topic Introducing me! in Welcome and orientation

Introducing me!

LaraW — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 09:56:05 GMT

Hi everyone 🙂

My name is Lara, and I'm a 21 year old musician, filmmaker, performer, writer and yoga addict.

My teenage years were pretty rough, and i endured through bullying, grief and abuse at home. As a result, I'm now learning how to cope with stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD.

I'm hoping to make some new friends, have meaningful conversations, and learn some helpful tips to continue to recover from mental illness, and to stay healthy and well.

I look forward to interacting with you soon!

🙂

Introducing me!

Mia001 — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 10:34:33 GMT

Hi LaraW,

Welcome to the forums. Wow, that's a lot of accomplishments! You must be pretty creative. What instrument/s do you play?

If you want to make some friends, why not head over to the BB Cafe in BB Social Zone? Its a great place to start!

I'm sure some of the Community Champions will come along and say hello soon 🙂

Mia

Introducing me!

solabear — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 10:38:49 GMT

Hi Lara, welcome to BB, good to have you on board.

We are all here to connect with each other and get through the difficult times with support and understanding. Feel free to talk about anything or ask questions, this is a safe and non-judgmental zone. So many lovely people on here who has the knowledge and experience to give advice or just listen.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Hugs from Sola

Introducing me!

White_Rose — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 12:42:54 GMT

Hello Lara

Hello and welcome. What a fantastic set of accomplishments you have. Stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD are hard to manage. We can help and support you. I take it you have regular counselling/therapy sessions. Do you find them helpful? There are many mental health professionals out there who are caring about their patients and can offer all sorts of help.

Beyond Blue has a library of information you may wish to explore. Start at the top of the page and browse under The Facts. You can download much of this material or send for the booklets.

Love to hear more about you and how we can support you.

Mary

Introducing me!

geoff — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 17:28:33 GMT

hi Lara, life's been pretty tough for you which I'm so very sorry, but it takes a great deal of strength to be doing what you are to overcome and learn the many different ways that depression can affect you, so pleased you have joined the site and welcome you to the site. Geoff.

Introducing me!

startingnew — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 10:34:45 GMT

Hi Lara

welcome to the forums 🙂

i too am 20 and suffer from anxiety, depression and PTSD so i can realte to mnay things your going through.

please feel free to ask any questions you ahve and ill be happy to answer what i can for you 🙂

do you have any professional help?

Introducing me!

Johnno_S — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 12:47:27 GMT

Hi Lara

You are definitely in the right place to connect with other people willing to share their personal stories without fear of judgement.

Being bullied is horrible (I know) and learning to overcome mental illness is not easy. However, like you, I am a musician and find incredible satisfaction from writing and playing music. Music keeps me alive and in touch with my soul and helps me with my mindfulness which I find important.

I am wishing you all my best wishes for your journey ahead and I am sure you will meet lots of genuine people on BB willing to help you and be your friend.

Johnno

Introducing me!

LaraW — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 18:12:05 GMT

Hi Mia! 🙂 Thank you so much! In the past I've played guitar, piano, violin, flute, vocals and drums- Currently I focus on guitar 🙂 Music has definitely helped me keep going, through the rough times! I will head over to the BB Cafe now 🙂

Introducing me!

LaraW — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 18:22:42 GMT

Hi Sola, hugs back!! It's great to be part of a community of people willing to listen and connect through difficult times. In the past, I grew up in a small rural town which was great, but also very isolating and access to mental health services wasn't so great. It's awesome to be part of this online community and find support in the every day life, in combination with regularly seeing a counsellor face to face. Over the past year, I've really struggled with the pressure and stress associated with uni, and I'm only now on the recovery path and learning some great coping strategies. I'm learning proper breathing as well as mindfulness techniques, to aknowledge the negative thoughts, assess them in line with the truth, and to replace them with more positive thoughts and be present in every day which is such a struggle. I'm fighting hard and hopeful that each day will gradually get easier as I learn to stay mentally well. Looking forward to engaging in an awesome community of thoughtful and empathetic peoples 🙂

Introducing me!

LaraW — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 18:28:14 GMT

Hi Mary 🙂 Thank you so much! Yes, I have regular counselling sessions, which has been really great and really helpful so far, in learning effective breathing and mindfulness techniques, particularly in the CBT style. As you stated though, it can be very difficult to manage these illnesses in the every day life and stay mentally well when things get really overwhelming, which is why I've chosen to join the online forums and seek out online support 🙂

Introducing me!

LaraW — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 18:29:59 GMT

Hi Geoff, thank you! It's so good to be here & to assist and empower each other through life's struggles!

Introducing me!

LaraW — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 18:32:28 GMT

Hi startingnew, thanks so much. It's great to hear from somebody who can relate to the pain and suffering depression, anxiety and PTSD can cause. Yes, I'm currently seeing a counsellor. Look forward to chatting to you more! Stay strong friend 🙂

Introducing me!

LaraW — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 18:35:59 GMT

Hi Johnno. Thanks, it's great that people can share their stories here so openly and help one another. It's so difficult to overcome bullying and mental illness, it's a gradual process I've only just begun to recover from very recently but music is so important for the healing journey. Wishing you all the best, from Lara.

Introducing me!

startingnew — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 09:49:59 GMT

Hi Lara

good to hear back from you 🙂

yes im no stranger from the pain and suffering anxiety and depression have on people. im happy to chat about anything you like 🙂

im really glad your seeing a counsellor and im hoping they are helping you too 🙂