Feeling caged up

[creative_writer]

@AuntGlow I hope you are doing well. Feeling rather snotty today, not sure if it’s just allergies or if it’s also viral. I hope you are well 💖.

I think we need to reduce stigma and replace the pathologising framework in the mental health system. Almost half of Australians experience a mental illness in their lifetime. I’ve contacted 1800 respect recently. My last therapy sessions was hard (not because of invalidation but it brings up so many emotions), talking about trauma was hard, I needed to talk it out.

[GezzaP]

@AuntGlow I am still really upset about my fight with my sister. It has triggered bipolar depressive episode but she blames me. I made a mistake. I apologised but she refuses to forgive me. Couldn’t drag myself in to the shower today. 
The campaign against smoking continues. I have had less again today. Running out of smokes and won’t buy anymore when I run out. Will try to make a phone appointment with GP tomorrow to get stop smoking tablets. They block the nicotine urge.

[creative_writer]

@GezzaP sorry to hear ageing hasn’t been kind to you. It is hard to find the motivation when depressed. It is hard finding new hobbies, but it is possible

[GezzaP]

@creative_writer I like doing jigsaws but my cat jumps on them. I will try to get back into reading. I have a kindle reader so can get cheap novels for that. I have thought about trying to write a novel. I have written a couple of non-fiction books, chapters and articles. That was when I was working at uni.

[creative_writer]

@GezzaP cats are something, they have a mind of their own. If they want to do something, they will do it.

You don’t even have to read for long periods of time, even short periods may help. Writing a novel sounds lovely, I would love to write a novel. What kind of non fiction stuff did you write?

[GezzaP]

Wrote books and articles on Cuba and Mexico and edited a book on Africa with a friend. @creative_writer  The problem with writing a novel is the motivation and the discipline to write regularly. Then there’s the difficulty of getting it published, but these days you can publish relatively easily on Amazon e-books. Or self-publish. Yes cats are very independent.

[creative_writer]

@GezzaP writing books and articles is an achievement. It is challenging writing a book but sometimes you need to break it up.

Getting published can be challenging, at least the option of self publishing is there

[GezzaP]

@creative_writer I wrote most of the non-fiction before I got late onset bipolar. 
I have also thought of writing mini-fiction. That is only one or two paragraphs. But not sure I have the imagination.

Had the runs this morning. Lost my battle with the smokes this morning but will keep fighting. Goal for today is to ring GP.

[creative_writer]

@GezzaP mini fiction sounds good. Sometimes imagination and inspiration follows after you start writing. Sometimes we go backwards and that is okay. It is hard breaking addictive behaviour.

I hope you were able to ring the GP today.

[GezzaP]

@creative_writer I only had 1 smoke since 8am this morning. Rang GP to make a phone appointment for Thursday to get a script for the nicotine blocker tablets. Haven’t been able to drag myself into the shower so far today. Walked up to the letter box and brought one bin in. Trying to put lunch off as it is still early. Had breakfast early as woke up early today. 

How are you?