Homework from my therapist

I’m back at Open Minds on Friday morning (provided I can scrounge up the bus fare from somewhere) so I thought I’d better do the homework my therapist gave me at my last appointment.

The first part is to write a list of five goals for the next five years:

1: Make a part-time income as a freelance writer
2: Be able to go to new places and large events without fear and anxiety that something horrendous will happen
3: Have at least one on my novels and some of my short stories published
4: Travel abroad, particularly Finland and the Netherlands where I have friends (hello m’dears, if you’re reading!)
5: Pay off my debts

Then I had to identify interest areas and ways to meet people with similar interests.

I had trouble with this in my therapy session, but since then I’ve been thinking about it and have identified six key areas of interest.

There’s writing, obviously, my ability to cope with life increases in direct proportion to the amount of time I spend writing. Bit of a bugger when I’m depressed and want to sleep all day. The thing that could make me feel better is beyond my abilities at that point.

Books. Yes, my love of books is no secret. I’ve downloaded the first two Song of Fire and Ice books. Can’t think why I haven’t read them before, they’re just the sort of books I’d have devoured as a teenager.

Music. Hmm, I enjoy going to concerts but recently I’ve started losing interest. I think it’s because I’m not feeling fantastic at the moment.

Politics. Massive secret to absolutely no one, or at least no one who reads this blog regularly. I never used to be interested in political stuff, but then I got older. A friend of mine suggested that I never really did the angry/rebellious teenager thing so I’m doing it now. About fifteen years later than my contemporaries. To be fair, I was going through my first major depression at the time; it lasted several years. But, now I’m grown up and trying to move past the fear of other people, and my defense mechanisms, so that I can get involved.

Gardening. I’m growing veg again. The beans aren’t happy but my onions are coming through all right. Now I just have to keep the dogs off the raised bed. I need more trellis…

Embroidery and sewing. Self-expression, it’s good for me.

Once I’d identified my interests I had to find ways to meet people.

I’d been lurking on the North East Lincs Green Party Facebook and Twitter for a while but I’ve tried to get involved. When their Grimsby candidate came by with a poster for my window we got on okay. Feeling braver, I decided to go see them at their stall outside Freshney Place one Saturday morning and lurking behind the stall I talked to people and gave out leaflets for an hour. It was nerve wracking at first but I think I managed. I took some leaflets and did a bit of leafleting in my area.

I was in the library this morning and noticed a poster for the library’s reading group. They meet on the second Monday of the month, so I’ve missed this month but I’m going to try to go next month. Maybe one of the group will know of a local writing group?

In my way back from the library I went into the cafe/gift shop to see if there was anything new in (I get some lovely melters from there) and saw a notice for a sewing club. Girding my loins and fighting the terror, I went. It was that or napping. Napping is a very tempting solution when something scares me.

I made a doggie, I have decided to call him Egbert. I shall go back next week and the week after if I feel up to it; we’re making two more in different sizes. I’ve already decided on the material and design. And their names; they will be called Ethel and Bill.

I am ridiculously pleased with myself, mostly because I actually went, met people and made something. I got to use a sewing machine; I really would like one of my own.

And now my homework is done, I’m hungry and seriously needing that nap. But I have a novel and a dozen short stories to work on, and two dozen books I need to finish reading so I can review them. The nap may have to wait until bed time.

Bye,

Rose

xXx