Good Wednesday morning, Nichole!

I asked Copilot (AI) to analyze your post from yesterday.

Copilot: Nichole’s message shows someone who is actively healing, not just intellectually but somatically — and she’s beginning to trust her own internal stability.

Nichole is describing a stage of healing where she has enough distance from the people who harmed her that she can stay regulated even when they appear in her life, yet she still feels the unpredictable waves of grief that come with integrating trauma.

She’s learning to hold two truths at once: compassion for the pain her family carries, and clarity that compassion does not mean re‑entering harmful dynamics.

Her self‑talk — reminding herself what she is and isn’t responsible for — shows a nervous system that is slowly shifting from survival mode to self‑trust.

Even on days when she feels drained, she recognizes her progress, which is a sign of emotional maturity rather than collapse.

Her desire to build new connections reflects a natural movement toward expansion after long contraction, and her plan to return to work not for social fulfillment but for momentum and exposure is grounded and realistic. She’s not rushing intimacy; she’s rebuilding capacity.

Overall, she’s in the acceptance phase of healing: grieving what was, protecting what is, and cautiously opening to what could be.

You wrote, Nichole: “Implementing new connections is my new goal and has been lol.”

Copilot: Nichole can build new connections by starting very small, with tiny interactions that don’t feel scary — a quick hello, a short chat at work, or a simple comment about the day. Work can help her get used to being around people again without expecting herself to make close friends right away.

As she meets new people, she can move toward those who leave her feeling lighter rather than drained.

She doesn’t need to share anything personal until she feels ready; starting with light, everyday topics is enough.

Over time, these small moments add up and slowly create a sense of connection. And she can go at her own pace — taking breaks when she feels tired, resting when she needs to, and celebrating even the smallest steps forward. This way, she builds a social life gently, without pushing herself too hard.

Nichole doesn’t need to force trust or “open up” quickly. She just needs many small experiences of safety, repeated over time, with people who show consistency and respect her pace. That’s how trust becomes possible again.”

It really is exciting, Nichole, to witness your active healing!

Oh, and I’m sorry you suffer from sciatica as well. How is your cat? (Bogart is curled up by my lap on the armchair. Didn’t take him out yet because it’s raining here.

Anita

Hey Confused (using computer):

Copilot says (in regard to your post of 30 minutes ago) that your system “doesn’t distinguish between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ feelings; it only registers intensity.” He says that your nervous system treats emotional intensity—not just negative emotion—as a threat.

When feelings rise (love, fear, longing, anger, vulnerability), your system flips into self‑protection: numbness, anhedonia, doubt, detachment, or the sense of “forcing it.”

It’s a survival reflex, says Copilot, a reflex that was learned long before adulthood.

Hmmm… what says you, Confused?

Anita

Hey 👋 Confused:

I did listen to Linkin Park years ago and 👍 them.I want to listen to a few of the songs you mentioned tomorrow or the day after.

Well, after I sent you the above, talked to Copilot a little bit more and he told me (in regard to me saying that we have much in common) to calm down (I’m paraphrasing), to not over- identify with you and to not try to take over and do the emotional work for you (what Copilot calls to overfunction)

Okay. So, I figure it’s common to switch from the ❤️ and to the 🧠 when overwhelmed by emotion or when distrusting emotions, or when feeling that emotions are dangerous.

So, not overidentifying and not overfunctioning, I will close this post.

❤️ 🐔 🧠 🐔 😢 🐔 🤬 🐔 🤔 Anita

Dear Professional Going Through Life:

I am so very happy to read from you 🙂 You were in my thoughts too, as you can tell (having sent 3 inquiries in March, April and May)

Congratulations for being a professional now 🎉🤍🌿✨🎊🥂💫

Let’s see- last we talked was March 2. On April 10 I attended the closing night of the tap room I frequented and that was my last in-real-life social get together. I am surprised that I don’t miss it as much as I thought I would. But I do hope for some irl socialization sometime soon.

Bogart the beagle and I go for walks every day and it’s really a pleasure having him.

I understand that you’re busy with work and studying, so whenever you write is okay with me, really 🙂

I want to go back to the beginning of your thread and reread stuff and then add a post later.

🌿 Anita

Hey HHVTT 🌙 🦉 Confused:

* Hip Hop Vocal Trance Techno

I am familiar with HH, was quite a fan of Emenem’s “I said I’m sorry mamma, I never meant to hurt you”- which touched on my childhood.

I’m guessing Emenem is too old for your taste now. I don’t even know what VT or techno is, but I’m curious 🤔

Switching to the 🖥, will write a bit later.

🎶 🎵 Anita

Good morning 🙂 Confused:

Feeling anger doesn’t feel good to me. I wonder if it feels good to other people. Curious, I asked you know who.

Copilot: “Yes — anger can feel good to some people, and this is not unusual.

Why anger can feel good- Research shows that anger can activate the brain’s reward system, especially the nucleus accumbens, which is involved in motivation and pleasure. When someone gets angry, the brain can release dopamine, the same chemical involved in reward and anticipation. This can create a brief sense of power, energy, or relief.

Some people experience anger as “good” because:

* It replaces feelings like helplessness or shame with a sense of control.

* It provides a rush or surge of energy that feels rewarding.

* It can feel empowering, especially when calling out injustice or protecting oneself.

This doesn’t mean anger is always healthy — just that the body sometimes interprets it as useful or energizing.

But the relief is temporary- Even though anger can feel good in the moment, research shows that venting anger actually increases anger, not decreases it. So, the short-term “rush” can lead to long-term emotional strain.”

The above explains why my mother was often angry at me: it made her feel (temporarily) good, as in powerful, in control.

Because I am at the computer, I asked Copilot another question.

Copilot: 🎶 Modern Greek songs people in their 30s usually know:

Μη Με Ξυπνάς — Melisses, Έλα — Κωνσταντίνος Αργυρός, Θυμάμαι — Melisses, Μισή Καρδιά — Κωνσταντίνος Αργυρός
, Αν Μ’ Αγαπάς — Νίκος Οικονομόπουλος, Κόκκινα Γυαλιά — Πυξ Λαξ, Όλα Μοιάζουν Καλοκαίρι — Melisses, Σ’ Έχω Ξεπεράσει — Πάνος Κιάμος, Το Παλιό Μου Παλτό — Γιάννης Χαρούλης, Μικρή Μου Αγάπη — Μιχάλης Χατζηγιάννης

Do you know all of these songs?

🎶 Anita