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SummerOfCA
2 1,528 M Little Steps 5
Have healed a lot, have a lot further to go
PathStep 16 Compassion hearts238 Forum posts63 Forum upvotes113 Current upvotes113 Age GroupAdult Last activeJanuary, 2025 Member sinceDecember 6, 2024
Bio
  • I'm a 39yo cis bi woman, happily married to another woman since 2012. 
  • Have six cats, and live in a very rural, peaceful area in the forests of Northern Alberta, Canada even though I was born and raised in Northern California.
  • Love reading/listening to books (99% of the time I read Lesbian Romances) and playing PC video games (my favs are rdr2, rimworld, oxygen not included, civ 6, stardew valley, grounded, minecraft, any star wars game) and watching shows/movies (West Wing, Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, Band of Brothers, Hamilton, etc)
  • Diagnosed with Complex PTSD and Complicated Grief, from severe childhood trauma, being completely shunned by my whole Jehovah's Witness family, and some other traumatic events involving losing some other very important people in my life from tragedies (car accident, suicide, ghosting after 10 yrs of close friendship).    
  • Deal with daily suicidal ideation (but i am safe and have no intention of self harming at all), depression, rejection phobias, social anxiety, agoraphobia, and physical mobility issues. 






Recent forum posts
SummerOfCA profile picture
to everyone using AI to make forum posts and especially replies, please take this one additional step! Please! you may be doing more harm than good!
General Support / by SummerOfCA
Last post
 January 6th
...See more I've only been in 7cups a few days and i've seen a ton of AI posts and replies in the forums, and i love AI, i use it myself too, it really helps me find the right words especially in tough situations, and i love how easy and simple it lays everything out In Most Situations but if you just simply copy/paste a very clinical outline format (overly correct wording/grammar, headings and bullet points, phrases such as "stop blaming yourself" (like it's that easy))  it can be not just cold and invalidating and shows a lack of compassion or effort, but also it just...doesn't do a good job when it's a random internet stranger who is in a real time of crisis There's something you can do to try and prevent negative feelings getting a plain copy/pasted ai response can cause simply ask the AI, "can you please try again, without the headings and bullet points, i'm trying to sound as authentic and human as possible" and it almost always comes up with something more natural" compare these two "responses" to a generic situation and see if you can spot the differences Generic Situation: "I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed at work lately. My workload has increased, and I’m finding it difficult to keep up with everything. I’m worried I might burn out soon. Does anyone have any advice on how to manage this?" ________________ Your Feelings Are Valid: * It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed when your workload increases unexpectedly. * Recognizing these feelings is the first step towards managing them effectively. Time Management Techniques: * Prioritize Tasks: Identify the most important tasks and tackle them first. This ensures that critical deadlines are met. * Set Realistic Goals: Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable pieces to avoid feeling overwhelmed. * Use Time-Blocking: Allocate specific time slots for different tasks. This can help manage your time more efficiently. Stress Management Strategies: * Mindfulness Practices: Engage in mindfulness exercises such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to reduce stress levels. * Regular Breaks: Take short, regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. This can improve productivity and reduce burnout risk. * Physical Activity: Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Exercise is a natural stress reliever and can boost your mood. Seeking Support: * Communicate with Supervisors: Have an open discussion with your supervisors about your workload. They may be able to provide additional support or adjust your responsibilities. * Build a Support Network: Connect with colleagues who can offer support and advice. Sharing your experiences with others can help alleviate feelings of isolation. * Professional Help: Consider seeking support from a therapist or counselor if you’re feeling overwhelmed. They can offer valuable coping strategies and support. Self-Compassion: * Be Kind to Yourself: Acknowledge that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Give yourself credit for the efforts you’re making. * Set Boundaries: Learn to say no when necessary. Setting boundaries can help protect your time and energy. * Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This can boost your morale and motivation. Conclusion: Managing increased workload and preventing burnout requires a combination of time management, stress management, and seeking support. Remember to be kind to yourself and prioritize your well-being. If you need further assistance, reaching out to a professional can be a helpful step. ________________ ok awesome, now can you give me the very natural human response, without the bullet points and headings, much more authentic feelings? ________________ Hey there, I'm really sorry to hear that you're feeling overwhelmed at work. It’s totally understandable to feel this way when your workload suddenly increases. Feeling like you're on the brink of burnout is really tough, and it's important to acknowledge and validate those feelings. First of all, it’s okay to feel this way. It doesn't mean you’re not capable; it just means you’re human. Everyone has a breaking point, and it sounds like you’re being pushed to yours. Take a moment to breathe and remind yourself that it’s alright to feel overwhelmed. One thing that might help is to prioritize your tasks. It can feel like everything needs to be done right away, but usually, there are a few things that are more urgent than others. Tackling those first can sometimes make the rest of the workload feel a bit more manageable. Also, setting small, realistic goals can help break down the big picture into more digestible pieces. It’s less about doing everything at once and more about making steady progress. Don't forget to take breaks. Even short ones can make a big difference. Step away from your desk, take a walk, do some deep breathing—anything that helps you reset. It’s easy to skip breaks when you’re busy, but they’re crucial for maintaining your productivity and sanity. Talking to your supervisor could also help. Sometimes they might not realize the extent of your workload and can offer support or solutions once they understand what you’re dealing with. It can feel daunting to bring it up, but it’s worth it for your well-being. Lastly, consider leaning on your support network. Friends, family, or even colleagues can provide a sounding board for your frustrations and might offer helpful advice or just a sympathetic ear. If things feel too much, speaking to a therapist could provide you with strategies to manage your stress and work through your feelings. Remember to be kind to yourself. It’s easy to be hard on ourselves when we're struggling, but it’s important to recognize that you’re doing your best. Celebrate your small victories, even if it’s just getting through a tough day. Take care, and hang in there. You’re stronger than you think, and it's okay to ask for help and take the steps you need to protect your well-being. You've got this. ________________ Yes, i totally get there are times and places that having a nicely formatted outline is really helpful and simple and straightforward, i get it, i do.  it can just be read with ease and it's so quick to use to remind ourselves.  But when someone is pouring their heart out in these very painful and desperate posts about their deepest hurts, it's like a slap in the face with a cold dead fish to read a clinical outline ai format in response, and i cringe hard every time.  especially from listeners.  i know we can do better in these specific situations thank you for reading this far, and i appreciate you and all you do and just want to help and i hope you have a great day!  P.S.  here is what the 7Cups Community Forum Guidelines [https://www.7cups.com/community-guidelines/Forum-Guidelines-3c989621981b4b6db6c722d76274b058] has to say about AI specifically  Any violations of these guidelines may be subject to editing or removal by our forum moderation team. The excessive use of artificial intelligence when creating forum content is not allowed. This includes the use of other software and using content from other sites without citing the original author or creator. Purpose of rule:  to ensure 7 Cups remains authentic and supportive to all users whilst maintaining genuine connection and human touch.
SummerOfCA profile picture
aw Noni, she tries
General Support / by SummerOfCA
Last post
 December 15th, 2024
...See more I discovered this site a few days ago, and i'm loving it so far.  it has already been a great source of support and giving me a lot of hope and joy even in this short time.  I can see where it has room for improvement, but overall i think it's wonderfully done and with great intentions and heart and has so many wonderful people in this community. The only thing that gave me a little pause was poor Noni, especially since it was one of our tasks for the day to chat with her.   I'm not going to vent or complain or anything, i just simply wanted to post a little comparison and leave at that.  I'm sorry if this is not the right place or format for this.   Thanks for anyone who has read this and i hope you and yours have a great day! Higher Res Link - I uploaded the image to Google Drive [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wYjZP_4P_4HTofHQkfoSIepz8bpaliLd/view?usp=sharing]
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I want to tell you about "BOPs"
Motivation & Accountability / by SummerOfCA
Last post
 December 18th
...See more I struggle a lot with depression etc, and part of that is total lack of motivation/energy which isn't helped much by my physical mobility issues.  Some days it can be really hard for me to do anything at all.  One thing that has been working for me, is doing what we call BOPs, or little Bursts of Productivity.  it can be anything at all, and for as long or as short as needed, as long as i get moving.  I will usually either set my alarm for every hour, or get up every hour on the hour, and get up for 5-15 mins (sometimes i will go as much as forty mins etc), but even if i don't feel like doing anything, my BOP that hour might just be getting up and walking across the house to the kitchen, and that's all i have the energy for.  Anything at all just to keep me moving.   full disclosure - i still struggle doing BOPs at all on some days (and sometimes a lot of days in a row), but since i broke getting up into little "bite sized" bursts of productivity its been a lot more likely that i do them.   i hope other people are able to benefit from this, and find some hope in knowing you don't need to push yourself to do big goals, even just stretching can be a BOP 
SummerOfCA profile picture
7Cups Community December 2024 Playlist
Music & Dance / by SummerOfCA
Last post
 December 7th, 2024
...See more Hi all!  i'm brand new to the community (just joined yesterday) so thank you in advance for your time and patience and forgiveness if this is already something people do.   I was thinking it would be pretty cool to put together a playlist of music for December made up of song contributions by the 7 Cups Community that anyone is welcome to listen and enjoy! Any and All music is welcome (well, probably except for songs with negative themes), but besides that, anything else!  What does our community sound like this month? 🥰  (I use youtube music for all my playlists, if someone has a better suggestion for a platform please let me know, i'm open to pretty much anything except spotify.)  Youtube Music: 7 Cups Community December '24 Playlist [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGTZ3LhxPC0bRHp9tbCN5ATmuX-8B_srP&si=MRM2ptZkr3vlZIBt]
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@Matt003 would you like to be pen pals?
Pen Pals / by SummerOfCA
Last post
 December 23rd
...See more @Matt003 saw this was a thing on this website and was wondering if you were interested in being pen pals? 
SummerOfCA profile picture
You sound awesome, Tinywhisper!
Pen Pals / by SummerOfCA
Last post
 December 29th
...See more Hi, @Tinywhisper11! i'm brand new to this website, but i've been seeing you all over so many posts and you just seem like an amazing person.  I'm not sure of the etiquette, but i was wondering if you would be interested in chatting with me, but if not, no worries (and really sorry if this is against etiquette), at the very least i wanted to let you know you were seen and appreciated by a random person today who you made smile quite a few times!  Thanks for your time if you've read this far and wish you and your loved ones the best!
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