Bipolar Questions #7

It's a Wonderful Life

What's your favourite backyard bird to spot?

Always a difficult choice since I adore all birds. I guess in the warmer months it has to be the hummingbirds. Amazing little buggers! In the winter, I guess cardinals. Spring, grackles because they represent spring and have such an endearing call.

Have you ever touched a live bird? If so, what kind?

A peacock I think (aged 4)

Favourite small garden bird?

a sparow

did you ever play truth or dare as a child/ teenager?

Sure. A number of times.

What is one of the crazier things you have done?

when I was mannic once took photos of my naked bottom and posted them to an FB profile (since taken down)

what do you think (in your experience) shows more love. a kiss or a cuddle

Both

Are you a student of English language?

English is always evolving, so I guess all of us who speak English are "students of the English Language".

Have you been pretty busy with chores and such today, or are you having a needed crash day?

crash day

how many foreign languages do you speak?

I speak intermediate level French (five years of high school study plus travel there). Not quite fluent.

I studied Mandarin Chinese for almost six years (four at university) and lived in Taiwan for seven of the months. I've since forgotten way too much, especially the written language.

I have elementary level Czech, but will be studying intensely since I am moving to Czech Republic soon.

What are your parents' ancestral backgrounds?

Father was born in Scotland, mother in England. Both paternal grandparents were Scottish.

Do you like wearing your husband’s shirts - I do sometimes.

I don't have a husband. (I am not sure if I am proud of that fact or not.).

do you remember your first experience online?.

The exact first one? No, but approximate one. I'm 49, so mine dates back a ways. My parents bought my brother a Commodore Vic 20 computer. Back then, the only internet was through universities and military and it didn't look at all sophisticated. I didn't have an account of any sort, but my brother did. He's almost 6 years older than me. He explained it to me a little (I was likely only 10 or 11 years old). I saw him exchange messages with someone or another. I thought it was pretty cool! He was extremely into it. I don't recall when I had my first personal internet account. I suppose in high school. That would have been in the late 1980s. Young people now would likely laugh if they were sent back to that time taking a computer science class. We learned the early history of computers, how basic computers work, and BASIC programming. We also learned computer applications.

How into social media are you?

Facebook is my life. On it constantly through out the day. Check it constantly. Maybe slightly addicted lol. I only do Snapchat to my Mum and Sister. I'm not on Twitter or Instagram or Nything else

Question: How does anxiety affect you? I mean physically (physical symptoms)?

the usual, pounding heart etc

are you having a treat for Halloween?

I doubt it

it would be nice, but from who. will probably just listen to scary music

does halloween/christmas etc mean much to you as a person?, or is it " just another day"

I do celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I stopped going to Catholic mass a long time ago, though. I will admit that I enjoy the holiday more with my husband's family than with mine. In recent years, Christmas dinner became very stressful because of my father's drinking and associated behavior. He is now in assisted living. Last year we went to his assisted living (he's been there more than a year) and it was far from merry. I don't think there will be such a dinner with families there, this year, because of the pandemic. I'm not sure if I will be in the US or Czech Republic this Christmas. I think the latter, so I hope it is a nice celebration. The last time we celebrated there, my mother-in-law was still alive. Since, on Christmas Eve, my husband and I enjoy the evening together as best as we can.

Halloween is no longer that interesting to me. I have no kids and I've sort of lost the excitement for it. We did establish a tradition of lighting our fireplace for the first time on Halloween. That was nice, but it won't happen this year. We need the fireplace clean because of house sale preparations.

Do you celebrate any special day during the year than many people don't? I'm referring to name days, anniversaries of unique events, etc.

Mmmmm unsure lol... I guess I do in a way. My family are very into celebrations. Cause we are Scottish we celebrate the New Year for 3 days (31st, 1st and 2nd) This is a tradition in Scotland. So it's not a personal one. But I am the only one in my group of acquaintances that does this. On 31st Dec we clean the house completely deep clean it, we then have a roast dinner, we use to go to the local pub for say 9pm sit there until the bells ringing 12am toast in the New Year then head to my parents house where we have a family party until 4am ish. Then go round the elderly family members on 1st before going back to my parents for a traditional Scottish New Year's Day meal of Home Made Soup, Steak Pie with all the trimmings and Clootie Dumpling (dessert). Then off to my Aunt and Uncles at night for another party until 3am. Then on 2nd we use to not any more be at a family members house and "first footing" other members of my family. Plus the 1st and 2nd in Scotland are holidays so we as a nation are off from work etc but now a days people work especially supermarkets. Shops are too greedy.

BTW first footing is going to someone's house for the 1st time in the year. You take usually alcohol, biscuits, sweets, gifts of some sort like an ornament etc oh and a traditional calendar. My parents make sure they buy at least 20 local old history calendars and dish them out to the family.

I love my family traditions. I added a new one in the last 10 years. I do a thing for charity on 1st Jan. Its called The New Year Dook. Again this is a Scottish tradition. I live on the coast so we have a river a huge river. We go to there and we jump into the freezing cold water. Its normally roughly -10 degrees if not colder. We raise money for charity and hundreds of people do it and hundreds more watch. We've only had to break the ice in the water a few times lol. The adrenaline rush you get is unreal. I've raised over £1,000 for charity. Dooking just means jumping in the water... I always go right under the water where as a few friends just go up to their chest or neck.

Sorry its probably not what you were hoping for answer wise but that's all I can think of lol

Question: How do you deal with chronic anxiety symptoms? Eg stomach cramps, toilet issues, sweating, slight agitation etc

Exactly what I was hoping for, Miss Laura! It all sounds like great fun and a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. I also like that you add a charitable activity to the holiday. Thanks so much for sharing, Miss Laura. I'll let the next responder answer your question.

Chronic anxiety symptoms? I have mostly dealt with these by taking supplies with me wherever I go (eg tissue packs or even sometimes loo rolls etc). Benzos help (I know these are not always prescribed but they help me and it was a battle to persuade a doctor to prescribe them despite my very severe chronic anxiety). Breathing exercises, meditation etc can help with more moderate anxiety.

Do you find severe anxiety or severe depression more distressing (if you do or have experienced both)?