DreamPirate back on deck

[JazzyM]

It had been rough going for a while, but Jazzy had survived. Barely, but she had. A terrible storm had arisen, tossing the ship around in its torment. It even went so far as to knock the fox demon off of the deck and into the churning waters. Luckily, being a fox demon allotted her the ability to change form and she stayed below the ragged waves in a form more suitable for the ocean. Once the storm had mostly passed, she pulled herself free of the water and back on to the ship.

 

Above her, clouds still passed, but the sun was shining and she was drying out. There may be some rough patches ahead, but Jazzy was going to tough them out, there was no other option. No more giving up, no more slipping behind. She was on deck to stay. Until she beat the Captain and got her own ship, that is.

 

---

 

So last challenge, I had a rough time of it. My depression hit me hard and knocked me on my ass. This challenge, I've decided to join the druids and focus on meditation to help with manage my depression. My main quest is still to lose weight and I will be actively working towards that, but a big focus is on meditation. 

 

Main Quest

Lose 5 pounds

 

Quests

 

Swab the Decks

-Ride the stationary bike at least 3x/wk for at least 30 minutes

+2 STR

 

Food Rations

-Stick to 2000 calories per day

+1 STA +1 CON +1 WIS

 

Nightly Activity

-Use the HeadSpace app for meditation daily

+1 STA +1 CON +2 WIS +1 CHA

 

Life Quests

 

Jazzy's Log

-Post an update to my challenge thread every other day

+1 CHA

 

Pay it Forward

-Post to my CutLass crew's challenge threads at least once a week

+1 CHA

 

Free Time

-Cross stitch when possible

+1 STA

 

Side Quest

 

Every Pirate Needs a "Rum" Ration

-32 Oz of water a day

+1 STA +1 CON

 

Grading

At the end of the challenge, I will take my total days completing each goal and divide it by the total days available to get my final grade on each goal. In order to pass the goal and get the points, I have to get at least 80% on that goal. These will be tracked through my spread sheet. 

Passing the challenge completely will be based on whether I'm trying all the way through to the end. If I give up at any time, I fail.

 

Rewards

Will be worked out

 

 

[ShadowLion]

Glad to see your challenge and that you've covered all the bases so well. And you're almost to Super Beast! That is a real accomplishment!

[Sunmage]

Welcome to the druids...

This challenge seems to have lots of people focusing on inner aspects =)

[Ornata]

You can do it, Cap'n! I can't wait to see your progress.

[JazzyM]

@shadowlion I want soda so bad! I'm not going to, but my god, right now is so hard. I just want a root beer.

@sunmage thank you! Maybe it's just that time of year lol

@ornata Thank ye, lass. I be lookin forward teh yer challenge and cheerin ye on. Let's do this!

[starsapart]

Love the challenge.

 

But most importantly....

 

HEDGEHOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Amdhiel]

Ahoy there DreamPirate, fellow Cutlasse stopping by. Looks like you've got some solid plans in place, meditation definitely has helped me with my depression.

 

[JazzyM]

Love the challenge.

 

But most importantly....

 

HEDGEHOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Ahoy there DreamPirate, fellow Cutlasse stopping by. Looks like you've got some solid plans in place, meditation definitely has helped me with my depression.

 

 

Oh my god! Hedgehogs! *squees herself to death*

 

I will one day have a hedgehog!

[I am Eve]

DreamPirate, what can I add?! 

A well-phrased challenge, sensible grading system and hedgehogs!!

Amazing!

 

What kind of meditation are you doing?

[tundralily]

Glad to see you back Jazzy! Love your meditation goal. Its helped me a lot with my depression, especially using a loving kindness tradition. What type of meditation are you doing? 

 

I'll be here cheering you on Cap'n! Have an awesome first week 

 

[Anaticula]

Glad you're back! Looking forward to sailing the seas with you again.  I think you've got some good goals for this round.  Loving the meditation goal, it'll help clear your mind and keep you focused.  I should probably be doing it myself too to help with my depression! Let us know when things get bad for you.  I found out last challenge that posting here even when I had bad days helped me out because everyone here is so encouraging!

[viki]

I'm looking forward to sail with you. I like your Quests and the adorable hedgehog.

I hope you had a good start.

[JazzyM]

DreamPirate, what can I add?!

A well-phrased challenge, sensible grading system and hedgehogs!!

Amazing!

What kind of meditation are you doing?

Thanks. Look below for meditation

Glad to see you back Jazzy! Love your meditation goal. Its helped me a lot with my depression, especially using a loving kindness tradition. What type of meditation are you doing?

I'll be here cheering you on Cap'n! Have an awesome first week

I'm really hoping to get the depression under control. I've never had it hit me so bad.

I have no idea what kind of meditation. I'm new to it all. I found this article and was going to try it. http://life.gaiam.com/article/meditation-101-techniques-benefits-beginner-s-how Any suggestions would be awesome though

Glad you're back! Looking forward to sailing the seas with you again. I think you've got some good goals for this round. Loving the meditation goal, it'll help clear your mind and keep you focused. I should probably be doing it myself too to help with my depression! Let us know when things get bad for you. I found out last challenge that posting here even when I had bad days helped me out because everyone here is so encouraging!

I'm going to try and post here more often. I just go to start writing and end up with "nothing I have to say will matter to anyone." Tis sad.

I'm looking forward to sail with you. I like your Quests and the adorable hedgehog.

I hope you had a good start.

Hedgehogs rule. I plan to hit up your thread if not tonight then tomorrow!

[ElfiKay]

Subbed )

[Anaticula]

I'm going to try and post here more often. I just go to start writing and end up with "nothing I have to say will matter to anyone." Tis sad.

Not true, you matter, so what ever you have to say matters to us, even if it's just a post tiny saying 'today sucked' or a three page easy about how you found new socks and they are the best socks ever. We're here to support one another through the good times, the tough times, and all other times.

[JazzyM]

Not true, you matter, so what ever you have to say matters to us, even if it's just a post tiny saying 'today sucked' or a three page easy about how you found new socks and they are the best socks ever. We're here to support one another through the good times, the tough times, and all other times.

 Aww thanks! <3  I will keep this is mind when I feel like my post is pointless

[JazzyM]

11/10

 

Day one was...  okay. I ate too much, sadly, My friends and I went on a hunt for the Hello Kitty toys they had at McDonalds and went to three different McDonalds and by the end I got myself some fries and an apple pie. I had started the night so well not buying anything and ended up buying food. But! I didn't buy any other kind of food at McDonalds other than the fries and apple pie. I wanted a burger but knew it was bad. So I did have some control. I'm just bad at control.

 

I didn't drink all my water, either. My water bottle spilt in the car and I forgot to refill it. Didn't remember til I went to bed.

 

Meditation was fun. I did it just before I went to bed and just fell asleep, lol. I'll try again tonight.

 

11/11

 

So far so good! I'm going to finish at my calories (possibly just under, haven't added in my last food yet) and drank more than just my 32 oz of water. Haven't hit the bike yet, or meditated. That will come though. I feel a lot more in control now. Looking forward to this!

[Amdhiel]

Thanks. Look below for meditation

I'm really hoping to get the depression under control. I've never had it hit me so bad.

I have no idea what kind of meditation. I'm new to it all. I found this article and was going to try it. Any suggestions would be awesome though

I'm going to try and post here more often. I just go to start writing and end up with "nothing I have to say will matter to anyone." Tis sad.

In case you don't know, the "no one cares" your head tells you is actually your depression lying to you. I'm very familiar with that particular lie because I hear it all the time. Just do your best to tell it to shut up and go on about your business and the times when it gets really loud I'd when you REALLY need to post and reach out. Like Ana said, we care and want to hear how things are going even if it's "my life sucks".

I personally use mindfulness based mediation there is an app called headspace that gives 10 free intro sessions and I've found it to be really helpful. https://www.headspace.com

[Anaticula]

On the positive side, you didn't buy something at each McDonald's you went to, so that counts for something.  Often we get in the habit of saying I'm here I need to buy something even though I'm not hungry.  Plus when you did by something you didn't buy a whole meal, just a few things.  

[Ornata]

You're doing great! It's okay if you can't go cold turkey right off the bat. What matters is that you didn't buy the burger, and (like Anaticula pointed out) you didn't buy something at every McDonald's you visited. I have self-control issues when it comes to snacking, and it's been helping to kind of ease out of it instead of going cold turkey. Maybe you're the same way.

 

Glad to hear the meditation is going well!

 

Also, this is late but it's so not true that no one cares! Look at all the people posting and subscribing in your topic. And the crew of the Barmaid loves you!

[starsapart]

Seconding everyone else's words!  Depression is a cruel jerkface that makes you think no one loves you... and it's not true!  Post anything!!!  We're always glad to hear from you!!!!!

 

And yes, I also second the other folks about small victories.  Giving up McD's is a process - you can get it done, but not in one day.  I believe in you!

[viki]

For meditation, maybe this app is interesting for you, because it is guided meditation made for beginners. 

http://buddhify.com

 

Also, I'm seconding what the others say. Small victories lead to bigger ones, so tell us.

[JazzyM]

In case you don't know, the "no one cares" your head tells you is actually your depression lying to you. I'm very familiar with that particular lie because I hear it all the time. Just do your best to tell it to shut up and go on about your business and the times when it gets really loud I'd when you REALLY need to post and reach out. Like Ana said, we care and want to hear how things are going even if it's "my life sucks".

I personally use mindfulness based mediation there is an app called headspace that gives 10 free intro sessions and I've found it to be really helpful. https://www.headspace.com

 

I hadn't realized it was part of the depression, I thought it was a self esteem thing. Though I guess those two can be pretty closely related. I will do my best to remember this!

 

I've downloaded the headspace app and started it last night! Do you just use the 10 over and over, or have you purchased more?

 

On the positive side, you didn't buy something at each McDonald's you went to, so that counts for something.  Often we get in the habit of saying I'm here I need to buy something even though I'm not hungry.  Plus when you did by something you didn't buy a whole meal, just a few things.  

 

I was very proud that I didn't buy something at every stop! I'm going to chalk this up to a win!

 

You're doing great! It's okay if you can't go cold turkey right off the bat. What matters is that you didn't buy the burger, and (like Anaticula pointed out) you didn't buy something at every McDonald's you visited. I have self-control issues when it comes to snacking, and it's been helping to kind of ease out of it instead of going cold turkey. Maybe you're the same way.

 

Glad to hear the meditation is going well!

 

Also, this is late but it's so not true that no one cares! Look at all the people posting and subscribing in your topic. And the crew of the Barmaid loves you!

 

I think you may be on to something there. I'll try by easing off of it. Really I don't eat out all that often if I can help it. Monday's is a day I go out with my friends and we hit up places for snack and stuff. My will power is the worst, lol.

 

Aww, thank you! <3

 

Seconding everyone else's words!  Depression is a cruel jerkface that makes you think no one loves you... and it's not true!  Post anything!!!  We're always glad to hear from you!!!!!

 

And yes, I also second the other folks about small victories.  Giving up McD's is a process - you can get it done, but not in one day.  I believe in you!

 

Thank you! <3

 

For meditation, maybe this app is interesting for you, because it is guided meditation made for beginners. 

http://buddhify.com

 

Also, I'm seconding what the others say. Small victories lead to bigger ones, so tell us.

 

Aww, I have an andriod and it's not available there, yet. Will keep an eye on it! Thanks for the suggestion!

[Amdhiel]

I hadn't realized it was part of the depression, I thought it was a self esteem thing. Though I guess those two can be pretty closely related. I will do my best to remember this!

 

I've downloaded the headspace app and started it last night! Do you just use the 10 over and over, or have you purchased more?

 

I haven't purchased a subscription yet but I'm thinking that I will. They send out emails when they are doing a discount promo on the subscription fees. If you're looking to save money, there's no reason you couldn't just keep using the intro sessions tho.

 

Depression is a weird and difficult beast. The normal description is having "low mood" for longer than a week or two typically accompanied by decreased or low self-esteem and loss of interest and/or pleasure in things you normally enjoy. My personal experience also includes a very loud negative thought stream or mental sound track whatever you want to call it. I know I've had people mention that this type of thing is also from depression, can't remember if it was from a doctor, book or my sister tho >.<.

[JazzyM]

I haven't purchased a subscription yet but I'm thinking that I will. They send out emails when they are doing a discount promo on the subscription fees. If you're looking to save money, there's no reason you couldn't just keep using the intro sessions tho.

 

Depression is a weird and difficult beast. The normal description is having "low mood" for longer than a week or two typically accompanied by decreased or low self-esteem and loss of interest and/or pleasure in things you normally enjoy. My personal experience also includes a very loud negative thought stream or mental sound track whatever you want to call it. I know I've had people mention that this type of thing is also from depression, can't remember if it was from a doctor, book or my sister tho >.<.

 

I'll see how the 10 days go and decide from there. I really liked the first one, though.

 

Yeah. I've been diagnosed with major depression for almost 10 years now. I usually do pretty well managing it, though. I get the negative thoughts, as well, mostly about how I'm not all that interesting and no one really wants to hear what I did today, because it was boring. Then I compare myself to other people, even though I know that's not a good thing.