown in VIC, bit that means I'll be able to spend sometime doing jobs around the house I haven't been able to do, and to catch up on some life admin!
I have a major presentation coming up this week, but it's been really good working in my project team, as I've got to meet some really cool new people!
okay over to you! @Minnie mouse @ritch @Gardengirl68 @Deyfhob is there anything you'd like to share this weekend?
1 x
- Minnie mouse
- Member
Post
Re: Turning the negative into positive
Last week was my first week back at work, we had a big week and I'm really feeling it physically after being off for 2 months. It was so good to see all my work buddies so that was a good compensation for my achey old body
The lockdown hasn't affected my work at all except for having to wear the mask. I was going to babysit for my daughter last night, she hasn't been out for ages but obviously that didn't happen. I'm kinda relieved because I'm needing to recover after the busy week
Another good thing about the lockdown is there is much less traffic when going to and from work. I'm getting drug tested daily at work, it's getting a bit annoying but at least I know they will show negative every time. This will continue for 3 months but it will prove to my employer that I'm serious about keeping my job and committed to staying off the weed.
The lockdown hasn't affected my work at all except for having to wear the mask. I was going to babysit for my daughter last night, she hasn't been out for ages but obviously that didn't happen. I'm kinda relieved because I'm needing to recover after the busy weekAnother good thing about the lockdown is there is much less traffic when going to and from work. I'm getting drug tested daily at work, it's getting a bit annoying but at least I know they will show negative every time. This will continue for 3 months but it will prove to my employer that I'm serious about keeping my job and committed to staying off the weed.
3 x
- Peace Dove
- Community Builder
Post
Re: Turning the negative into positive
Hi everyone,
I love this thread. I'm going to share one of mine too: so we're in lockdown again in Victoria (
), but I'm very happy that I've been able to use my time being at home to catch-up with my friends and family from my home country. And catching up with them, they've also reminded me that we're still in a much better position in Australia than many other countries, so I'm very grateful to be here and happy to comply with restrictions that keep as all safe.
@Minnie mouse you made me laugh, you're funny. Glad you were able to rest instead of babysitting.
Yeah, the less traffic is a good one too. Hopefully, the 3 months will fly by and then you'll be done with the daily testing. You got this!
I love this thread. I'm going to share one of mine too: so we're in lockdown again in Victoria (
), but I'm very happy that I've been able to use my time being at home to catch-up with my friends and family from my home country. And catching up with them, they've also reminded me that we're still in a much better position in Australia than many other countries, so I'm very grateful to be here and happy to comply with restrictions that keep as all safe. @Minnie mouse you made me laugh, you're funny. Glad you were able to rest instead of babysitting.
Yeah, the less traffic is a good one too. Hopefully, the 3 months will fly by and then you'll be done with the daily testing. You got this!
2 x
- Lhiver
- Community Builder
Post
Re: Turning the negative into positive
Back with our Saturday activities! Turning negatives into positives. I really need this this week, I find re framing super useful as it gets me to think a bit more about what's going on in my life and helps me find the silver linings!
This week has been a very long one as my mum is moving out of the apartment she's been in for 21 years, it's bitter sweet as there are so many happy memories there, but her new place is better maintained and I'm glad she's able to move somewhere a bit nicer! Also we have lots of new good memories to make!
I finish my placement this coming Friday, I'm sad to be leaving as I've had a lot of good experiences, but I've made some good friends and am excited to be able to be more present here on the forums with you guys!
@Katiee @Simply me @Charligirl @chasityhd2 @Peace Dove I'd love to hear from you
This week has been a very long one as my mum is moving out of the apartment she's been in for 21 years, it's bitter sweet as there are so many happy memories there, but her new place is better maintained and I'm glad she's able to move somewhere a bit nicer! Also we have lots of new good memories to make!
I finish my placement this coming Friday, I'm sad to be leaving as I've had a lot of good experiences, but I've made some good friends and am excited to be able to be more present here on the forums with you guys!
@Katiee @Simply me @Charligirl @chasityhd2 @Peace Dove I'd love to hear from you
0 x
- Simply me
- Member
Post
Re: Turning the negative into positive
Love a good reframe @Lhiver way to shift perspectives and vibes!
Hope your Mums move goes well for her....
Some of the ones I'm focused on tonight....
The rejection Ive experienced from some fine art galleries and the exhibition spaces within em. So reframe, outside our place, I'm going to set up my own street side gallery and exhibit in a space I do feel a sense of belonging. An offering up of what I do to the hood. It'll be like an exhibition, red sold stickers, so that folk who come later get to see everything, but with some budgy priced pieces too. It's helping me to have this on the horizon. I'm crafting more, my focus is better, and tonight I'm flowing away at it, altho taking a break to write this! It's given me something to work towards, on the horizon, See where I'm at in 3 months
In working with my psychologist today who has an embodied approach, we reframed some sensations in the body I described as 'slump' to 'rest'. Slump is that disempowered, hopeless state of I'm done, had it, quit. Shoulders curve in, I don't breathe, backs slouched. When I'm in slump state, the negative thoughts kick in and dominate the space. It's a desire to avoid feelings and emotions, a fair call at times, yet one of the ways it differs from 'rest'. When I'm in this state, my posture is more intentionally nourishing, held gently, I may support myself with pillows, warm blankets, ug boots, a favorate chair, candles, music, loved ones or solo down time. Emotions may come, tears, in waves, I'm breathing in my belly. Rest takes slump by the hand, and offers a leg up eh.....
The other big reframe is around diagnosis and health stuff. My fella and I are working this one through n out together. To not take as set in stone any statistical type outcomes, but work with the potentials. A responsive attitudes capacity to influence and shift for healing, and wholth. To hear our bodies messages, nourishing where called for. The first psychiatrist I saw, with my family as a teen told us I had a chronic degenerative condition called schizophrenia, that would worsen with age, that I may make it, may not. I am now 50, and refer to myself as, amongst other things yet not solely, as a wombyn who hears stuff others don't. Let's see what else can be shifted. Yep sure, I'll accept treatments where useful tools, but perhaps not the internal stigma of some of the attitudes that can go along with their namings....
Scuse the rave....
Blessings n good vibes....
Hope your Mums move goes well for her....
Some of the ones I'm focused on tonight....
The rejection Ive experienced from some fine art galleries and the exhibition spaces within em. So reframe, outside our place, I'm going to set up my own street side gallery and exhibit in a space I do feel a sense of belonging. An offering up of what I do to the hood. It'll be like an exhibition, red sold stickers, so that folk who come later get to see everything, but with some budgy priced pieces too. It's helping me to have this on the horizon. I'm crafting more, my focus is better, and tonight I'm flowing away at it, altho taking a break to write this! It's given me something to work towards, on the horizon, See where I'm at in 3 months
In working with my psychologist today who has an embodied approach, we reframed some sensations in the body I described as 'slump' to 'rest'. Slump is that disempowered, hopeless state of I'm done, had it, quit. Shoulders curve in, I don't breathe, backs slouched. When I'm in slump state, the negative thoughts kick in and dominate the space. It's a desire to avoid feelings and emotions, a fair call at times, yet one of the ways it differs from 'rest'. When I'm in this state, my posture is more intentionally nourishing, held gently, I may support myself with pillows, warm blankets, ug boots, a favorate chair, candles, music, loved ones or solo down time. Emotions may come, tears, in waves, I'm breathing in my belly. Rest takes slump by the hand, and offers a leg up eh.....
The other big reframe is around diagnosis and health stuff. My fella and I are working this one through n out together. To not take as set in stone any statistical type outcomes, but work with the potentials. A responsive attitudes capacity to influence and shift for healing, and wholth. To hear our bodies messages, nourishing where called for. The first psychiatrist I saw, with my family as a teen told us I had a chronic degenerative condition called schizophrenia, that would worsen with age, that I may make it, may not. I am now 50, and refer to myself as, amongst other things yet not solely, as a wombyn who hears stuff others don't. Let's see what else can be shifted. Yep sure, I'll accept treatments where useful tools, but perhaps not the internal stigma of some of the attitudes that can go along with their namings....
Scuse the rave....
Blessings n good vibes....
1 x
- Lhiver
- Community Builder
Post
Re: Turning the negative into positive
@Simply me wow, that's all so impressive, I can see how useful refocusing has been for you! The art gallery idea sounds so wonderful! It's a great way to counter the clique-y-ness of the art world and also gives people in your community the opportunity to enjoy your art!it's something that can really bring people together.
The work with your psychologist sounds really good. Have a positive relationship with your body and being able to recognise what all those physiological aspects means is really useful in recognising when you might need to stop and give yourself some time and space. I can really hear how much you and your partner are working together for his diagnosis. It must be incredibly difficult for both of you, but having each other and that support makes such a difference. diagnosis can be difficult, I like what you've said about not taking on the shame of a label. I think that is a really important thing to acknowledge. It sound like you've persevered a lot, and you should be really proud of that.
Keep on going!
The work with your psychologist sounds really good. Have a positive relationship with your body and being able to recognise what all those physiological aspects means is really useful in recognising when you might need to stop and give yourself some time and space. I can really hear how much you and your partner are working together for his diagnosis. It must be incredibly difficult for both of you, but having each other and that support makes such a difference. diagnosis can be difficult, I like what you've said about not taking on the shame of a label. I think that is a really important thing to acknowledge. It sound like you've persevered a lot, and you should be really proud of that.
Keep on going!
0 x