The year of feeling trapped...

[JamesS]

Hi there,

I wanted to post about how challenging this year has been, as is increasingly clear with some hindsight.

Overall, its been an unrelenting set of largely unwanted circumstances which began with the bushfires and really took off after the coronavirus pandemic. I've nursed a failing relationship, have attempted to finish a phd, and am now looking to move interstate for a work opportunity. When I think about how hard this year has been I feel angry and depressed, and I can't help but blame the state of society.

I know that everyone is having a tough time and by comparison I feel very grateful to have had opportunities in an objectively terrible time. But I feel stressed that my luck might run out, and that these hard times are not going away. Looking out into the world is simply nauseating however one looks at it these days.

I'm wondering how other people are getting through this time ? Is there a solution that doesn't involve simply self distraction, and is instead framed through a holistic process of acceptance ? I find myself stressed and unable to find refuge in any thought of comforting future.

Thank you

[quirkywords]

James \Thanks for making your firts post and for posing a thoughtful question.

You have had a serues of unfortunate circumstances as have many this year.

It can be hard to be positive and still have hope for the future.

My circumstances are different to yours in some ways but the same in others as I look for hope . this about accepting and acknowledging and not comparing with others.

My house and shop was destroyed by bush fires on 31 ded 2019 and I had to leave my community. I moved many times in first 12 weeks before settling in a community colder than where I came from. The virsu did not affect me too much but there was illness of loved ones.

I think I have had to accept this happened and instead of saying why me I had to say why not me. It has been hard and some days it is a big effort . I have realised recovery is a huge long journey and I have just started.

I think the answer is personal and different for each person. Change is ahrd and so many chnages are even harder.

I am sorry I have no answers as I am just plodding along. I think the fact your are aware and have insights into your thinking , is a good start.

This is an interesting discussion and will be inetrested in your reply if you choose to do so,

Thank you

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi James,

Thank you for your post and I couldn't agree with you more. I think 'challenging' can feel like an understatement with this year; I'm very much looking forward to when it's over.

For me personally, I do have to look forward as a way to cope and believe that things will get better - even if that takes time. The hard times will end, and it won't be this way forever. I don't necessarily think about my future and what that looks like (that's too stressful!) but I do try to remind myself that I won't always feel this way.

Acceptance is a difficult one for me, but I do try. I'm working to focus more on the now, or even today. So I can hold space for my feelings of being tired, a bit sad and a bit sore and I can think about what my day looks like helping out on Beyond Blue and attending a webinar this afternoon. If I can move my attention to this and today - it does help, and it is healthy because it's not a temporary distraction.

I hope that this helps. It's alright and understandable if you want to feel angry, depressed and blame society. There's no right or wrong way to feel.

rt

[DeepBlue1771]

Hi JamesS,

I think 2020 has been a tough year on many levels for many people, myself included. I too have had a devastating relationship failure and on top of that feel very isolated with the lockdown as I live alone. I'm fortunate in that I have a job and am comfortable but, like you, I share the same view that what's going on in the world is nauseating and it's hard to see a happy future. However.......if you can look at what's going on in more spiritual terms it helps a bit. From everything I have read, heard, watched, observed, and from my own intuition, 2020 was always going to be the year of the great reset, and with that comes chaos. But the chaos is required to break down old bad structures and move to a more awakened and kind world. A bit like The Dark Night of the Soul on a global level.

Anyway, just my thoughts and wanted you to know there are many of us that feel like you, and that we're not alone. It's a tough year for sure, but hang in there, there just might be a greater purpose to all of this......