I used to be highly motivated, now I struggle to do anything

[Luci3]

Hi  I'm new to the forum, but not depression unfortunately. I have suffered from it for many years, and struggle terribly with a complete lack of motivation. I used to be highly motivated and had a lot of self-discipline. Now I struggle to do anything really, and  I feel shame at the state of my house. To complicate matters I also suffer from hypersomnia. I have no immediate family, but my extended family are very old school, and very judgemental about my lack of housekeeping skills. Hence I tend to not have people around, which I know contributes to my isolation. Thank goodness for my fur-babies. I can really relate to the line in one of Robbie Williams' songs - something like "I don't want to die, but I'm not keen on living either." Any suggestions from anyone would be really appreciated. Thank you

[Luci3]

Thankyou Neil - dear little Pokey  what a cute-ster - i don't think thats a real word, but I'm sure you know what I mean.   Re swimming,   i'd love to get back in the pool, but unfortunately, there isn't a year-round public pool here, even though it's the 2nd biggest city in the state.  When I was in Adelaide i could have a good swim at any time in a good pool up until 10pm. I always found it to be wonderful therapy -the best anti-depressant ever, with no bad side-effects, but some really good positive ones. That feeling of being weightless, is magical. I've lobbied council etc but eventually I think I'll have to shift somewhere more civilised to access such facilities. The film was quirky, as Coen Brothers films always are - one part in particular was really , really hilarious (I am somewhat prone to exaggeration at times, but it really was funny and I actually laughed until I cried) - fantastic therapy session for the week!

Thanks again Neil

xx

[pipsy]

Hi Luci.  Don't know what state you're in, but if you live near a gym, they would have a pool.  Where we lived before moving here there was a gym with a huge pool.  Not far from us at the moment is a council owned pool, I used to use it, but the village I live in now has its own pool.  If you contact your local council or even get online, you may find a public pool near you.  I'm in Qld so I can always go down the beach.  I seldom do though because I don't want to bump into ex in-laws.  Hope you're able to locate a pool, they're so beneficial, in so many ways.   

[Neil_1]

Dear Luci

I think you’ve just created a new word (cute-ster) and I like it.  Yes, describes her beautifully, but there’s so many others that describe her, she’s just gorgeous with the absolute best personality;  nothing fazes her at all.  She’s also a wonderful constant reminder of my Mum which in a way is very comforting for me – it’s a weird thing to say, but it feels like I’m still part taking care of Mum, by looking after little Tess.  She can’t go downstairs and when she gets to the top of them and wants to go down, she barks … as in to say, “Hey, can I please get some help here?”.  So I pick her up, give her a little cuddle and pat and a kiss and take her down to where there is more action happening – usually in the kitchen !

I’m really sorry to hear that where you’re currently at doesn’t have a public pool that is available year round.  That must be so frustrating – especially as you know how beneficial it can be.  Is there any option for perhaps some cycling or some other kind of exercise that you could possibly do?

Kind regards

Neil

[Doolhof]

Hi All,

I have just been reading the comments here. It is a great thread of encouragement and chats about pets and laughing.

We have 4 hens, I love to let them out of their run and let them roam about the garden. They can be so funny at times.

All 4 of them scratch in the same place, sometimes in unison, it is like they are synchronised. Other times one hen will flick dirt and leaves all over the other hens. They never seem to care about that and don't get snitchy with each other.

It is funny when one hen finds a grub and runs away with it in her mouth, only to be chased by the other hens, with one of them inevitably taking it from the other one's beak.

The chooks never like to return to their house so I pick them up two at a time and carry them home. We have foxes hanging around, so I don't like to leave the chooks unsupervised. Ha. Ha.

One chook is moulting at present and the dear thing looks hilarious. I won't tell her that though!

Laughter, I enjoy laughing!

One of my clients suffers from depression, I like trying to make her laugh about something, it makes us both feel better!

Cheers for now, hope laughter has been a part of your day.

From Mrs. Dools

[Luci3]

Dear Neil

Loved hearing more about little Pokey - what a dear little girl! A wonderful companion - you're I'm sure would be so thrilled and comforted to know that you are now her special person/guardian etc. I often think that the situation of pets left behind after their owner has passed away is such a sad situation - and for many it must cause serious concern. Lucky for Pokey everything's  Ok - and that you care for her so sensitively - especially carrying her down the stairs - how beautiful. She brings a great deal of joy to you by the sound of it, and it really is extra special knowing that  you are still caring for your Mum in part by looking out for Pokey-Baby.  Re exercise, as my knees are a wreck from years of running, bike-riding's not a option. but I do have a Pilates machine with a little vertical trampoline set-up. All I have to do is actually motivate myself to get on it, and start! Of course I will have to remove my 2 Bubsters from it in order to have room to exercise on it! - then they'll keep trying to get on it while I'm exercising, so I'll lock them out of that room - then they'll wail desperately and frantically try to open the door whilst slapping each other, so then I'll put them outside, and that'll work for a while - when I next see them there will be sulky kitties, who will ignore me until food-time....Such fun little babies - they just want to hang around with me.  Whilst my motivation hasn't improved a great deal since joining the forum, I have found it a lovely experience to read responses, and have found that so uplifting. Thanks so  much  guys xx (ps cuddles to Pokey).

[Luci3]

Mrs Dools - the hens sound very entertaining - do they have names? I was laughing reading your post - laughter (for me, anyway) really gives me a lift, and animals and their interactions are often very funny. One of my fur-babies seems to have a sense of humour. When I come home, she charges up and down the passage which has wooden floors, sounding like an entire herd of elephants. When my other (less flamboyant) cat looks a little concerned (on account of the thunderous noise, I think) she sometimes charges towards him and veers away at the last minute (or just gives him a biff, even though he's twice her size). I really love how dogs in particular live in the moment - we can learn a lot from animals I think. And thankyou Mrs Dools - I did have some laughs for the day - so important xx

[Luci3]

Hi Pipsy   Thanks for your suggestions re a pool. Unfortunately I've already looked into all the options which you mentioned. In my previous city, the pool I attended was part of a gym - they had 2 full-size pools - indoor and outdoor - not so here. I've lobbied council etc, and it has different priorities - they're afraid of operating costs - personally I think there's nothing more important than the good health and wellbeing of ratepayers - but that's just me -  hope you're going well, and thanks for your support

Luci 

[Doolhof]

Hi Luci,

Yes, my chooks do have names, Hilda, Ethel, Nancy and Sofie...spells HENS!

As the weather has been so hot in our part of S.A. I have been letting the chooks out earlier in the mornings. They are a little confused with the new routine.

At least this way I can get them back into the hen house and their fenced in yard, as I don't feed them breakfast until it is time for me to return inside. When I call them in the mornings they run as fast as they can to get back into their house for a feed.

We took our cat to see the chooks one day and the cat really freaked out and nearly clawed my husband to bits trying to get away.

Recently we have been thinking about getting a dog but as neither of us have owned one, we have no idea what would suit us. We would have to do some research before we decided that is what we really want to do.

A friend has a sheep dog that leans against you so hard, he nearly pushes you over! That is his way of saying he wants you to pat him!

Pets can certainly be wonderful companions!

Hope you are having a good day.

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools