I'm really trying to feel better about myself

[Music_Freak]

I don't know where to start with this, there's so much in my head right now...

I've got nothing, but my cat...no job, no friends, far from a family priority etc. etc.

My mum died 10 years ago on 26.2 and I still miss her so badly, she was the only person I had who was in my corner. Everyone else (family, friends that currently aren't talking to me) say I play the victim and am all "woe is me"

My sister's said I look like a silverback gorilla and other such things. She's a bully who gets away with it all, because she's the favourite and "normal" (kids, married, no mental illness - although I have doubts about that last one). My dad's called me fat and said that "You're bent like your mother" (she was bipolar). He lives with me and getting him to do anything is such a battle, he doesn't feel like paying the rent, so it's left to me, goes to work when he feels like it, helps my sister with her house but won't with me etc. etc. etc....I could go on and on with them!!

I have a GP and a psychologist that I should go back to (sessions are free and they're within walking distance), but I wonder if it's worth it when my psychologist said me running an instagram account for a celebrity is me living in fantasy land

I won't write any more, because I can't see anyone replying. I've got nothing and nobody and just want to forget...

[Guest_1055]

Thanks for helping me to smile this morning Narelle. Yes it’s true that question actually hurts my head as well. So you are not alone. I cannot get my head around it.

But I know of someone who might, so I shall ask them.

This is making the brain think. Good protection for Alzheimer’s later in life. So that’s a good thing isn’t it?

You will get there Narelle, I just know it.

[Music_Freak]

I feel like crying...I've got to submit an essay plan for the essay I have no idea how to write...

The essay plan is due Monday at 9am and I'm so lost!! I don't even know who to ask for help when I haven't even started - I'm getting a doozy of a headache!!

[Birdy77]

Hi MF,

Do you have a tutor you could email?

How detailed does the plan have to be? You shouldn't have to have too much detail at this stage, just a very general plan or outline? E.g. do they require just a few dot points about what you'll cover in Intro/body/conclusion?

Remember you still have 3 days, so don't panic yet.

🌻birdy

[Music_Freak]

My post isn't here yet, but the plan assessement says that the lecturer will provide feedback.

I'm wondering if talking about political parties and stuff over the last 30 years and saying democracy is good or whatever would be enough to go with for the plan.

I don't really know what I'm doing with the essay yet (it's due 22.10), so I'm not sure if that's good enough.

[Birdy77]

I'll read your post when it lands, but in the meantime ... just a few thoughts :

1. Keep in mind you do not have to argue that our parliamentary system serves democracy well ... you might argue that it doesn't, or may argue that in some ways it does, and some ways it doesn't.
2. Your plan might say that you will define democracy and give a brief description of the party system in this country and outline the upper/lower house responsibilities and that you will then go on to critique how this system does or does not serve democracy well.
3. You may want to choose one or two specific examples of current issues where democracy is or isn't being served (I can think if two that are close to my heart where one was a positive, and one right now is a negative for the democratic process) I can share them if you're interested, but they may be of no interest to you. If you can come up with one or two I think would be showing how you can apply theory into practice.

Just some random thoughts.

Please be aware that I probably have no idea what I'm talking about 😁

How many words is it?

🌻birdy

[Music_Freak]

Wow Birdy...you have more of an idea about this than I do!!! Thank you for posting and please do share your ideas!! I need all the help I can get with this - I could kiss you!!

It's 750 words, so nothing enormous, but it feels like a lot to me, when I have zero idea

[Birdy77]

Ok, in my experience, it is difficult to get all you want to say into 750 words, so don't go too overboard with extra reading or a massive overload of research. Just do the basics, it will surprise you how small 750 words is once you have to define a few concepts, apply your reading and give an example or two.

My ideas for current policy issues are:

in the last week or so a bill was passed in the upper house (senate) to ban the live export of sheep from Australia. For it to be legislated, it then needs to pass in the lower house (house of representatives), but the Morrison gov is refusing to allow a vote on it (which stymied the entire process, if I understand it correctly, which I may not!). The thing is, Polls show that the majority of Aussies oppose this practice. There are vested interests within the coalition gov that are infirming their decision to stop a vote on this issue e.g. a strong Nationals influence and the National Party traditionally represent farmers, some of whom would wish for live export to continue, as it is their livelihood. So I dunno, but I feel like this could be used in argument against. I may be wrong and I'm just throwing ideas around.

My other idea is about the whole same sex marriage debacle of last year ... although it was a painful and damaging process for lgbtqi+ people, the outcome was positive and in my eyes was a win for democracy in that polls showed the majority of Aussies support marriage equality and finally it's happened (through a very convoluted and unnecessary process), but it's through.

Please understand that low very little about politics and am just purely popping some thoughts out there, which may or may not spark some ideas for you.

Kisses accepted 😁

[Music_Freak]

I'm going to get up at 8am and give this plan a good go...hopefully I can get it finished because I have tutorial activities that need doing.

I've changed my sheets and have crawled into bed...thinking and wishing I wasn't so stupid...

[Birdy77]

You are not stupid.

You are putting yourself out there to learn new things. That feels vulnerable. And it is, but it's courageous and good.

Enjoy your fresh sheets.

[Music_Freak]

Thanks Birdy, I appreciate all your support massively - you're still my voice of reason when I can't be 🙂

I got the grant today and have about $300 left after I got my savings where I want/need them to be and put a few hundred aside for next semester's text books. Not sure I've got enough, but I'll manage, having to find a little is easier than having to find the lot.

I need to pay a cancellation fee with my psychologist, so I'll make an appointment then. That will be my walk tomorrow...then it's home to the essay plan. It might slow down my completion plans a little, but I need the walk. As long as I finish it Saturday, I'm good. Shopping and driving anxiety Sunday.