Dear Therapist (Letter #2)

I suggest you start this series at the beginning here.

Dear Therapist,

I have started implementing your suggestion to track my emotions. While I was looking up ways to track emotions, I uncovered this thing called a Bullet Journal. Have you heard of it? Anyway, it's like a to-do list, a planner and a regular journal. I'm using it to keep track of what I need to do, and my emotions. Like this:

Sunday Bullet Journal entry.

A lot of the Bullet Journals are very beautiful, decorated with stickers and drawings. I'd love to be able to do that, but I don't have the time or the talent.

You asked me about my dream job. Well, I really don't know. I would have loved to have done something creative...writing, painting, sculpting, music, but I have absolutely zero talent for those types of things. When I was a child, I really wanted to be a veterinarian. I'm definitely not smart enough for that, though!

View from my hallway.

Here are the other pages of my journal with my other emotion trackers:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Yeah, Wednesday was a little bit stressful. The utility box has been acting up in my apartment. I keep losing power, and it keeps sparking. I think I also have a rat problem. I called the landlord, which was also pretty stressful.

Fried utility box and dripping pipes. UGH!!!

I got a promotion. I'm now an office assistant. I'm in charge of supplies, so I get to make important decisions like how many boxes of paperclips we might need in the near future.

Since things were pretty stressful, and I got a promotion, I rewarded myself with some pizza.

Pizza!

I'm an awful cook, so this was a pleasant change of pace!

Anyway, that's all for now, I'll write again soon.

I'm overwhelmed by all the people who want to help Kaye! This is going to be a wonderful experience, and I'm so excited! Thank you for participating. Every response means so much! <3

Dear Therapist (Sims Bujo & Self-care Challenge)

I suggest you start this series at the beginning here.

Dear Therapist, 

First off, I'd like to apologize. I have no idea what I'm supposed to be writing really. They just told me at the clinic that I should submit at least one entry to this address per week. I'm not even sure if I started the entry correctly.

The clinic assigned me this task because I've been feeling sick a lot recently, but they can't find any disease or anything. I was told it is because of my anxiety and depression. I have to admit, I'm a bit skeptical. I think I'm doing okay. Sure, life has been hard lately, but I'm managing. It's not like I've attempted suicide, or had some sort of mental crisis. I'm fine. But, I'm willing to try anything to make myself feel better. And, it can't hurt I guess.

I live in a small apartment in San Myshuno. I moved here recently when I got a job in the mailroom of Dewey, Cheatem & Howe. It's not great, but it pays the bills. I pretty much spend most of my time by myself sorting mail. I like not having to interact with strangers. I live by myself- no roommate, no pets, no boyfriend. It can get a bit lonely, but it suits me fine.

I don't have time for much of a social life. I don't know where all the time goes, but I always have things to do. On the rare occasion that I have some time, I like to read. 

So, I guess that's it for now. Oh, they told me I could send photos. I'm not sure what photos you'd want, so any suggestions for the future would be welcome.

This is me in front of the elevator at my apartment building.

And this is my hallway.

This is my living room.

And that's my kitchen down there.

Alright...that's all I have. Let me know what I should do next.

Thank you,

Kaye

A/N: The Bullet Journal will show up in the next post.

Maggie Moyer #23

Marcus, Maggie's friend, invited Maggie to the gym to work out. While she was there, Maggie introduced herself to several people she hadn't met yet. She met a lovely couple, Brant and Brent, who work out together. Maggie got along well with them both. She hopes it's the start of a new friendship!

Maggie talking to Brent and Brant.

New Bullet Journal Challenge with a Self-Care Twist!

Because of my ongoing love for Bullet Journals, I've decided to do another attempt at a Bullet Journal challenge. Thanks to a lot of encouragement from the Sims 4 forum community and some readers, I've come up with a story idea that I'm super enthused about.

I'm going to take my original "If My Sim had a Bullet Journal" challenge idea and add to it a separate but related Self-Care challenge. As someone who has made a lot of progress in dealing with anxiety and depression over the last year, it is something that I am very passionate about.

Here is what I'm doing for this challenge:

1) I've created a Sim that has three traits that might cause her to become tense. For example, if my Sim had the "ambitious" trait she might become tense if she hadn't been promoted for a while. I'm specifically not going to tell you which traits she has. 

2) Next, I created a list of 10 rules that represent her anxiety and depression. These are self-imposed rules that she has established for herself that set unreasonable expectations. In my personal experience, a lot of anxiety stemmed from the demands I was putting on myself. Once again, I won't be sharing what exactly these are, you'll see why in a minute. 

3) In order to eliminate these rules, she has to earn satisfaction points (a mechanic already in the game). When she hits a certain level of satisfaction, she can spend the points to earn a reward trait (in game) and eliminate one of the rules that I set. 

4) With all the rules she has, earning any satisfaction will be very challenging, and that's where her online therapist will come in. YOU, my dear readers, will play the therapist. Each week, you will be encouraged to comment with suggestions on self-care activities my Sim can do. We will have a poll that will determine which self-care activity she explores that week.

5) Since you don't know the rules or traits, there is a bit of a mystery here in terms of what she needs to do. You can use the clues from her letters to you and her bullet journal to help you decide how to best help her.

There are SO many suggestions you can make for self-care! OH so many that are entirely doable in the game. Keeping track of emotions? Sure! Gratitude log? Sure! Day off? Sure! Adopt a cat? Sure! Writing out her goals? Yep! Travel? Of course. Spa day? Sure thing! 

You can also ask her questions to find out more information, and she'll address them in subsequent letters.

So, what do you guys think? I'm excited!

Maggie Moyer #22

Maggie was even further shocked by this kitty's stunning attire! She really wanted to befriend him (her?) but sadly, he ran off before she was able to properly introduce herself. Maggie hopes he stops by again, as she is very intrigued by this cat.

Fancy cat.

Maggie Moyer #21

Where did all of these cats come from? How did they get in? Where do they belong? Maggie had so many questions flying through her head. What should she do with them all?

Cats everywhere! 

Maggie Moyer #20

Maggie came home energized from her brisk jog around the neighborhood. She returned in a great mood ready to tackle some work on her home comput...

WHAT ON EARTH?!

Maggie was completely stunned.

(Maggie doesn't have any pets yet this was her kitchen when she arrived home).

.................................................

Maggie Moyer #19

Recently, Maggie has shown a new mild interest in physical fitness. Going out for a jog is a good way to get exercise in Willow Creek because every day is a beautiful one. She is considering checking out her local gym too. Maybe do some strength training? Maybe meet a new guy?

Jogging with Maggie.

Gordon & Salvador #14

Gordon had better luck with Supriya. Supriya is very smart and loves dogs. Unfortunately, she is married but perhaps he made a new potential friend. 

Chatting with Supriya.

Gordon & Salvador #13

Gordon isn't quite as articulate or charming as Salvador. He attempted to start a conversation with a woman he met in the park, Vera, but it didn't really go all that well. Gordon is on the lookout for any potentially datable Sims. He's a bit of a romantic, and is actively seeking a relationship.

Gordon attempts to chat up Vera.

Gordon & Salvador #12

Gordon aspires to be a great musician, but he is still at the beginner level. He currently owns a violin and is teaching himself how to play. He recently went to the park hoping the change of scenery would inspire him. 

Violin at the park.

Please help by taking a quick survey of how you like reading Sim Stories!

Gordon & Salvador #11

Salvador was invited by one of his new friends to an impromptu dance party in the ruins. Not one to turn down dancing, Salvador attended and had a blast! He danced with several different people, and made some new friends!

Break it down!

Gordon & Salvador #10

Salv's first party was mostly successful. He chatted with everyone, people danced to music, he made some drinks, and some food. Sims aren't going to be talking about it for years to come, or next week even, but it was still a fun time.

Go Cassandra!

Gordon & Salvador #9

Salvador loves hosting parties. One of his motivations for making friends with all his neighbors is so he can have more guests at his parties. He loves all sorts of parties, but dance parties are his favorite.

Dance Party!

Gordon & Salvador #8

Out of all the people Salvador has met so far, he feels most connected to Sofia. Just like him, she has a cheerful personality and a positive outlook on life. She is also a talented musician, and Salvador adores music. 

Chatting with Sofia. Check out the outfit of the person behind Salv, though. Those pants! :heart_eyes: 

Gordon & Salvador #7

While friend hunting in his neighorhood, Salvador met Aya and Jacques. Both of them seemed a bit...off. But, Salvador didn't seem to mind.

He met Aya and Jacques.

Gordon & Salvador #6

When Salvador wants to make new friends, he heads outside. He walks around his neighborhood greeting everyone who passes by, and chatting with those who are willing to stop a few moments. 

Salvador chats with Vivian.

Gordon & Salvador #5

In the Gordon & Salvador household, washing laundry is a source of entertainment and a favorite chore. It seems like there is always a cycle going, and they like to stare at it go 'round and 'round. Fortunately, this does lead to a lot of fresh smelling clothing. 

"All my life is a delicate cycle, a delicate cycle..."

Bonus You Tube link! This post reminded me of this song: 

Maggie Moyer #18

Maggie enjoys all kinds of games at the pub with the Good Timers. One of her favorites is foosball. She gets pretty competitive about it.

Foosball.