I used to joke when my kids were tiny that I could understand why they would want a dummy. I mean, they get torn involuntarily from the warmth of the womb into a room with cold air, searingly bright fluorescent lights, and rough textures, and expected to make it through the rest of life without comforts.
In fact, I would totally get automatic progression from womb to breast to dummy to cigarettes and whisky to death.
My own "dummy equivalent" has tended to be food, which is why I have a propensity for becoming quickly overweight when I don't do something physical. But lately, I have been fighting back against food, and because I am not really a drinker, have been enjoying my tobacco (pipe).
Now, even that isn't enough. I know I'm going through a rough patch, as I gradually came off 150 mgs of sertraline over the last year, and am no longer on any, so am facing my normal autumnal downturn with no help.
Any suggestions for a good replacement? 🙂 I am looking into psychotherapy, but in the meantime, what's your dummy-equivalent?
my bed.
usually in bed by 10. while 6.30. love my kip.
This forum
Karate, push bikes, airfix kits.
But not at the same time.
The Karate and little model aeroplanes require total concentration and are a complete head-flush.
Riding bikes on a Monday night is dicking about with my mates like I did when I was 10 years old, although I have to admit that the faff of winter riding is losing its appeal when I can go down the road for a scuffle and be back home, warm and dry by 8:00pm.
Music - listening to certain songs or albums. Reading. Biking. Running. Kayaking.
This might sound harsh and isn't meant to, but it's a conversation I've had before with a mate. What I think people mean when they talk about 'comfort' in that sense is actually just distraction: something that makes them forget or just drift a little bit away from the Real World for a brief period. I've never found any food or drink that did that for me, and I've never smoked or taken drugs so have no evidence that side.
Funnily enough, my son. 16 months old and currently an absolute delight.
Also, booze, mindless internetting/youtube, biking.
Biking's a bit of a 2 edged sword. Tend to get introspective on long climbs if there's no-one to talk to, but overall, it gives me a lift and sorts my levels out.
Spannering. Either bicycle or motorcycle. Either.
It takes me to a happy place.
Sadly none of mine need anything.
Walking my dog. Clears my head and he is always happy, so that makes me happy.
Fixing stuff & weed. I've got bpd, anxiety & depression. The pills the doctor doles out don't touch it. I've been trying to get to see a shrink for nearly 3 years, but nothing 😞. The weed calms the symptoms. I'm going to be growing my own ASAP. If the last prime ministers hubby can do it, so can I 😁.
Music. Cycling with good friends. A good walk with my wife. DIY projects. Some retro gaming with my kids or brother.
Beer.
Heading to the wood pile, especially for a session of splitting. The chainsaw is fun and requires mindfulness and concentration which is good, but swinging the axe has physicality and is more satisfying. Unfortunately I've been struggling to get enough wood this summer, my usual tree service just isn't getting as much to take down (more small pruning Jobs). I could really really do with 3 or 4 cube of nice easy splitting Oak to take out my frustrations! (And start building 21/22 supplies)
Music mostly - it's amazing the effect it can have on my mood. But a good sleep is also a marvellous thing
I bloody love my food and love cooking.
I just enjoy pottering around the kitchen with the radio on whipping up a culinary feast. I find it really relaxing
As the weather has turned, the slow cooker is back out. It’s comfort food time of year. Of putting something on in the morning and walking back in to the house to awesome smells.
As I’m a big unit and trying to lose some timber, Mrs Binners has just bought me this book today. There’s some bloody lovely looking recipes in here. First one I’m doing, tomorrow, is mac’n’cheese with gammon. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Reading, music, and a good beer every now and then.
Blanket
Book
Banging beats
Beaubs
Bikes
Batham’s Best Bitter
Buttery baked tatties
Let’s face it there’s an alphabet of comfort out there...
I’ve never liked discomfort but have come to realise that the only thing that really works for me is finding a hill and cycling or running up it. Perverted but there you go. I’ve avoided taking up the Drs offer of sertraline, so far so good...
Coffee, choco liebniz and wine. Individually or all together is fine.
My first autumn for a few years without meds, and it's becoming "interesting". Never considered my depression to be seasonal, I just have a lot on in the run up to Christmas so I always assumed it was pressure from that that got to me, but I'm beginning to wonder. Either that or some of my nearest and dearest are just going out of their way to make the usual crap extra crappy this year.
*Adds paranoia to list of issues 🤪*
Bouldering. Forgot that! Really focussed session on some difficult problems.
Porn
Well someone had to say it
You smoke a pipe SaxonRider? is this you?
or this
Long walks, ideally alone and away from the crowds.
Motorbike rides.
Beer and watching random YouTube stuff.
Food.
Bikes.
Guitars.
RC Cars.
Board games.
Cider.
But lately, I have been fighting back against food, and because I am not really a drinker, have been enjoying my tobacco (pipe).
What I focus on generally is self-care. So I make time to just do what I feel like doing. I am quite good at determining this, so I sit down and imagine all the things I could do and see which one makes me feel happy. Then I do it. Lately this is usually watching a good series on Netflix/Amazon with my wife. But down time is vital, even if it means doing nothing and daydreaming.
On my ride this morning I realised how much I rely on food as a dummy. It was 7am and I was mentally going through the contents of my fridge to decide on tonight's dinner and tomorrow's lunch.
@molgrips: You have no idea how many times that Troy McClure ad has run through my mind! 🙂
This..
Apart from family stuff, it would be building dirt jumps.
Wandering around the scenery. Just time outdoors looking at the hills, the sea, the trees and the sky.
If I go more than a week without any I can tell the difference
Funnily enough, and unusually for this forum: bike rides. Cliche I know, but whether its a pootle on my own with a flask and biscuit (jaysus that makes me sound old!), having a blast and a natter with mates, or seasoning a sender ramp with my son - its always bikes.
In fact, my other 'dummy' is working on bikes - whether mine or those of the family, I love the maintenance.
Dog walks and getting out in the fresh air/views comes close, but nothing compares to turning the pedals and feeling the wind in my (lack of) hair.
Amazed (or not really) at how few of you have said "riding my bike"
for me its, riding my bike.
I ride my bike virtually every day winter and summer so I took that as a given. My wandering around the scenery is sometimes on foot, sometimes by bike
Lately it's been my bass guitar. I can't sit in my front room without picking it up and having a twang/thrum/boing on it. Why did I stop playing in the 80s? What a waste.
For me it's exercise; riding my bike > running > going for a walk. I do need to do [i]something[/i] most days, even if it's just a quick blast round the block. Oh, and red wine 🍷
I like to pretend to be an internet comedy panther.
It's all that gets me through the day sometimes.
Bb, I think you're going to have to tell us more about the Strat.......
Bike rides. I realised on Saturday to the moans of my riding buddies that I really like slidey wet autumnal rides. Sharing it with the kids is great too.
Bike maintenance - I like to keep stuff working and keep on top of everything. Makes the bike rides better but it's nice in its own respect.
Climbing - if I have a good session, or take the kids with me, it's always good.
Amazed (or not really) at how few of you have said “riding my bike”
for me its, riding my bike.
I has been for me, and was until last year's accident. I still ride everyday, but haven't yet been re-infected by the bug of daily, obsessive riding. Once I do, it's all I will think about (beyond my work and family).
Until then, I'm appreciating what you are all saying on this thread.
Quite apart from my two dogs and being around my girlfriend, it is skydiving.
It's really impossible to be anything other than totally focussed and, if you are not, you should not be jumping. I like jumping, so I have to focus and that makes everything else just fade away. No fear, no worries, no stress, just freefall.
Tunnel flying is like skydiving methadone. It's like freefall, but not. Good for scratching an itch if you can't get out of a plane.
Bb, I think you’re going to have to tell us more about the Strat…….
Erm..ok.... It's a 59 Custom Shop master build Strat.. Had no intention of buying it when I saw it (relic'd and I'm not keen on relic'd really) but I slung it into a Tone King Falcon and damn the thing just sang "buy me" 🤡
I sold two guitars almost immediately after I brought it home... it's my left arm now.
Riding my bike has been my "comfort blanket" for over 35 years. For the past 20 or so I've been lucky enough to ride almost every day. It's got me through a stressful career and a few life issues. Right now I'm struggling to ride. Not sure if it's a physical problem or symptoms brought on by a return of anxiety. Having a comfort blanket is great. Until it gets taken away.......
Thanks for this thread though, it's positive and life-affirming.
Oh and how do you do emojis these days FFS?
I love bike riding no matter what type. Love riding into town too. I also love milk and vaping ( ex smoker now ). I also love Guiness although I do not drink much at all.