One of the things I like is reading self-help books. I find the bits in the book that can support me best and if something doesn't jive, I don't try to make it fit. I just take what resonates with me and then I move on to something else.

Self-awareness has been a HUGE part of my healing.

In truth, my time in therapy when I was about 15 wasn't really instrumental in my healing. I think I was way too young at the time. I couldn't make good use of what she was saying. I just needed to go through what I was going through then.

I didn't go to any other therapy after that and eventually, at age 26 started working through it all on my own with workshops, and books, self-inquiry, and a lot of self-awareness.

I also focus on one aspect of my healing at a time usually. So if it's about speaking up for myself, then I try to just pay attention to that during the day.

I watch for all the opportunities to speak up for myself. If I do it, no matter how small, I notice and thank myself for doing that.

If I don't speak up for myself, then I notice what fears were there that stopped me from being able to speak up for myself freely. Then I work with those fears later so that I can understand them better.

The single focus for a day or even a week can really make a big difference.

But when I was really down in the dumps, I'd focus on self-care in terms of eating, drinking, bathing, etc. And just one at a time.

Not that I didn't do the others, but I would really pay attention to one of them so I could be more aware of how I was relating to that aspect my life.

I have to agree with LovingHumanBeing. My time in therapy was short lived and I honestly was so uncomfortable talking about what happened that I didn't get much out of it. So, I started reading every self-help book I could get my hands on. I also volunteered at a Rape Crisis Center.
I would work on each issue slowly and one at a time. That worked really well for me. However, the top 3 issues from the other thread are things that I couldn't over come using those things. So I am hoping I get some good ideas out of this thread.

Bet this is the wierdest!

Modeling nude at 275 lbs. Check out my journals.

I write stories with happy endings, and dive into my own little fantasy world. I try to help others through difficult situations. I run or work out until I just can't think anymore. Not sure if any of these would be considered positive, but they help all the same.

WooHoo! Welcome back LovingHumanBeing! I don't know why I didn't start this thread but I'm glad to see you did.

I did therapy for several months and It gave me a self-awareness I don't think I would have gotten else where. There are certain things that are not specifically covered in self-help books. However, I learned so much about myself, that it gave me several directions to help find some books to help me further my healing.

I think we have to understand how we function and allowing ourselves to feel our emotions instead of letting them brew inside of us. LovingHumanBeing, you have, as usual, an excellent idea of focusing on one aspect of your healing. I will do that. Its seems a lot more manageable than trying to focus on all areas at the same time.

I'm learning to speak up for myself
Trusting myself
Trusting men
Feeling confident with myself
Taking care of my inner child (I think this are is probably something we all need to heal)

educate ourselves
pardon ourselves from guilt
spend time in the sunlight
have fun with friends
be honest

Meditation has really helped me to keep calm and find some time for myself amidst the chatter!

These are all great ideas. :-)

What I like about them all is that they're centered around us and not about what other people are doing or not doing. It's about doing stuff FOR our sake.

Stefanie - I'm glad your therapy was helpful in your self-awareness. I think therapy can definitely serve in that way - especially when you're willing to be there and do the work. Awesome. :-)

I work with animals. Especially with horses. I find that it simplifies my thoughts, calms me down, and brings me out of my head. Also its a good way to connect with another living thing which i think is helpful in any sort of recovery.

1. Yoga
2. Meditation
3. My girlfriends :)
4. A support system of therapy, DS, and my work
5. A good glass of wine

Support groups -- made lots of good friends there and found out I wasn't alone.
Having fun -- I love to dance, swim, act silly. My sense of humor has kept me alive.
I have mixed feelings about therapy. It helped keep me alive during a difficult time in my healing. But I don't like the power dynamics, and I'm very private so I like discovering things on my own.

I'm just beginning the healing journey, so I don't really have anything to add, but I wanted to thank all of you for your answers. You've given me tools to consider adding to my arsenal of coping mechanisms. I know that therapy alone won't do the trick.

Blessings.

I forgot to add some book names that helped/helping me in my healing. No I don't get any royalties.

Fearless Living/Loving by Rhondan Britten
The Courage to be Yourself by oops I forgot the authur but the title should be enough.