topic Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together in Depression

Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together

J-J — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 00:07:15 GMT

Hello Everyone,

I have been suffering from various degrees of depression since my teens and suffering from anxiety & PTSD from previous employment.

I'm currently not working due to poor mental health and I'm currently seeing a Psychologist. I'm taking an antidepressant in the morning and additional at night.

I've moved at of my rental property and moved back home for support.

I'm bankrupt (lost my car) and will suffer the consequence until 2021.

My question is, what are people using to get better? Are they journalling, using any products to help them, using a vision board, going to life coach ????

I'm 28 years old and restarting my life and want to use this time to rise from the ashes.

Thank you

Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together

Quercus — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 14:33:20 GMT

Hi J-J,

Your last sentence about rising from the ashes made me smile. You already are making positive changes don't you see?

Medical support. Therapy. Regular meds. An optimistic hopeful outlook. Reaching out to peers. Asking for support from family.

These are all helpful steps towards trying again.

So here's a question... What are you passionate about? Sit down and brainstorm. Truly think about topics you love and could waffle on about for hours on end. If you're starting again why not aim for something that makes you happy?

Ask people who know you well what they think your skills are. What do you seem happiest doing? In short... Take the time to think about who you are and what you enjoy.

What do I do? I take my meds. Go to therapy weekly. I blog about gardening and mental health. Two topics close to home. One makes me happy the other gives me a sense of purpose. And I volunteer here supporting others. Ok so I have no money to my name and I'm still depressed. But compared to 12 months ago I know myself and what matters to me better and I feel better equipped to survive. Not thrive yet but maybe one day that will come.

I know this hasn't answered your question well but really I just wanted to say hello and remind you to take a step back and look at the things you've already achieved.

Nat

Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together

geoff — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 18:04:27 GMT

Hello J-J, welcome to the site.

I'm sorry that you are going through this difficult time and I know some days it must be really hard for you, but now you need time to heal.

You're seeing a psychologist and taking an AD and I hope you have applied for a centrelink payment, no money can be taken off you and now your confidence needs to be boosted once again.

What you have been through is not pleasant at all and can I ask if your psychologist has suggested any direction to take because it's a matter of wanting to do and being able to do, these are two huge differences that need to be thought about carefully and not push yourself too quickly.

Whether it's beginning with a hobby, listening to an inspirational speech just take it slowly and don't be turned off if it's a bad day for you, tomorrow will be better.

The point to remember is that in rebuilding ourselves there will be ups and downs, just like everybody else has but then take another direction, that's what I did and now doing completely the opposite to what I originally have done.

If I went down the same track I don't believe I could have been able to change.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together

J-J — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 05:08:48 GMT

Hi Nat,

Thank you for your beautiful post.

I go through stages where I can't pick up a book or listen to music because everything is just over welming.

I'Ve been working on and off with a doctors 2013 about my mental health and I get better enough to smile in public , but I've never won.

ive had depression since teens, however it was work place bullying that I went for treatment. I'm 28 with this gift of time to heal myself.

As I ways say , I'm only a little broken ✌️

Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together

J-J — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 05:16:47 GMT

Hi Geoff, thank you for your lovely post👍.

I'm currently on New Start Allowence with a medical certificate.

You are right my confidence is really down at the moment.

I always smile so it's hard for anyone to know if I'm having a bad day.

One thing I have decided was not getting back into real estate and that was my first long time job after high school.

Its hard , I feel a little lost what I'm going todo when I'm able to work again.

Best wishes

Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together

J-J — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 05:23:23 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I've downloaded Evernote so I can keep track of wishlist, goal, etc.

I've cleaned my room and decluttered.

What does everyone else do to start to get better?

Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together

quirkywords — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 05:42:17 GMT

J_J

What a lovely thread.

I admire your determination.

I use the four Hs,

Health- make sure physical and mental health is the best

Honesty- be honest about my health

Hope- always hang on to hope

Humour- this is very important for me, don't take myself seriously , and learn to laugh at myself!

What is evernote?

Quirky

Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together

J-J — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 07:07:23 GMT

Love your tips quirkywords,

I just watched a funny video on Youtube, so already useful.

Evernote is a mobile app designed for note taking, organizing, tasks lists, and archiving.

Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together

PamelaR — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 07:43:11 GMT

Hi J-J

Many tips for getting better or to keep well.

There's a thread under Staying Well What Keeps You Well. There's a lot of tips from people there too.

PamelaR

Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together

J-J — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 22:08:25 GMT

I will check out the thread.

Thanksx

Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together

White_Rose — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 22:35:27 GMT

Dear J-J

I have seen you around the forum and love your posts. You ask what you can do to heal. Well you have already started. Writing to other people who are struggling like you is a big step forward. You can, to some extent, put your health to one side and concentrate on helping someone else. If you have not already done so I believe you will gain insight to yourself by 'talking' to others who are experiencing mental illness in some way. Everyone is different and yet the same in the need for recognition of the hurt they carry and the desire to be well.

Talking to someone about their difficulties and explaining your own does help both. For one thing it's good to remember you are not alone with your hurt, a memory that can easily be forgotten. Even more valuable is to know others feel as deeply as you. Many of those who post here have commented on that aspect.

There have been times when I have written to someone with a similar problem to me and found in the ensuing discussion an answer or an idea for me. It really is amazing. More than that I have put myself to one side to focus on another and received a brief respite. So carry on posting about yourself and to others. Keep on keeping on.

Mary

Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together

J-J — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 02:30:26 GMT

Thanks Mary,

Your post was very helpful.

Trying to be proactive about getting my life back together

White_Rose — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 22:36:59 GMT

Hello J-J

How are you going? Dropping by to check up on you. I went back to your first post where you asked what others do to get well or keep well. As I said above you are already helping yourself by helping others.

So what else? Being completely open and honest with your psychologist is a major 'must do'. Eating good food may sound prosaic but I have found cutting various foods from my everyday diet has changed how I think, react to others and cope with being overwhelmed. Sugar is one of my must not do. I thought I was getting good at this until I discovered how much sugar is put into our food, e.g. milk. No wonder we become sugar addicts.

The other major no-no for me is bread. I love eating slices of fresh bread and butter. Physically it does me no good but the real surprise was the effect on my mood. Amazing. Combine that with vegies etc and I am a different person. It has unfortunately not cured my craving for bread and butter but if I do not buy bread I cannot eat it. Hopefully I can get over it. Well either that or start a support group called Bread Anonymous.

I meditate and so do many people. An app easily available is called Smiling Minds. I have not used it but many people here do. They all say how good it is.

Exercise is good. Physically of course but also mentally. Lots of data on this.

Of course all this is self care 101 but it's surprising how many people ignore this huge part of their lives. Add proper amounts of sleep and we are cured. No? What a shame. Back to the hard way.

We need to nourish ourselves doing those things which bring us joy and peace. I love needlework. My wolves avatar is one of my making. I get a kick creating lovely things. Of course lovely is a subjective word but it really does not matter what others think so long as we feel we have created something that speaks to our souls. I am a member of a book club that meets monthly.

A group of ladies meet at my home every fortnight for discussions and my meditation group meets monthly for discussion. I think we need to take care of our intellect as well as everything else. Use it or lose it. I enjoy talking and being with people so being part of a pastoral care team is great.

It's what gives me joy and satisfaction even on those days when I roll out of bed saying, "Do I really have to?" Never underestimate the power of a shower to wake you up and put life back together. I hope that helps.

Mary