[sdguy123]

A self-care box is a box of things that can help calm you down when you're feeling sad, anxious, upset, etc. It's a way of being able to immediately go to a box of things that make you feel good when you're not in the mindset to think of what those things are. I'm in the process of making one now and thought it might be a good idea for others as well.

What will/would you put in your self-care box? A few things in mine are:

- a journal
- a book
- tea
- positive quotes
- phone numbers of close friends
- bubble bath
- dark chocolate

[glok]

Hello, sdguy123. Thanks for sharing. I will have to put some thought into this.

[bleutamales]

Good idea sdguy. I think I'd put:

-peanut butter cups
-pedicure kit
-PJs
-Notes from my 6yo about how much he loves me
-tapes of my 20 yo's punk band
-fuzzy socks
-an ativan hidden hidden in one of the fuzzy socks that hopefully I'll forget about so it can be a wonderful surprise

Still thinking...

[manymiles]

Things I'd like in a personal box

-Tea
-Fancy Journal and fancy pen
-scented candle (overprotective me - have kids don't burn them in our house usually)
-Pictures of myself when I was healthy.
-List of good character traits I have.
-List of my accomplishments
-List of emotional things I have overcome and made it through. (ex having surgery
absolutely alone, reaching out for help)
-Picture of art and pictures of beautiful landscapes
-earplugs
-chocolate
-motivating quotes
-Note with each loved ones name, there good qualities and how I'd hurt them if I go.
-Runners World and Oprah mag (never get chance to read them)

All in a locked box so my little ones wouldn't take over my box
Also still thinking and thanks for encouraging me to do so with this post!

[Dix888]

This is a Great idea! I'd put dark chocolate, favorite book, favorite DVDs, my cats (ha, they'd never stay in a box) & cards from my husband

What will/would you put in your self-care box? A few things in mine are:

- a journal
- a book
- tea
- positive quotes
- phone numbers of close friends
- bubble bath
- dark chocolate[/quote]

[Sometimes psychotic]

This is a fantastic idea...

Mine will have

Grapefruit bath salts
Peppermint hot cocoa mix
Nutella
A book of puzzles and games.
Something pretty like crystals and rocks.
LED candles
A "permission slip" to buy ten new songs on iTunes
And whatever I decide to steal from other people lists

[sdguy123]

I'm loving the replies so far. I've gotten a few more ideas for mine as well. Keep them coming!

Fabulous idea, hon! Hmmmm.....thinking.....thinking

Rasberry hot chocolate.
Miracle Foot Repair Cream
DVD of 'Serenity'
Aveeno
copy of 'The Prophet'
small bottle of Obsession perfume
bag of midnight Milky Way bites
incense
favorite romance novel
pretty notebook and pen
pictures of my pets
gold stars for my notebook

And anything that sounds good from someone elses box!

[ceramichornets]

WARNING! Might be triggering.

I hate to draw attention to myself on this thread, but I honestly don't know what I would put in my box. I've already got a box under my couch, but to me it's known as my "suicidal box", and it's full of the last things I want to see before I kill myself. I've had it for so long that I often forget it's there until I'm foraging around for something. Anyway, dismantling that box and making one for only positive things makes me extremely uncomfortable, even though I'm not currently suicidal. I thought I could make a new box with happy stuff in it, but then I realized that most of it would be coming from my suicidal box in the first place. Any suggestions on what I should do?

Hi Ceramichornets-

I agree that it is time to dismantle that old box. It can't be that important to you anymore if you forget it is there most of the time. Maybe dump the old box on the bed and take out only the things you want in the new box. Then throw it and all it's contents away.

Find a pretty new box and put the things you want to save in there. Then you can add more things that are more like rewards-things good to smell and eat and feel on your skin. Music and books you love. (Oh, I forgot music. I will have to add Chopin and DeBussey to my list.)

Perhaps you can join us in the Back Pocket Pledge. Look under 'We wish everyone would red this' in Generl Medical. It may not be your thing right now, but it might give you some good idea's.

Time to let go of the old and welcome in the new. It's obvious you have turned a corner somewhere and maybe you don't even recognize it yet-maybe one day you will just think-I don't need a suicide box anymore because I'm not going to let the trickster have me.

Peace and love, Tea