topic Re: Coming to Terms with a Mental Illness in Staying well

Lost my sense of direction

moody-_ahhhhh — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:51:02 GMT

underemployed, moody and probably lazy like every other summer :,(, im lost and dont know what to do and dont wanna splurge more money and cant get an internship

Re: Lost my sense of direction

smallwolf — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:52:31 GMT

hello and welcome to the forums...

It sounds like you’re really stuck right now, and that’s a horrible place to sit in.

Being underemployed or unsure of the next step doesn’t mean you’re lazy. To me it is an indication that you’re human and going through a rough patch.

You don’t have to spend money or have an internship lined up to start moving forward.

Do you feel you can share a little more about your story?

Every small step counts, and reaching out here can be seen as a positive... wanting to change things around. Listening if you want to chat some more.

Re: Lost my sense of direction

sbella02 — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 06:04:37 GMT

Hey Moody,

I'm sorry to hear that you've been feeling like this. Would you be willing to share any more with us about what's going on? We might be able to offer some supports.

Re: Lost my sense of direction

moody-_ahhhhh — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 22:17:33 GMT

sorry its been so long, im going into my second year of uni and initially has plans to upskill during the break but ive had no motivation to completed online certifications or learn new things during since i returned from my trip

lately ive just been watching youtube while im in my room

Re: Lost my sense of direction

Sol — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 06:54:24 GMT

Hi Moody,

Here's a few things that have helped me when in a rut: I often like to set my desk up for work and then go for a walk - when I get back I find it easier to get into gear. Sometimes journalling will help too, as it will allow me to explore what may be holding me back.

uni and family dilemma

moody-_ahhhhh — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 22:23:19 GMT

part of me feels i have to graduate on time to maximise the chances of my ill father being able to watch me graduate uni, i feel so lost because ive always wanted to extend my degree

Re: uni and family dilemma

Eagle Ray — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:31:54 GMT

Dear moody-_ahhhhh,

I’m sorry to hear about your father being ill. Although I’m sure he would be proud to see you graduate, I imagine even more important to him would be your happiness and well being. So if extending your degree is what you would really like to do, I would think he’d want the best for you in that sense.

It would be very difficult for you right now, balancing your studies with concerns for your dad. Perhaps even chatting to him about your study interests may be helpful and he can share some thoughts or advice if he is able. That may be an opportunity for him to feel involved in your life’s direction.

I hope you are doing ok and you are always welcome to chat here.

Re: uni and family dilemma

Alikiwi — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 01:11:22 GMT

Hi Moody,

I can only agree 100% with the advice given. Hope you are able to talk to your father, as I'm sure he'd appreciate your wishes and concerns.

Re: uni and family dilemma

moody-_ahhhhh — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:25:50 GMT

in my case due to my dad's situation it'd be my mum I'd have to discuss delaying graduation with, which hasnt been pleasant so far she doesnt like the idea. im underloading, had plans to defer but census date already passed so no use deferring this semester

Re: uni and family dilemma

Eagle Ray — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:41:12 GMT

Hello again, I'm wondering is your mum worried about when you graduate in relation to your dad, or is it to do with her being concerned about you finishing your degree sooner rather than later in terms of getting a qualification and a job from it? I know sometimes parents can worry a lot about kids getting their qualifications and seeing them on their way. At this time, where you have the concerns about your dad, I'm wondering if your mum is able to understand how you are feeling? It sounds like it has been a bit hard talking with her.

Are you underloading at the moment so you have more time for supporting your dad and emotionally dealing with things? It's understandable if things feel a bit much and you need some space from study.

In any case, I think it's important to put your well being first. Another option for you could be chatting to a university psychologist. The uni I went to had a counselling service and I saw a very good psychologist there who helped me through some difficult times. It didn't cost anything either. I just thought that may give you some support from outside your family and help you find a pathway forward.

Take good care and feel free to chat further if you would like.

Re: uni and family dilemma

moody-_ahhhhh — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:56:03 GMT

i think the latter, lately she hasn't really understood how intense everything has been from my end.

the plan was always to underload so i could do more extracurriculars/entertainment, and currently do see a psychologist but am limited to 10 bulk billed sessions

Re: uni and family dilemma

Eagle Ray — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 04:31:00 GMT

It's not always easy communicating with parents. I am guessing that by extending your studies you are meaning doing something like honours or masters or a kind of hybrid degree or similar? If it's something you feel really passionate about, I wonder if there's a way you can explain to your mum why it is important for you?

With your current psychologist, even after 10 sessions on a mental health care plan you can get another 5 on an Enhanced Primary Care plan that you do with your GP. You don't get as much back, but it's something. It depends how much you feel you are getting benefit from psychology sessions at the moment. And the uni will most likely have free counselling sessions too. At my uni it was 6 free sessions per year.

It can be hard feeling lost, when we have had a sense of what we want to do but other things seem to be taking us from the path we were oriented towards. Sometimes journaling or writing down a vision of what you want can be helpful, even including pictures of what you aspire to or dream of doing. That may help you restore a sense of direction and structure going forward.

And then, amongst all that, self-care is important too. So having the extra time from underloading may be what you need to take some time out to just be in the present moment and do some things you enjoy. Sometimes it is when we take that time for ourselves, just being present in this moment, that other stuff starts to sort it self out at a subconscious level. Just doing things we love can sometimes be grounding and bring ourselves back to what our core needs and interests are.

Is there anyone else you can chat to in your life about your feelings? Just staying in contact with people and talking things through can be helpful.

Take care.

Ethical Dilemma

moody-_ahhhhh — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 13:15:40 GMT

I don't want to attend my dads funeral because the timing probably isn't going to be favourable (hate the Easter long weekend for thinking chaos cant occur), but even then its just very mentally taxing, but im too scared to articulate that to my mum and sister.

in a pickle and dont know what to do, i dont want them to get the impression that i dont care for my late father but dont know how to express that

Re: Ethical Dilemma

HaydenK — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:29:50 GMT

There is no easy way to put the truth. Whether they aren't able to see your perspective of the situation, that's not your fault. You cannot halt your life because you feel the need to tip toe around your families feelings. I'd like to imagine that your father would only want whatever's in your best interest, so don't make it about your mum and sister. I'm sorry for your loss. enjoy your easter.

Re: Ethical Dilemma

moody-_ahhhhh — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 22:33:21 GMT

@HaydenK thank you, and i would like to think so to for my father

Closing the Generation Gap

moody-_ahhhhh — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 03:26:53 GMT

Anyone have tips to improve their relationship with parents and close the generation gap.

I feel I want to chat with my mum but I don't want to talk about academics/internships/jobs/AI, but then idk what to talk about with her. I'm in limbo and want a way out, I don't want to move out either so I figured might as well try mend our relationship

Closing the Generation Gap

moody-_ahhhhh — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:17:27 GMT

I want to get along with my mum, but I don't want to converse about academics/jobs/internships, anyone have insights to improve family relationships?

I feel like I don't really know my mum as a person, and that makes me feel sad. At the same time though, idk we would do together that is both fulfilling and worth our money.

Re: Closing the Generation Gap

Ggrand — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:43:56 GMT

Hello Dear Moody-_ahhhhh,

I think that’s beautiful that you want to get along with your mum….

Im wondering if you have ever asked her about her childhood, what she used to do, her hobbies as a child, just basic everyday living for her when she was younger?…

I don’t have daughters, but I used to cook with my daughter in law when my son first married and that’s when we talked about different things, I could say we kind of bonded…while doing that…I do hope you find something you can both do together with enjoying each others company, making a special garden together, doing a jigsaw together, trying new recipes together, going out for a coffee just the 2 of you, are just a few suggestions I can think of…

My kindest thoughts Dear moody-_ahhhhh..

Grandy..

Re: Closing the Generation Gap

Psychdiaries2 — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:15:00 GMT

Hi there,

I always ask my mum about what she got up to when she was my age and boy does she have a lot of stories haha. Maybe you could think about/ask her what interests her (and also yourself), and do that together. It could be something simple like watching a movie together. You don't need to spend a lot of money to have a good time with someone. It just has to be something you both enjoy.

Hope things go well,

PsychDiaries

Re: Closing the Generation Gap

moody-_ahhhhh — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:02:19 GMT

@Ggrand no never asked her about her childhood actually, i may consider cooking with her often i feel too afraid to cook cos ill probably fumble somewhere though.

reconfiguring the garden could be a great idea, honestly not a fan of anything public its very awkward for me to see people i know while with family and im too scared to confess that with them