topic Feel completely overwhelmed in Welcome and orientation

Feel completely overwhelmed

blueguy71 — Sat, 25 May 2019 02:37:11 GMT

Hi all

I have just joined the forums. My short story is: I have been through an immense amount of change in the past few months and and feeling completely overwhelmed, and have developed what I feel is some quite severe depression.

My wife and I made the decision to separate about 8 months ago but it was only two months ago that she moved out. About the time that we decided to separate I had a car accident and the combination of that and the separation led to me deciding to resign from my job where I had been for ten years. Whilst I have been doing some contract work in the past couple of months it hasn’t been the most stable situation and I have been having to work by myself a lot.

I am still living in our family home (where we’ve been for more than ten years) although have sold it and will be moving out in about a month.

Our separation was quite amicable but our three kids are doing it bit tough as well.

I start a new role in a couple of months but am feeling very anxious about it and am not at all confident I will be able to be successful. And am very worried about what I’ll do if that doesn’t work out.

So I have a great deal of time by myself, caught up inside my head, and am having a lot of very negative thoughts. Guilt, lack of self confidence, worry about the future, worry about financial security are all at play. I am noticing many depressive symptoms including low energy, poor sleep, lack of appetite, low motivation, inability to make decisions amongst others.

At times it is all feeling so incredibly overwhelming.

It is good to be able to write all this down and from the little I have seen there are some wonderful supportive people on these forums so thank you for reading and I hope to be able to do what I can to contribute to others’ situations too.

Feel completely overwhelmed

Birdy77 — Sat, 25 May 2019 03:44:52 GMT

Dear blueguy,

I am glad you have come here.

You have had so many huge changes in a very short space of time, I think it would be quite natural for you to be feeling all those overwhelming feelings that you are feeling.

It sounds like so many constants in your life have been untethered, i can imagine it would feel quite frightening and you may feel kind of anchorless?

I'm so glad it has felt good for you to write this down.

It sounds like, with all those symptoms you mentioned, it would be helpful for you to talk to your dr and get some supports in place. You are going through big changes, and you don't have to do this on your own.

Being there for your kids as well as they're going through this family change, moving house etc, you need to take good care of yourself before you can hold up your kids. You matter and you deserve support.

You are amongst friends here.

Please come and talk here any time.

🌻birdy

Feel completely overwhelmed

blueguy71 — Sat, 25 May 2019 04:03:27 GMT

Thank you so much birdy for your thoughtful reply. You have absolutely confirmed my feelings about these forums and the support provided.

”Anchorless” is very accurate. At the moment I don’t feel I have any safe place - no regular work, home is empty and cold. I do have a number of friends who have been very supportive and who I am talking too. But they can’t be there 24/7 and neither should I expect them to be.

I have been to the GP and have visited a psych for several sessions. Am on medication which I think is helping.

However I am recognising that the main solutions ultimately have to come from within me - the GP and psych can’t “fix” they can only “support”. It is a combination of things I need to do relating to mindset, routines, sleep (this is huge - I am not sleeping well at all).

At the moment it just feels really hard. But getting such a wonderful response from a complete stranger does certainly help, so thank you again.

Feel completely overwhelmed

B_bear — Sat, 25 May 2019 05:00:35 GMT

Hi Blueguy71 I’m in a similar boat. Separated a few months ago. Ex moved out. I work in a stressful field so with that and the separation I’ve found myself at a pretty low point. Exercise, socials, chatting to friends and spending quality time with the kids has all helped. I will also consider medication if I feel like this much longer. I hope you start to feel better soon. With the new job it might be a welcome distraction from the quiet times you mentioned. I’ve found staying busy is a must. If I don’t it’s very easy to fall into a dark place.

Feel completely overwhelmed

blueguy71 — Sat, 25 May 2019 08:53:47 GMT

Thanks for sharing B bear. Whilst I wouldn’t wish you to feel how i’m feeling at the moment, I do appreciate knowing that I am not alone in feeling like that. I totally agree that being busy is key.

Good of luck with your journey and whilst i am not a doctor I would certainly say don’t be afraid to give the medication a go.

Feel completely overwhelmed

Birdy77 — Sat, 25 May 2019 09:30:21 GMT

Dear blueguy,

I am really pleased to hear that you have those supports in place with your dr and psychologist sessions and medicine. Without these, it could feel even worse than it feels now, so it's a really good start.

Of course it all feels so incredibly hard right now. Even the simplest of tasks probably feel mammoth at the moment: getting out of bed, feeding yourself, getting some exercise. I think this is natural, as pretty much all your familiar routines and structures gave been ripped away from you, all at once no less. This is no small challenge. You are doing well, getting through each day as you are.

I'm really happy to hear you have some good friends to call on and to help you through this time, although they can't be there 24/7.

Being in the house by yourself must feel really strange, it is filled with a decade of memories of you building your family. I think when you move into your new accommodation, it may feel a bit like you can start to move forward or something.

Feeling anchorless is frightening, and as you and B bear have both said, creating for yourself some routines will really help you. I know it feels hard, but it will be worth it.

When you feel at a loss, or if you might dissolve (this is how I've felt in the past when everything familiar has been ripped from under me), can you think of some go-to activities that could help you get through that moment? Reading a book, going for a run, gym, digging in the garden, dancing, playing music.

If all else fails, come to the forums and talk to people who care.

Thinking of you.

🌻birdy

Feel completely overwhelmed

blueguy71 — Sat, 25 May 2019 10:33:02 GMT

Thanks again birdy for your wonderful reply. I can see why you are a “valued contributor”.

Agree about the new house. Should hopefully feel like a fresh start, moving on.

I am just about to make myself some dinner, with incense and music. And a glass of wine (one is okay, I think).

That certainly does help. As it feels productive.

Feel completely overwhelmed

Birdy77 — Sat, 25 May 2019 11:03:12 GMT

Dear blueguy,

That is wonderful news!

Cooking a yummy dinner, incense, music, wine. If you have a candle to light as well, even better.

It is definitely productive because it is looking after you. So important.

If you can keep doing this - treat yourself as you would treat a beloved friend, or how you would wish a loved one would be treated - you will be doing so well.

You have taken and are taking beautiful, strong, healthy steps towards new beginnings.

Enjoy your dinner.

Thoughts are with you,

🌻birdy

Feel completely overwhelmed

Birdy77 — Mon, 27 May 2019 01:31:55 GMT

Dear blueguy,

I wondered how you are today, and hoped that you have some things today that can help you feel settled or purposeful or simply distracted and ok.

What you mentioned about how the changes and "fixing" needs to come from within us is of course spot on, but sometimes can feel like you just want to chuck it in the too hard basket because just getting through the minutes if the day is hard enough.

Sleepless nights are so difficult because that's when the thoughts can run riot, when everything else is quiet. Do you have any apps on your phone that you can use at times like that, I know a few forum members like one called Smiling Mind. I use different things that I find on Spotify, one that I've used recently is called Headspace - Mediatation Made Simple. Can help to break the spin cycle of thoughts sometimes.

I hope you are ok.

🌻birdy

Feel completely overwhelmed

blueguy71 — Tue, 28 May 2019 06:21:16 GMT

Thanks for checking in Birdy. It has been an up and down couple of days. Right now am feeling not too bad but have had some pretty tough moments over the past 48 hours. Am heading interstate for work tonight which is good as it gets me into a different location (although I am still isolated not that different location).

I have listened to a few meditations so thanks for that suggestion.

Really appreciate your support.

Feel completely overwhelmed

Birdy77 — Wed, 29 May 2019 11:08:36 GMT

Dear blueguy,

I hope your time interstate is refreshing - I know it can be that, but it can also feel extra lonesome. Please remember you can come and chat here on the forums if you need distraction - there's social pages as well if you want to explore, just to get your head away from heavy thoughts.

I'm glad trying the meditations have helped a little. Sometimes they take a while to settle in your mind and make a positive difference.

I hope your kids are doing ok, and that you are taking good care of you.

🌻birdy

Feel completely overwhelmed

blueguy71 — Thu, 30 May 2019 10:38:49 GMT

Thanks Birdy. Trip interstate was okay - nice to be somewhere different.

Agree with getting the mind distracted - I will give the forums a look - distraction is THE key to managing through all this.

Kids are doing pretty well all all things considered. Fortunately as mentioned my (ex) wife and I are in very amicable terms and I am sure it will stay that way. I think we both care about each other and the kids too much to resort to poor behaviour towards each other. So I think the kids are at least just dealing with logistical issues mostly, rather than serious emotional ones.

Thanks once again for your support. It really is making a difference to how I am feeling.

Feel completely overwhelmed

Frak — Thu, 30 May 2019 11:12:56 GMT

Hi Blueguy,

I am completely new to this and this is my first post. I'm in a similar situation, separation imminent, 2 great older kids, 16 and 19, and a lot of time up my sleeve. I'm trying to start a new business which may not be successful which is also stressful.

Sleep is difficult but helping others has been a good distraction for me. Exercising has been my solace too. I'm trying to do good self care too, like eating well and keeping alcohol intact lowish.

What you are going through, similar to myself could deteriorate into a crisis situation so I recommend being self aware as to how you feel. If you feel you are running at a 5 or less out of 10, then try and spring some actions into place to enjoy life more. (This is really a note to myself).

I really feel for you and wish you the very best. If you need someone to talk to at any time, I think calling lifeline 13 11 14 can be very useful too, as well as coming on here.

My situation is similar to yours so I think I know some of your struggle. Managing thoughts I find at times the most difficult for me. I'm trying to dream a good future and by golly, I want it. I hope we both score that great future.

Wishing you the best.

Frak

Feel completely overwhelmed

blueguy71 — Thu, 30 May 2019 11:22:25 GMT

Thanks very much Frank. Sorry to hear about what you’re going through but thank you for sharing.

agree with taking action and not letting the thoughts take over. But taking action can be really hard.

Also agree that helping others is a wonderful way to feel Breyer and also with your diet and alcohol suggestions. In short, I agree with everything you said!

Wishing you the best too. I trust that the universe will hopefully look after people who are good people and it sure sounds like you are.

Feel completely overwhelmed

blueguy71 — Thu, 30 May 2019 11:26:01 GMT

Sorry I did mean to type Frak but autocorrect took over!

Feel completely overwhelmed

Frak — Fri, 31 May 2019 03:42:05 GMT

Thats fine, my name is Frank so autocorrect was right. I did register as Frak to be more unique but now I can't change it.

Yes, Taking action is really hard and sometimes, I feel like a boxer who gets knocked to the canvas, but I keep getting up again, and again. If nothing else we become good role models for our kids. Never say die, I say.

I hope you can find enjoyment, I want to find more of it myself.

regards and best wishes

Feel completely overwhelmed

blueguy71 — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 00:05:44 GMT

Well hi Frank!

We have to keep getting up. I agree. As you said that is how we will become good role models.

But it is hard. I have never had trouble getting out of bed in the morning (I always bounced out) but now it is hard. Making decisions is hard. Which it has never been previously.

I trust from all the success stories that I hear that we can get through this. But right at the moment it feels very difficult.

Feel completely overwhelmed

Birdy77 — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 00:29:13 GMT

Dear blueguy,

Your safety zone has changed, all the usual stable, secure things that you could count on without thinking about it - eg. your marriage, your home, your job - are no longer there, so things like making decisions, is now really hard no doubt because your mind is working overtime to think on things you didn't need to before. Your worries about the future, financial stability, new home etc etc etc.

It will take time to get through this difficult stage, but you will get there one day at a time, and sometimes just one minute at a time.

One really good thing is that you and your (ex)wife care for each other still. What a blessing that is in all of this.

Frank, I'm sorry you're going through this as well, I hope your business venture goes really well, that must be a big added stress at this time.

I am glad you can both be here to support each other.

🌻birdy

Feel completely overwhelmed

blueguy71 — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 01:49:33 GMT

Thanks once again birdy. Appreciate your thoughts as always.

One minute at a time is right. Today I am setting me and the kids the task of a big tidy up/clean out ahead of our move in two weeks.

Not the most enjoyable job but at least there will be some small sense of achievement at the end of it.

Feel completely overwhelmed

Frak — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 05:13:49 GMT

Dear Blueguy and Birdie,

I am getting some piece of mind reading your posts. I am inspired by you Blueguy, that you can look ahead and, see a small improvement by tackling the cleanup job is a step in the right direction.

Today my wife and I work out the money/asset split situation.

If I can view it as a job needing to be done well for all involved then that will be another step forward. I will have to be mindful to assert my rights because I am the one losing financially out of this. It bugs me because I was the financially sensible one saving as much as possible and she was the spender.

Focusing well on one job at a time is important.

Wishing you all the best blueguy.

Frak