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I sometimes (often) have problems with motivation and getting out of bed. I like to keep up with current events, politics and nature. Present events have sent my worries off the scale so I’m trying to find something positive EVERY day.
Today I went into the woodland area of my garden and systematically pulled out all the young brambles. Nothing against brambles (I’ve got areas where they’re allowed to thrive), except they take advantage of my winter inactivity, and, the little blighters, send out runners across the garden under the leaf litter to trip me up - some were over 8 metres long! I’m now tired but feeling better. Post your daily positive event, it could be something you’ve done or something else that’s given you a lift.
Like a daily uplifting communal diary?
The sun and temperature in Cardiff today were wonderful. And I got lots done. 🙂
I has beer + good musics = all good.
Took the opportunity to make the most of the sunny weather, and went out with some mates on motorbikes today, from Worcester to Hereford, up into Shropshire, onto the Long Mynd, back to Ludlow then Bewdley, stopped at the Indian dealers in Stourport on the way back and had a look round, got offered a test ride so took it out for another 40mins...
Had an ACE time!
Get home... Find out the Russians been shelling innocent civilians on their route out of Mauripol during an agreed cease fire...
I fell apart! 😔
Really struggling right now, reached out to local "Healthy Minds" people 8 months ago now, they only finally got back to me a couple of weeks ago for an "initial assessment" to see if or how they could help. Turns out I'm in pretty dire need of some help (no shit!)... So they've stuck me to the front of the queue... Which is another 7 months long...
If the worst happens, have decided I want "Well... He tried!" to be my lengthy and detailed obituary!
I'm at a gig
If we can manage one positive a day @mboy then we’re not doing bad, it can be something really simple like me with chuffin brambles!
If we can manage one positive a day @mboy then we’re not doing bad, it can be something really simple like me with chuffin brambles!
I'm making a real concerted effort mate... Well done yourself. 👍🏻
But bloody hell it ain't easy right now eh!
Managed to split a small pile of logs that i couldn't be bothered to deal with for weeks.
Cleaned the bike after an awesome bike ride last night.
It is shit looking at the world situation, but look at how much money and the concern a huge number of people have for the refugees, and a lot of the world is unified in a way that hasn't been seen in ages. Humanity can be awesome when the shit hits the fan
Finished digging over the "vegetable patch" that hasn't been used since my FiL got too ill to come up and organise it for us about 5-6 years ago. He passed away last year, and MrsMC has plans for growing veg in his memory.
It's my youngest daughter's birthday, and she's only gone and turned 18! Now, theoretically, I should be feeling old right now - but I did 17km running this morning, and I'm planning on doing more tomorrow, so I reckon my "youth" and her birthday are pretty positive 😀
Swapped all the old halogen downlighters (15) with some LED lights using the good advice from the forum. The wires were just about long enough. Put a coat of paint on the ceiling as well. My back is done in now, but out for a ride first thing in the morning to stretch it out again 😁
When I look the dog for a walk, I noticed that the adjustments to her diet we'd made had the desired effect and it was much firmer.
A member of staff who is returning to Poland thanked for all I’ve done for them while they’ve been here.
Took some stuff to the tip and in the general waste skip I found a mint copy of Need for Speed Underground 2 for the PS2.
@wheelsonfire1
26kg (the dog, not the poop) but 💩 is normally a handful of nuggets a day
mboy - PM me your address and I will send you a present of something I have made / painted / sculpted.
Makes me feel positive that I might have helped someone in some small way have a positive* for today.
*Bold assumption that mboy wants something I have made / painted / sculpted and considers this a positive
mboy – PM me your address and I will send you a present of something I have made / painted / sculpted.
It might even have blood on it 😉
It might even have blood on it 😉
For cloning purposes?
I took my daughter (2 and a half year old) swimming this morning and I went wakeboarding for the first time since November today.
Happy positive day in amongst the last 10 days of "horrible world thinking thoughts"
Who needs a signature when you have DNA?
Anyway, watch the videos, I normally wear my safety flip flops when operating dangerous machines
I gave my youngest son his first shed today.It was our old bike shed that had to come down because of an extension we are having done.It is 15 years old but was in fantastic condition ,it came apart and went back up perfectly,rock solid.He was well chuffed and we had a beer together in the sun.At today's prices it saved him £800 😀
Tidied up our garden after months of feeling like the neighbourhood scumbags. Sun came out and had nice chats about gardening with our neighbours we've not really seen for ages as everyone has been hibernating.
When the sun comes out properly it reminds me how tough UK winter can be on the psyche but I'm seeing that as a positive just now to have hopefully made it through to the other side!
It would be nice to not have to avoid yet another thread for fear of replies eventually turning into the near crippling anxiety so can we at least refrain from the ‘this is my positivity to counteract X’ and just stick to ‘this is my positivity’ please!
Bought three rolls of wallpaper for our house which completes on Friday!
Oh and I got todays wordle on my second guess, which makes me very happy!
I walked up a (small) hill with mrs_oab.
On a sunny day.
With a cuppa and a mini Mars at the top.
Twas ace.
I walked an Alpaca today, rather mindful activity.
I normally wear my safety flip flops when operating dangerous machines
Baggy woolly jumpers with overlong frayed cuffs make the ideal safety companion.
It is shit looking at the world situation, but look at how much money and the concern a huge number of people have for the refugees, and a lot of the world is unified in a way that hasn’t been seen in ages. Humanity can be awesome when the shit hits the fan
This is a thought that I am really holding on to... COVID has been a test of endurance but has mostly brought the good out in people, the current "situation" in Ukraine right now has really highlighted just what the Human Race can achieve when it puts its differences aside and comes together. As and when this madness is resolved, the world should become a dramatically better place!
It would be nice to not have to avoid yet another thread for fear of replies eventually turning into the near crippling anxiety so can we at least refrain from the ‘this is my positivity to counteract X’ and just stick to ‘this is my positivity’ please!
Currently watching TOTP: Big Hits 1990 and reminiscing heavily about arguably one of the best musical years ever! Is that better...? 🤷🏻♂️
Tomorrow I plan to immerse myself in more 2 wheeled antics and will make sure I'm not so selfish as to share my anxiety with a bunch people on the internet... 🤭😉
I'm waiting at the tramstop for my daughter who has been to a concert with some of her orchestra friends.
There's a young couple waiting for the tram after a slightly tipsy night out, obviously very into each other but not quite ready to act on it yet. It's quite sweet.
- I saw Echo and the Bunnymen with two very good friends last Saturday and Mac was in great spirits and voice. I’m still singing their songs a week later.
- I started a new job on Monday and it seems so far a much healthier culture for me and in general.
- Monday evening I saw an old friend I love - I’ve known since 1984 when he was 5 - so most of his life and mine. He’s lost his wife and mum in the last 18 months. Despite his losses, he is still finding positives.
- Tonight I saw a childhood friend I’ve known since we started our GCSE’s. We laughed at our shared memories and our lives today. Thought about a late and dear mutual friend and drank to his memory.
It’s been a meaningful and good week.
Crocuses are out.
Spring is coming 😁
Beer, all you can eat oriental buffet and guitars. Not a bad day.
The sun was out- magical! Rode the new bike into one of the best spots in the Beacons (top of the Gwys) and then rode my favorite descent down to Dan yr Ogof.
This evening the Kendal Mtn Film festival was on at Pontardawe arts centre, got late tickets.
Seeing my oldest son tomorrow for a family meal with his uncle who's over from the USA for the first time in 5 years.
But yes: the crocusses are out. Surely spring is on its way? Please?
Had a chimney removed just over a week ago.
Starting to get round to sorting out the two rooms that this disrupted, so it's good to see some progress.
Then smashed out a hard hour on Zwift.
Fish and chips for tea.
Then went with a neighbour to the micro-pub over the road that had 13 beers on for a mini beer festival. It was the owner's birthday so there was the option of cup cakes or pork pie too go with the beer. Happy days!!
I put some one who is barley an acquaintance and is looking for a house in the village, in touch with a friend who is just getting ready to sell their house in the village today.
both of them were over the moon when I suggested that i might know someone that they should talk to...
I think i have done a good thing today?
Woke up when I wanted rather than as a slave to an alarm.
Flapjack for breakfast.
Mid afternoon snooze.
Walked the dog in the rain. Saw snowdrops.
Macaroni cheese.
Beer and mindless films.
Breakfast by Mrs Pondo, a morning pottering around the house, then a genuinely excellent afternoon on the lash with her and her mates. I now have scratchings, an optimistic beer, Nirvana, and a galaxy to explore in Elite Dangerous. We don't have it so bad.
THREE MONTHS AFTER PROPER BREAKING MY WRIST I TOOK THE BIKE TO ASPLEY HEATH AND HAD A ROLL AROUND AND IT WERE MINT!
I’d only been riding for 9 months when I broke it so to find that itch still needed scratching and and getting a reasonable of confidence (but not fitness…) level back was 👌👌
Coffee in bed listening to a Four Tet mix after a glorious sleep. Cycling into town shortly with my other half to go skating and have a laugh with friends. Coffee and falafel afterwards and a cycle home. Sundays are great.
-4, blue skies and bright sunshine rising. 😎
Helped neighbour on my road who I'd never met before unloading a heavy chest of drawers from her car and just planted my seed potatoes.
Sunday roast plus beer. Invoicing. Home to put out the recycling, shower, make coffee, play guitar and then fall asleep watching a movie* before work tomorrow.
*3 Days of the Condor. Not seen it for 30 years probably...
Sat reading this thread after an utterly shit weekend and trying to think of a positive. Looked up and the sky above the carpark I'm sulking in is full of mummerating/mummering/dancing birds! It's awesome - I've never been so close to one before!
Brilliant, that’s what I’m trying to inspire in these difficult times. I think if it’s starlings it’s a murmeration but if other birds something else. However, stunning and uplifting. Keep looking up @ spud-face
My positive thoughts for the day. Me and my mate, three dogs, walking to the Bentley Brook Brewery in Matlock through a new housing estate. A mole had followed the exact line of the path, 100 metres popping up every 1.5 with it’s mounds. Don’t know why this amused me but it was a bit of a **** you!
Took my mate on a 50 mile ride to Cafe Velo Verde, first time he's been. Was a (calorie) positive day for both of us!
Took my boy for a practise on his bike at the bike park, then had Thai food and went for a walk (cleared some of the fallen trees from the recent storms so night riding this week will be clearer)
I sold my alloy wheels, which is good because they an unusual fit for a fairly uncommon car. Not the best price but not too bad.
I am sat 300 miles from home with my wife and 2 3/4yr old, about to start the transition week for adoption an 18mth old relative. It has been a shockingly terrible experience with social services driving us to near pulling out several times, but finally we are here and it's happening, think I class that as a positive.
@dyna-ti, thanks for that, it is one of those songs that lifts my mood 🙂
@northshoreniall, a tip of the hat in your direction, restores my faith in human nature 🙂
@northshoreniall an exceptional upgrade on my plan for conquering STW with love and positivity. Good luck! Keep us posted, a positive experience a day can be possible.
We don't think it that special and feel most of us would do similar in same situation, but it's great give our son a sibling and keep wee one in the family - win win. Been a long road and can't wait start writing our epic complaint to social service 😁
Had a lie in today, couldn't really sleep last night, worried that the procrastination and negativity might take hold.
But then I took a significant positive step and decided to go out on my Gravel bike and gave my mate a call, and thankfully he was up for it too.
Given I'm still recovering from serious knee problems, any unassisted riding (MTB is eBike only for the forseeable) can be quite difficult, but my knee felt like it is getting a lot better. Chose a very flat route, and the small climbs I was still straight down to bottom gear, but 25 miles mostly off road in the sun (an added bonus!) with my mate, a stop for a pint at a pub on the way home, some exercise and the feeling that my knee is really starting to improve has given me a pretty decent lift! 😁👍🏻
Got second place album of the year (2021) on a community radio rock show, announced last night. Previous record was also placed second (2018). It's the taking part that matters, which I'd had no idea we had done.
#almostwinning
Helped neighbour on my road who I’d never met before unloading a heavy chest of drawers from her car and just planted my seed potatoes.
Not a euphemism?
Met friends we haven’t seen for 2.5 years - had a blast round Hamsterley, ate more calories than I burnt and had a good natter whilst watching their kids play in the sun. Definitely a positive day.
about to start the transition week for adoption an 18mth old relative. It has been a shockingly terrible experience with social services driving us to near pulling out several times, but finally we are here and it’s happening, think I class that as a positive.
MrsMC has been at the pointy end of child protection for 25 years but is now in the adoption team. She's an amazing woman but you are bloody amazing for battling through the system to make it happen for a child.
Spent the whole weekend on an RYA course to teach windsurfing, something I've wanted to do for years. Could forget about world events for a few hours and focus on something else.
I made a rather nice coffee this morning……without breaking the bank 🥳🥳
Well I got a verbal confirmation on Friday afternoon of getting a new job in a field I've been wanting to get into for years. Spent the weekend pottering about in the sunshine and feeling the first warmth of the sun of the year. Had a really good catch up with my dad over a bottle of Wine on Saturday night and should my formal offer come through this week, I'll get to hand my notice in to my current employer which will be a significant weight off my shoulders!
Spent the weekend in London went to see the Stonehenge exhibition at the British Museum. It's quite conservatively curated, and they let too many folk in at a time, but still an impressive exhibition. And then for something completely different went to see the Louise Bourgeois exhibition at the Heyward. Which was also excellent, mesmerising and thought provoking.
Spent the entire weekend in a news free zone, which was a blessed relief
For the first time in what feels like an eternity me and a mate went out for a 'couple of pints' on Friday, after work and ended up 'out, out!'
Dad-dancing at 1 in the morning, waking up with UDI's (unidentified drinking injuries) and everything 😀
Had a few friends round for dinner on Saturday night for a gathering that had originally been planned over 2 years ago
I also had a complete news blackout all weekend as I'd got to the point where I was finding it all a bit overwhelming
On my bike cycling to work this am i caught glimpse of my daughter in the Ex's car heading to school...gave a manic wave, THINK she saw me..
But seeing her and thinking of her (the daughter, not the ex!) makes me beam!
Kids were with their mum this weekend, and I won't see them till wednesday, so every contact counts!
DrP
Went on a 10mile walk around the Chilterns with Mrs db Saturday morning then demolished a couple of steaks in the evening as we were home alone 😜
Friday I had a "self care day".
Booked day of work.
Ran 8 miles over my favourite trails in the morning sun.
Train into Birmingham.
Breakfast of a bacon naan and an espresso martini.
Strolled around a few shops.
Got my Barnet cut at a posher barbers than normal and felt a bit pampered.
Art gallery where I saw a lovely exhibition by Britta Marakatt-Labba.
Took a few pictures.
Lovely lunch at a restaurant I haven't been to for ages.
Picked up for lovely cakes and bread from the bakery.
Home via the pub for a couple of pints.
Immense day.
I told my wife if a young fit attractive woman showed interest in me i would definitely be too weak to resist, but i would fess up after the fact.
I was commended for my honesty, has put a little spring in my step, here's hoping.
We spent the weekend in the Lakes and had glorious weather! No bikes but we did a couple of really nice walks, stayed in a great B&B and had a few beers. It was such a nice break away from work/Ukraine/Covid/stuff etc.
My wife even bought a new HT on the way home 😎
Went to see my 93 year old Dad today and worked through the list of jobs I’d been putting off doing. Completed them, and he found me some more!
Went skiing today for the first time in 103 weeks. Had a glorious bluebird day at Glenshee on really good snow.
I'm now very broken, but very happy 😁
Went to pay £20 for a fundraiser for some local Scouts going to the next World Scout Jamboree in Korea, but made a slight error in PayPal and sent it to a random but similar WSJ fundraiser.
Got a message back to say I'd sent it to the wrong place and they would refund me - asked them to keep it anyway. The last WSJ was life changing for my lad and if my error helps them raise the £4k they need, I'm happy.
I had a dream about the various members of the last STW quiz performing an impromptu gig in the open space by my house, playing improvised instruments like plastic tubs and other banging things. While being led by Cougar playing the concertina. It was the most positive thing I've seen from the forum for a while!
Also, I got a few powder turns in yesterday while skiing, and I have decided to start applying for a less toxic job.
MCTD - if you PM a link to me for the WSJ fundraiser you intended to support I'll make a donation.
All for a good cause.
Went for a walk after work with a new friend. Lady who is similar age to me, without kids, but with a van and lots of bikes 🙂
The big lights are off the commuting bike! It's light by 06:30 and still light at 18:30 (on a clear day) which means I can commute in DAYLIGHT! Sooo much nicer after 4 months of commuting in the dark. I am admittedly setting off an hour later in the morning to take advantage of this, but still!
In a similar vein, last night I stuck my lights on the race MTB, and did my vo2max intervals on the nearest hill in the dark. So good to get away from the turbo, and I felt exhilarated by the cold clear air and after I returned, a real boost. I slept for 7 straight hours too, the first time for a few weeks.
Went walking with my new rescue dog Geoff. He's exceptional happy!
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#bemoregeoff
Its National Pie Week so I'll be christening my new book that Mrs Binners got me for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. I've just been perusing it while sat in the sunshine with a coffee 😀
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Hmmmmmmm.... decisions, decisions