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Post by Kimberley on Dec 14, 2013 11:08:49 GMT
I need some motivation to do my own, so, I've decided we should all do one. I'm not sure if there's a proper name for these, but a Positive Box should consist of lots of things that make you smile or help you when you're feel low or need grounding. To start with, you'll need a box. A shoebox is the perfect size. Wrap it in pretty paper, wrapping paper, tissue paper, or cut out pictures/quotes you like and stick them all over the box. Paint it, doodle on it, whatever you want. The rest is really up to you. Each of our boxes will be different but I've come up with some ideas below - please feel free to post other ideas. :-) It's recommended you try and put in something for each of the five senses - sight, smell, taste, touch, hear, but the choice is up to you. - Something soft - A piece of old blanket, or an old jumper you loved but no longer fits, to give you a sense of comfort. Why not spray it with a fragrance you love as well?
- Achievements - Every time you achieve something, big or small, write it down and put it in your box. When you next feel low, read back your achievements, and smile.
- Photographs - Photos are amazing. Put in pictures of your family, friends, pets, anything you want, anything that brings back a happy memory for you.
- Treats - Put in a bar of your favourite chocolate or a little bag of sweets or biscuits. Also - why not a tea bag? Herbal tea is great for calming - try chamomile tea to calm anxiety, or peppermint or nettle to calm an anxious stomach.
- Positive and motivational quotes - Write your favourite lyrics on a pretty piece of paper, look on Pinterest for awesome quotes, or write down a speech from someone you find inspiring.
- Toys- A colouring book with a little pack of crayons is mega cheap to buy, and provides you with a good distraction technique. If not, stress balls are good, or even play dough! Tangle toys are brilliant too, and can be bought for about £3 on Amazon.
- Scents - A scented candle is nice to relax you. Otherwise, try calming essential oils, like lavender. Bath salts are a good idea too, and will remind you to take a nice relaxing soak.
- Reminders - Write down a list of things you KNOW will help. Telephone numbers for family and friends so you can just call and have a chat, reminders to put on your favourite CD, a recipe to remind you to bake something you love.
The opportunities are endless, and I think this would be fantastic project for us all.
If you feel like taking part, comment below, and if people are comfortable, we can post pictures of the things we've made. :-)
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Post by becca on Dec 14, 2013 13:38:35 GMT
On a course at a Recovery College we all got given a little box and pieces of paper to write kind things on about each person on the course. I still have mine...can't believe how nice people can be  wasn't just a load of 'you have a nice smile' or 'I enjoyed working with you' it was lovely. I was struggling at the time so carried to box everywhere so its a little broken now :s |
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Post by lucyrob on Dec 14, 2013 13:45:15 GMT
You're on a role with these fabulous posts!
I don't get really down anymore, but I'm definitely up for getting involved and making my own. I think everyone should do this whether they deal with MH issues or not! Beth was showing me hers and talking me through it on hangout a few days ago too...what a coincidence. Love this idea! Keep coming with the fab ideas Kimberley!!
And Becca, I think we're always surprised by how others see us. It's often such a good thing to see ourselves through others eyes. Sounds like it must haave helped if you carried it with you, so these things must be good ideas!
Maybe we should all start writing nice things about each other and sending them. That way, everyone will have positive and heartfelt comments for their box?
Xx
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Post by Beth on Dec 14, 2013 20:12:38 GMT
Thought I'd go through my 'happy box' to help everyone with ideas and stuff. In it I have…
Bubble wrap- to pop when I get angry
Stress ball
Little teddy bear I got when I was born that I sprayed with my mums perfume so it reminds me of her
Pink ribbon that is really soft of a dress my mum go me that doesn't fit me anymore
Photos of family and friends.
Two inspiration quotes that keep me going.
Little Miss Chatterbox book- anyone who has had a hangout with me knows I talk A LOT! This book is from my form tutor from school as a present.
Rosary beads- to fiddle with as I'm quite religious.
Seashell from Whitby that I can listen to.
Wooden stone from my mum that has DREAM on it.
Special smooth stones to fiddle with.
Shiney seashell.
A pebble with glitter and silver paint my brother made for me.
Bath bomb.
Mars bar.- for the rubbish days when chocolate makes you better.
Bath bomb.
Cocktail stick umberella from my friends sixteenth birthday.
Play dough!-pink, orange, yellow and purple with plastic play dough scissors to cut when I want to self harm!
A smelly bag.
A box with three special brackets in- one that I made in hospital, one my friend got me with my name on it and one that I bought on holiday that jingles!
And that's what's in my self soothing box! It is meant to help with self harm urges and suicidal thoughts.
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Post by MissBlack on Dec 14, 2013 21:51:33 GMT
I have one of these and I am pretty sure it would help anybody who hasn't got a comfort box to go ahead and put one together! My box includes: - Bubbles (small one)
- Bubble wand
- Candles
- Crayons
- DVDs
- Glitter jar (made it myself)
- Harry Potter stuff
- Pack of green cards with things I can do on them, such as one of them says go get a cup of tea and the other one says sleep NOW
- Play dough
- Some items from Boots
- Stuff for cutting
All of this is under padlock and key....
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Post by Kimberley on Dec 15, 2013 0:14:08 GMT
This is FANTASTIC - thank you SO much to you all who have shared your hints and tips or what's in your box.
Would anyone feel comfortable sharing a photo? Of course this is COMPLETELY optional as I can appreciate they must be very personal.
I need to get myself a box - ASAP!!!
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Post by Michaela on Dec 15, 2013 14:26:22 GMT
Been wanting to to one of these for a while, it's great to get ideas from what everyone else has! Going to buy a box when I next can and get on this! Beth I love that you have play dough! And I need to get me some bubble wrap!  Lovely thread, will post my pics when I start it xx |
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Post by Kimberley on Dec 15, 2013 15:51:19 GMT
Can't wait to see your box Michaela!
Anyone else had any progress with their box?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2013 16:41:13 GMT
I totally love the idea of this, I think I might start doing this, along with getting myself a positivity note board as well to hang in my kitchen Brilliant post, Thank You for sharing it with us Kim <3 xx |
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Post by lucyrob on Dec 15, 2013 18:06:57 GMT
Definitely doing mine in January when I have time |
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Post by mia on Dec 15, 2013 23:08:20 GMT
Awww Kim this is BRILLIANT!!! I'm definitely going to do this, like Lucy I'll start it in January. I can collect a few things over christmas, and then it'll give me something nice to do in January when I know I'll be feeling crap. Thanks so much for sharing this!
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Post by Michaela on Dec 20, 2013 16:17:01 GMT
Thought I'd let you know what I've got in case anyone else needed motivation  Can't add them as attachments for whatever reason, so here's my dropbox link: www.dropbox.com/sh/s6g41xv1y1nf55k/zbRFsT7ppvSo far I have: - "Up" DVD - such a feel good film!
- Pattern pad I found from when I was younger - something to do with my hands as a SH distraction
- Childhood memories - old photos, a postcard, a letter my mam wrote to me, a short story my mam wrote for my brother and me
- Sketchbook and graphite for drawing
- Yankee candle - salted caramel (my favourite!)
- Hand and foot cream
- Nail Varnish
- Mikados - a treat, but that I won't eat straight away!
- Options Additions hot chocolate that Kim suggested! (Thought it was on this thread but turns out it was the New Years Eve one)
- List of my favourite motivational quotes
- List of achievements
- USB drive with relaxation videos and music on
Haven't actually finished yet, there are a couple of things in my uni house that I can't add until I go back and I don't actually have a box yet so this is all just in a carrier bag atm! Managed to cover all of the senses There are genuinely so many things I could include though, think I'm going to need a big box
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Post by Kimberley on Dec 28, 2013 21:31:12 GMT
Eeek sorry everyone, what with the Christmas hustle and bustle I haven't been on MLO forums much! It's great to see so many people want to get involved. Have we all managed to find a few things over Christmas then?
Now is a good time to hit the sales and get a Christmas gift box on the cheap. :-) You can cover it in paper if you don't want it too festive!
Would love to hear how you're all getting on. :-)
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Jess
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Post by Jess on Jan 27, 2014 20:57:45 GMT
Such a good idea. I love the idea of bubble wrap though, simple but effective |
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Post by klairebear on Jan 27, 2014 23:20:22 GMT
brill idea. will start this as soon as i buy a pair of shoes lol
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wasn't just a load of 'you have a nice smile' or 'I enjoyed working with you' it was lovely. I was struggling at the time so carried to box everywhere so its a little broken now :s
Lovely thread, will post my pics when I start it 
