(Notes From a FB Live Sept 7 2018 ~ Click to Watch)

The other day I was looking for some paperwork and had to go through all of the nooks in my apartment where paper lives. I came across my old Safety Plan and I sat on the floor and held it and remembered. Remembered how back in my dark times it was one of my main supports in getting through the craziness of my panic when my brain wouldn’t work and I needed to get away from fear.

I scanned over my life and realized how important lists are to me in general! I usually have some sort of list going in one form or another. I am not always good at following the lists, consistency and such – but the act of creating the list helps me organize my life in a structured way.

This Safety Plan was on my wall for 5 years. When I got overwhelmed and was going out of my mind with fear and confusion, I could look at this list and it would tell me what to do. I structured it in such a way that the top of the list was the first thing to try. Breathe. And if that didn’t work, go to the next and the next. Call an already set up friend. No? Express (creatively – paint, write, colour etc). No? Distract (movie, game, walk, gym, bath etc). No? CrisisI All the numbers for emergency (Drs, police, hospitals, etc). This Safety Plan is all about keeping me alive, keeping me sane and helping me decide what to do in times of crisis.

I don’t have this plan on my wall now. Today I have healed so much and have emotional stability and no longer fear becoming so overwhelmed that I fear for my life. How wonderful is that? Today I have my safety plan in place but it’s now become reflex and automatic pilot. If I am overwhelmed, I have girl fiends I can call and talk to. That is my #1 go to.

Planning is important to me. Plan – Do – Review! I plan for achieving my goals. I like to do my research, or I’ll simply pick up someone else’s research – someone I trust and admire. I grateful to my core for those who have gone before me and have taken the time to relay their experiences. Just love.

#safetyplan #crisis #ptsd #hope #safety #support #claimingwellness #friends #recovery