The Grove of a Spruce Tree 🌲
Hello! You can call me Spruce. I just discovered this interesting diary entry section of 7 Cups, and this is something I’ve been looking for. I need a place where I can spill out all of my thoughts without criticism, and that’s not something I can really rely on through 1:1 chats (even though I haven’t been here for that long, it’s my upfront impression).
I would prefer to keep this as a space for myself, but if anyone would like to send supportive comments for my post, just dive right in! I don’t mind at all 😊
So for anyone who may be reading this, there may be some rough topics such as family stress, severe self-hate, and some pretty graphic flashbacks (but not too graphic). I will try my best not to make this an inappropriate space, but I just wanted to give a heads up just it case it starts getting to that point.
Donuts are in full supply at all times, so feel free to grab a snack when you travel by 😊 And feel free to greet me when you’re here - I absolutely love meeting new people, and I want to build my support group here on 7 Cups ❤️
This song reallyyyyyy touched my heart 🥺 ❤️❤️❤️ Gotta keep rising - don’t let people bring you down, no matter what 🤗 ❤️
@selflessSpruce1515
gonna rise, rise rise rise rise till we fall (😪)💖
love that song
The Voice of the Phoenix
In the chamber,
Filled with darkness and despair,
We dwindle into our shadow,
Haunted in our dreams.
Our voices — vanished,
Our hearts — shattered,
Where will we go from here?
No one knows…
But within the darkness,
There is this voice,
A small, fragile voice,
Trying to reach us.
We’ve built walls,
Barriers to the outside,
Scared to get hurt again,
Fearful of the unknown.
But there is a crack,
A seemingly-insignificant fault,
In the barrier of silence.
The voice finds it’s way,
Into the barrier,
And fills our ears,
With sounds long forgotten.
Happiness and laughter,
Pleasure and harmony,
Recovers the voices,
Repairs the hearts,
Of the Lost ones.
With regained strength,
We ruptured the barrier.
Although made of steel,
The power of the voice,
Gave us more resilience,
More power than ever known.
We rose from the ashes,
Like a Phoenix,
With glorified feathers,
And a replenished heart.
Welp, maybe there is someone who I used to be in love with that I miss deeply... 🥲 *hugs self* 🥺 This song reminds me of them... :')
But it's also a really beautiful song, even though it's a bit sad ❤️❤️❤️ It's a song of rediscovery, love, understanding, and acceptance, so that's what makes it so meaningful, I have to say 🤗 ❤️❤️❤️
Happy May 4th, also known as Star Wars Dayyyyyyy! ❤️❤️❤️
^ Okay, I know it’s not even close to Christmas, but how cute is thisssssss 😭❤️
And I have one question: Why in the world isn’t there a lightsaber emoji? 😮
May the 4th be with you, everyone, and stay sprucyyyyy! 😛😛
tw: light details of flashbacks/nightmares, severe self-hate, dysphoric feelings, harsh family stress, emotional neglect
It's a bit early for an entry right now, but I just feel like I have a lot to get off my chest.. :')
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Today was a mostly not-so-good day, and for a lot of reasons. 🥲 I woke up with a headache that felt like my whole skull was getting squeezed (it isn't the first time that happened, by the way, but it affected me more than usual), and I was crying. I had this really bad nightmare, but I won't go into too much detail, but the root of the nightmares were loneliness, fear, and anticipation.. they weren't super bad, but it definitely caused my day to start on a bad footing.
It's the first time in a while that I didn't eat too much, and I was feeling like absolute trash for most of the day...I just wish today didn't happen - I was crashing so much, and really wished my body could just poof. I hated myself soooooo much, and I wish I could just hide in a comfy pillow fort...I don't want to feel anything, experience anything...just be in the comfort of the darkness of my room..
I mean, it wasn't as bad as my usual depressive episodes are, but I just wish I never had to experience these feelings...these memories...this life. It's so hard to keep going when nothing irl is providing me a purpose.. But even though my brain thinks that it's easier to just give up, I keep trying...I'm surprised I can even be positive during times like these, but I guess it's just ingrained in me. I actually hate that part of me right now, since it just reminds me of how miserable I am...but it's also the better part of me that I love. It's complicated, and I don't even know what to think about any of this..
I guess I should talk about the main root of why my depressive stage started: my parents' persistent arguing and manipulation.. My parents essentially don't want to talk to my brothers because they are rebellious and seem not to care about anyone except themselves. But then, my parents just think they could lash out about them in front of me, and eventually get me involved, thinking that I'll just turn into them and that there's no use of trying to be around me...that's really why I'm just losing hope.. I feel like I'm turning into them based on how my parents treat me, and I just don't know what to do.. I guess I should just ignore them...there's really no point in talking about my feelings with them, because apparently my feelings don't matter. I've experienced this kind of emotional neglect since I was 5, so this isn't anything new...but with these strong feelings that come with being a teenager.. I'm just sick of it. They never truly cared about my achievements...how hard I had to work to keep up with everything and everyone, and it's frustrating...how I barely had a social life, and had to live with the fact that I was an outsider and an easy target of bullying and slander. It's really sick, and it's hard for me to even be around my parents after how they treated and neglected me.. Will I ever really forgive them? Probably not, but I'll have to deal with them no matter what so...yeah 🥲
And now, on top of that, my mom's condition is deteriorating due to an overwhelming amount of stress. I won't be specific on the condition, but it's pretty bad...there's nothing I can do, and- I'm just so lost...I love my mom beyond words, and she's been the victim of way too much abuse...I want to be there for her, but I've been so distant lately and I feel like I'm betraying her...do I even deserve to be her child (I wonder that sometimes 🥲)? I'm just so tired of everything...all the time. I'm barely happy, and my environment is impacting me soooooo much 😭 What am I going to do? How can I deal with this for 2 more months...
But, I have to stay strong...not just for everyone else, but for me ❤️ I can overcome this, no matter what happens...even if I have to take risks just to save myself and my family...I will do it, no question, even if it's a sacrifice ❤️ I want to be courageous and use my wisdom for the good of society and for the good of myself, because I know I can get out of this phase. I have the resources, support system, and the will-power. I just have to believe in myself...that's the problem. *yeets my self-hate* I can do this...you can do this, Spruce 😌✨✨
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It was great to end this entry on a good note - it's important to give myself confidence, especially after venting all of that. ❤️ As always, have a good day/night, everyone, and I'll see you all tomorrow! 👋 ❤️
@selflessSpruce1515 * hugs to you* you're stronger than you know. Spruce trees are resilient. There's a spruce tree in Sweden that's allmost 10,000 years old! So cool. I grow spruce trees here - I get seedlings and grow them until they're about 3 ft tall and then plant them in the woods - Idk if I ever told anyone here that before lol
*shutting up now* Good night Spruce :)
You know that song that feels like it's on your wavelength? This is definitely that kind of song 🤗 ❤️
It brings back memories about the past, but not like any other song I've encountered - while looking at certain negative events in the past, the song reminds me that I shouldn't let these events affect my future. Gotta keep dreaming and live for the moment! ✌️😌 ❤️
---
Time for another early entryyyyyy ✌️😛
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I don't really have much to talk about today, but I think it was a pretty good day overall! Even though I was pretty numb for the whole morning (really due to some pretty bad things happening last night :/), my feelings started coming back after an amazing lunch 😌 (a toasted bagel with a baked salmon spread-- delishhhh 🥰 And of course, I couldn't have it without my left-over mint tea 😛😛😛) They were not-so-bad feelings, but I did have some pretty vivid flashbacks. :') But the flashbacks were very brief, so I was able to recover and think more positively after a nice meditation session. 😌
Also, I finallyyyy submitted an assignment for my online school (which won't even count, but that's a whole other story 🥲), and I actually felt really good after that---like I actually *accomplished* something 😀 I'm trying to finish up one more assignment before the weekend so I will have time to just chill ❤️ (if I could...I'm praying that I won't have to witness any more arguments or manipulative attempts this weekend 🙏)
Welp, I'm kind of feeling a bit strange right now :') (probably because of a possible gender change, likely to non-binary) 🥲 But it's okayyyy, I'll be fine 😌 I will always be fine in the end, because I won't let anything bother me---not right now 😀
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That's really it actually :/ I'm not really sure what else to talk about, so I'll end it here 😀 Take care, everyone, and talk to you all tomorrowwww ❤️❤️❤️
✨ A lovely reminder for myself and my dear friendsies 🤗 ❤️ ✨
❤️ Tagging my cherished friendsies: @Angelx28 @Sunisshiningandsoareyou @emotionalTalker2260 @Everlee @coldbreeze00 @mytwistedsoul @fearfearfear @BookishBlue13 @AGuardianAngel @Wheeki16 @CallMeScott @JennyINFP @SystemFireSkye @CupoSad076 @DonaldDraper @FreddieOnyx @jv13076 @BlueDarkAurora @TryingTBH2021 @taylorhugs12 @elli025 ❤️
@selflessSpruce1515
Awwww Sprucey, your thoughtfulness clearly knows no bounds. I appreciate you so so so much. ❤ Thankyou for these lovely reminders and in general, for blessing us, being your fantabulous self. Sending lots of love, hugs and you know? :P yes Haha, Caramel ice creammmmm. 🤗
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Awww, Sunny Sunnn! I don't think I need to explain how much I appreciate you, because I already wrote an essay about it in *your* thread 😛 I absolutely love seeing everyone smile from my reminders (and for my presence to be so loved 😌), and I can imagine you smiling tooooo 🤗 ❤️
*tons of hugs and shares caramel ice creammmm* 🍨 🤗 ❤️
@selflessSpruce1515
Aw haha xD riiiiight the essay I haven't been able to reply to even because the kindness is just a whole lot to handle at once and ummm xD the happy tears just won't stop smh, can't type too well with blurry eyes, now can we? :P
Those are however, the sweetest words ever and I cannot thank You enough for always seeing me in such good light, making me feel so loved and special, Sprucey. 😭❤
Ofcourseeee *you* *are* *loved*, so so much, dear. And hehe yessss, you do always make me (and everyone around smile so much) ~ Spruca: The SmileSpreader. ❤
You deserve all things happy too, lovely. 🤗 *hugs hugs hugs hugs and keeps hugging*
And yay *noms ice cream* 🥰 (smiling even more now 😛)
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Awwwww ❤️ *passes tissues* Welcome to the emotional club 😛✨
And of courseeee, I love viewing you (and so many other people) from the good light, because you deserve it soooooo much ❤️ Don't you think for a second that I don't see how much positivity you spread in everyone's forum threadssss 🤗 ❤️
And oooo, I like that 😛 *Spruca: The Smile Spreader* - so creativeeeeee ❤️❤️❤️
@selflessSpruce1515
Aw haha *takes the whole box* xD and *finds a comfy spot in the extreme corner of the emotional club* 😛
I know you do. (So do youuuu, Spruceyy) ❤ andd hehe *gets shy* ~ and well well, right back atchaaa, nothing goes amiss by Sunny either ;) ❤
I see you seeing me and many others, and I love seeing you see me and many others. (Tongue twister much? xD) 🤗
Anddd I know right 😮 that could totally be your *the* title hehe. *smiles wide*
@selflessSpruce1515
😛 Love the tongue twister, and your never-ending kindnessssss 🤗 ❤️
And maybe it will be my title 😛😛 *adds this memory to my biooooo* 😌 ❤️
And, of course, I send the wrong tag xD -> @Sunisshiningandsoareyou
(But you don't even need to be tagged, because you know where my grove is 😛)
@selflessSpruce1515
Awww hehe, so sweet. ❤
Yes indeed, I do know the bestest grove around here. 😛
Omigosh a bio mention for the title 🥺 yayyy, I'm grateful to share this sweet moment with you, Sprucey and I really hope, on days you need a reminder to smile for yourself, these collected moments ~ memories for a later day, make you smile super wide and may time stand still, when you smile the widest. *hugssss* 🤗
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Awwww, I definitely have my reservoir of pleasant memories here on cups that bring loads of comfort during the difficult days ❤️❤️❤️ (but this memory is suchhhhh a sweet one, omg 😭)
*hugsssssss* 🤗 ❤️❤️
^ Aww, it has a beautiful sun toooooo 😌 ❤️ ✨
@selflessSpruce1515
Awww I'm really glad you have it, we can all use an endless supply of comforting memories, reminders of all things good in and around us. ( aw hehe it is vvv sweet for me too ❤) 🤗
*hugsssssss back tightlyyy*
Omigoodness, so very true and yay lol it has a sun in it. 🥺🤧❤
I'm too close to nomming you now lol 🤣 ---- *2 seconds later*
*noms sweet sprucey* 😛
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Wow, I'm not surprised, to be honest 😭 The first person to ever nom me was @Angelx28, and once I'm nommed, I can't stop being nommed apparently (I guess I'm just *that* nommable 🥲) xD
So welp 😀 *is nommed by the bright rays of the Sunny Sunnnn* 😛 ❤️
@selflessSpruce1515
Hahaha you're adorable 😛 and vvvvv nommable too, yes and yes! 🥰
@Angelx28 and I clearly have good "taste" it seems 😂
(alsoooo --- dove 🕊 ya and miss ya lots lovely Angelll🤗💖)
Awww @Angelx28
*is nommed by a lovely Angel* XD
💖 *hugssssss* 💖
@selflessSpruce1515 How beautiful it is to have the strength to not only be able to lift yourself up but others as well <3 Thanks ^-^
@BlueDarkAurora
Awww, it's wonderful to see the wonderful Aurora again! 🤗 I really needed to see this (since I'm a bit uneasy right now :/), so thank you sooooooo much *hugs* ❤️❤️
@selflessSpruce1515 Yes u-u<3 Your wonderful awesomeness pulled me back here ^-^ hugs ^-^
I really hope that you soon be able to find more time away from things that are stressing you cause sometimes a little time away is all we so badly need. I read your post and I don't think you handled things immaturely, how can kids act like adults when even the adults themselves don't. It's not easy to keep your cool during such situations and yet you manage to do it and I love how you know what you need to do to calm yourself and recover <3 I just feel so proud of you for how you comfort yourself and how you support others, it's like you are wholeheartedly focused on planting new flowers in your garden despite the heavy rain, storm or drought, you even keep the gates open for anyone who needs to come inside. I am sure the universe is happy cause it has someone like you.
Everything will be okay :)
@selflessSpruce1515
*hugs* 😮💖
@emotionalTalker2260
😮 Emooooooooooooo *hugsssss* ❤️❤️❤️
@selflessSpruce1515
emo was a sleepy bean when they answered 😔 sorry me couldn’t say too much lol. *hugs sprucie* 😮💖
@emotionalTalker2260
Aww, that’s okay! Good morning to youuuu 🤗 ❤️ *hugsss* ❤️
@selflessSpruce1515
*Hugs hugs*
❤ @selflessSpruce1515 ❤
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Omg, Sunny Sunnnn 😭 You just want the water works to come back, don't ya? 😀 Love yaaaaa 🤗 ❤️
@selflessSpruce1515
*shares tissues* 😛
Awww🥺 love ya moreeee🤗
(I wanted to share this a couple of days ago actually haha, I'm not sure if the text looked blurry on my screen or if the image is a bit blurry as it is lol, so I wanted to create a graphic post myself with these same words ~ fast forward lol, Ive been a little caught up off cups so couldn't do it sooner ~ and well, right in this moment, I couldn't delay sharing it with lovely Sprucey.) 🤧❤
I found the message in this image really touching, it encompasses how I *see* you, beautiful inside out. 💖
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Awwwwwwwwwwwww 🤧 😭 ❤️
(And for me, it's always the thought that counts, and seeing that you wanted to make the post extra special reallyyyyy warms my heart ❤️❤️❤️ And those beautiful words- I'm speechless 😭 ❤️ I can understand when we need to focus on our offline lives every once in a while, so it's totally okay ❤️❤️❤️ No need to apologize to this spruce tree 😌 ❤️)
And oh my goshness, Sunny Sunnnn 🥲 ❤️ And you tell me that I have no bounds to my thoughtfulness and kindness- look who's talkinggggg *hugsssssss* 🤗 ❤️
@selflessSpruce1515
❤ *cries with and keeps hugging* ❤
Seee? "for me, it's always the thought that counts" ~ clearly not surprised at alllll, Sprucey. Again for you it may not be something as special, just a *you* thing, something that comes to you effortlessly ie. being utterly thoughtful, generous, kind, compassionate, benignant, *you*. 🥰 Thankieeees really.. (truth be told, I had a feeling you'll say something like that lol😊)
@selflessSpruce1515
Aww I understand and relate hehe, you're allowed all your time and pace to process it, dear. ❤ *sits with you and hugsssss*
This is something I said to another friend here, and I'll share it with you too, you deserve the Ocean of all things love and happiness and all things wonderful, it may get overwhelming and you may struggle to swim, but this ocean will keep overflowing and there's no way out for you from this ever-growing love, so best way forward? Learn to swim and keep afloat (all at your own time and pace always, we never have to rush) I can help you float, but I'm not letting you out of this ocean of love ever. ❤
Andddd you deserve many more and every single of these "made" days. 🤗 *hugs hugs hugs*
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
That's so beautiful, omg 🥺 ❤️❤️❤️ (and now I'm able to process it 😛😛) The message applies to your compassionate and lovely self tooooooo 🤗 ❤️ You're always there to send beautiful messages and reminders that make us all feel so special and loveddddd ❤️❤️❤️ Seeing such care and empathy from a wonderful hooman bean like you really changed the way I viewed humanity (I'm not joking - you were one of a few people on here who really opened my heart to trust again after so long 🥲 ❤️) I can never express to the fullest extent how much I appreciate you, because it would be every positive adjective in the dictionary and moreeeee 😭 ❤️
(Wow, did you notice how this is turning into a compliment war? 😀 Love itttttt 🤗 ❤️)
@selflessSpruce1515
Awwww you don't need to express anything hehe, but this really means alot to me, thankyouu, Spruceyy, I'm very proud of you for trying and I'm super grateful to know you here and be your friendsieee! *sending lots of love wrapped in warm hugs* 🤗💖
(And Haha I did lol, love compliment wars too *high-five* 😛)
tw: mention of the word bl**d, a more specific description of my neuro condition, panic attacks
:') I feel so weird.. 😀 I literally cannot stop shaking and I'm colder than usual :/ I mean, 10 minutes ago, I came back from getting a bl**d test, and I-I almost fainted 🥲 Heh, I think I feel a panic attack coming, but I know how to cope with it so I should be fine...but I just feel so mentally unstable, I'm not even sure how long the panic attack will last :') I think that infuriated my neuro condition, because at this point, I can't even move properly and I'm twitching awfully :/ I'm kind of scared right now...will something so small as a bl**d test cause a depressive episode, since I'm feeling like such a mess? 🥺 Ugh, I don't know, but I don't like this... :/
I guess I just need a hug and to know that everything will be okay... :')
@selflessSpruce1515 *big hugs* ❤️ um - have you ever tried to relax by using visualization? It might help with the tension in your body and maybe help your twitches. I blow up balloons - its all in my head lol but I picture blowing up balloons with a tire pump. I time it with my breathing. You lay down and close your eyes and picture filling the balloons with any tension or anxiety or even pain. You pull up the handle of the tire pump - it pulls the tension from your body. Push down and it fills the balloon. It can take some practice and I mean - it's just some thing that helps here. No pressure to try it or anything ok? It does sound kind of weird to do lol
*leaves another big hug* it'll be ok ❤️
@mytwistedsoul
Soulllll ❤️❤️❤️ *hugsssss* Thank you so much for the suggestion! I've actually heard of different visualization techniques, and there's one that I've come up with that has helped me in the past (and really worked this time, which was good 😊) It's more of an imagery method where I think of a pleasant place and absorb my surroundings with every sense, and it gave me the chance to calm down in a tranquil place of my choice. ❤️ I've actually heard of the method you were mentioning, like you're basically imagining that you're filling something with any tension that you're feeling and you feel such a relief as the anxiety gets released into that place, such as a balloon. 😊
I really appreciate you sending hugs and the method, because that means so so so soooooooo much ❤️❤️❤️
@selflessSpruce1515 Hey that's great! ❤️ I'm really glad you have one that works for you and that it helped this time. It makes a big difference when there's something that can help - even if its just part of the time. Yay you! 😊 Maybe take it easy today or tonight? Rest relax and do things that help you be calm - even if its just for alittle?
@mytwistedsoul
Yeah, I think a break is pretty necessary ❤️ Tensions have been pretty high in my world lately, so getting the chance to do something that is pleasurable and calming will definitely help me cope 😊 Thanks a lot, my dear friendsie 🤗 ❤️
@selflessSpruce1515 You're very welcome! ❤️ I hope you have a nice evening 😊