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Just Sara A Bouquet for Pearls - share your appreciation for other members
  • replies: 715

Every now and then, members share a beautiful Pearl of Wisdom. How often do you think to yourself; "OMG that's great! I wish everyone could see this." Presenting someone with a bunch of flowers is a generous way of acknowledging their insightful word... View more

Every now and then, members share a beautiful Pearl of Wisdom. How often do you think to yourself; "OMG that's great! I wish everyone could see this." Presenting someone with a bunch of flowers is a generous way of acknowledging their insightful words. I hope this thread stays active through members giving out praise regularly to people they feel deserving, and therefore keep generosity of spirit alive within the pages of BeyondBlue Forum. My bunch of Red Roses (my choice) goes to Wishful for the following sentence; 'Personally, I see no reason to be praised in me, but I'm learning that seeing through the eyes of others can be more accurate!!' I so hear you Wishful. Just beautiful... Try to keep your leading comments short to focus on 'their' words. Choose specific flowers (or a gift if you like) to present to them. Sign off respectfully and sincerely. I hope this takes off... Spreading the love...Sara

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LuLu88 EXERCISE
  • replies: 9

They all suggest it. Every organisation you come across when searching mental health, depression, anxiety etc..... Eat healthy and Exercise. Easier said than done, am i right?! After battling depression, anxiety and PTSD since my pre-teens (now in my... View more

They all suggest it. Every organisation you come across when searching mental health, depression, anxiety etc..... Eat healthy and Exercise. Easier said than done, am i right?! After battling depression, anxiety and PTSD since my pre-teens (now in my late 20's) I have tried a butt tonne of methods for coping. This one seems to be sticking - and Im now a personal trainer. What!? Its really hard to get out of bed somedays, but knowing I'm bringing some functionality to someone else's day kinda helps me get some perspective. I'm currently looking into volunteering my time as a trainer at a local women's shelter. My idea is to give them some small physical 'wins' for their week even if mentally they haven't felt so strong. For me exercise is something that I can look forward to, a moment that i can focus on me, feeling good and nothing else. What do you think? Please - Tell me your stories on how you use exercise for your mental health OR let me know if you have yet to feel it's benifits.

Rosemail13 Be proud of yourself for taking action
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, This is my first post so hopefully its in the right section. I am 21 and have GAD. A lot of the time i tend to feel sorry for myself but at this current moment im feeling positive even though I am a little on edge so i thought i would po... View more

Hi everyone, This is my first post so hopefully its in the right section. I am 21 and have GAD. A lot of the time i tend to feel sorry for myself but at this current moment im feeling positive even though I am a little on edge so i thought i would post while im feeling good. I am determined to overcome GAD and what has been helping me so far is : writing notes to myself in my phone with positive affirmations ( which on iphones can be locked if like me you are worried about someone finding them by accident) trying to exercise regularly even on the days when you dont feel like it- something is better than nothing, even if its a 15 minute walk or some air squats in your lounge room I also like to remember that even when im having a bad day im still doing really well because i am acknowledging my problems and doing my best to deal with them even if it just means getting out of bed some days- its harder for us than it is for some people so in my opinion its something to be proud of Im not sure if this post will be at all helpful but if you are reading this and not feeling so good today just remember feelings are temporary, this is your challenge to overcome and be proud of yourself for taking action, being on this site in itself is an achievement Take care everyone xx

white knight Living a worthwhile life
  • replies: 7

Lately on this forum we've had a number of sad souls that for whatever reason, are in a "worthless" boring life. The hard line answer with this problem is that we are all responsible for our own happiness. We need to read the newspapers for local hob... View more

Lately on this forum we've had a number of sad souls that for whatever reason, are in a "worthless" boring life. The hard line answer with this problem is that we are all responsible for our own happiness. We need to read the newspapers for local hobbies, sports and social events for interaction. Or google, a great tool we never had 20 years ago. But its easier said than done. Some of us regardless of our ability to find the company of others can't extend ourselves to what its like to not be so talkative. If you are introverted or simply are in a rut please google Topic: depression, the "snowball effect"- beyondblue It is important to find motivation...how? Well there is no easy first steps. It is important to find your comfort zone with groups. Some groups are breeding grounds for destructive attitudes, don't hang around them, move on, find that comfort zone. If you are not happy in a group it doesn't mean its your fault. Confidence is elusive. You have to keep fighting to achieve it. Topic: being withdrawn to achieving confidence- beyondblue Even those of us that have broken through the social brick wall to get the confidence we badly need we still have doubt. We always will. Perhaps we never got told how good a boy or girl we were often enough.? But we can make life worthwhile. Voluntary work is a favourite of mine. Its an avenue to begin your snowball of happiness. Do you know of ways to make life worthwhile? Tony WK

Guest_322 Share your stories on forging your own path.
  • replies: 35

Hi everyone, I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about expectation, choice, conventional and non-conventional paths. I was hesitant to put up this thread but here it goes... My personal thought is that even in this day and age, there's often a... View more

Hi everyone, I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about expectation, choice, conventional and non-conventional paths. I was hesitant to put up this thread but here it goes... My personal thought is that even in this day and age, there's often an implicit expectation that everyone gets married, has kids and has a full-time 9-5 job. Don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting married, having kids or a 9-5 job. That's not what I'm talking about here. The point that I'm trying to make is what suits one may not do another. And I think we can sometimes do a major disservice- even with the best intentions and even if it's accidental- to each other when we pressure others to follow a certain path. It's not always explicit pressure, it's often implied e.g. with comments like "when you get married" where the assumption is you will get married. Never mind that maybe some people don't want to get married, don't believe in marriage or can't get married in Australia in the case of the LBGTI community. I would suggest saying "if you get married" instead. I feel that my point isn't about getting married or not getting married; I feel my point is about how everyone has their own path to follow and that we shouldn't make assumptions about other people. I know it might seem petty that I'm commenting on "if" versus "should" but the difference between those 2 words holds immense power in my opinion. Anyway, now that I've gotten that off my chest...I really want to hear from the round pegs in a square hole. Please share your stories about the road less travelled- the obstacles, pressures as well as triumphs you had to overcome to pursue your path Dottie xxx I feel as though I could learn something from you guys. And I feel others could too.

Ailie Discover Dance
  • replies: 3

Hi all I've had clinical depression for close on 20 years which has seen me go through some rollercoaster moments in life. A few years ago I was at the lowest I had ever been, I had a good job (although working away from home) and a loving partner, b... View more

Hi all I've had clinical depression for close on 20 years which has seen me go through some rollercoaster moments in life. A few years ago I was at the lowest I had ever been, I had a good job (although working away from home) and a loving partner, but everything around me and in me was dark. I then discovered dance. It seems quite cliche but it was watching So You Think You Can Dance in 2014 that made me want to give it a try. My fitness was abysmal as was my sense of rhythm, but I decided to give ballet a try and have never looked back! It was slow and gentle enough for my fitness level, and combining the slow and soft movements with music really helped to connect to a part of myself that I didn't think existed. I'd become so hardened over the many years that graceful movement didn't seem right, but it very quickly became a part of me. Everything now just seems so much lighter, and I've even started taking pointe classes after just two years, so it's proof that you can never start too late! I would definitely recommend giving it a try to anyone, there are schools around that do basic level adult classes for brand new people, and there are Facebook groups around too that can help you get connected. I'm in WA and have done classes with WA Ballet and many others, so happy to advise if you need.

MickeyM My anxiety symptoms keep changing
  • replies: 6

Hi all! I've been diagnosed with anxiety a number of years ago, but something I've noticed is that my symptoms can change. When I was first diagnosed, I was actually having full blown panic attacks; I was waking up with a racing heart and feeling sic... View more

Hi all! I've been diagnosed with anxiety a number of years ago, but something I've noticed is that my symptoms can change. When I was first diagnosed, I was actually having full blown panic attacks; I was waking up with a racing heart and feeling sick. I'm waking up ok now (still grinding my teeth and generally tired, but no where near as bad as I was.) Nowadays, I occasionally get the racing heart & shortness of breath, but for milder anxiety, I could get any combination of dizziness, tightness if the throat, upset stomach or just generally feeling "jittery" Its frustrating as I feel like each time I challenge the anxiety in some way to minimize the impact, it's like the anxiety says "oh yeah? Well cop this!" and comes up with some new symptom. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks

white knight Focus and never ever give up
  • replies: 3

Easier said than done but the alternative is not an option for me and shouldn't be for you. Consider this: of all the positive people in the world many were never positive in their early life. They became positive. How? In my experience there are lev... View more

Easier said than done but the alternative is not an option for me and shouldn't be for you. Consider this: of all the positive people in the world many were never positive in their early life. They became positive. How? In my experience there are levels of positive mind. The problem with a prominently negative attitude with bursts of drive and optimism is that one can believe they are positive but haven't undergone the full change. So the full change is what I'm talking about. The turnaround can come from shock as it did for me in 1982 as a young insurance salesman attending a motivation lecture. Google Topic: 30 minutes can change your life- beyondblue , or it can come from having a tutor mentor or reading. It can even come from inner strength tired of the effects of a give up frame of mind. It is never a bad time to change for the better. The ultimate focus is maximum thought pattern change from negative thoughts to nearly always positive. "Nearly" because grief, the requirement of it, following trauma is hard to find positivity at that time Such change is obvious to us that are there already. You missed a bus...if you didn't you wouldn't have seen the beauty of watching colourful butterflies circling a bush. You observe someone racially abused on a train you intervene. You leave and realise the positive is the smile the victim gave you You get a speeding fine. Well that will force me to slow down. It could save a life. You break you leg. You are on crutches. Some people never stand up. I tripped over a few days ago. I laughed...I couldn't fall any further... Being ultimately positive doesn't cure depression. You have to allow for those times. As positive as I am I still need to accept that those days I'm almost debilitated need to be endured. It helps to know that as my depressive episode subsides I'll be back on track and living happily again. It gives me more hope. Being positive also means your attitude is infectious. You not only recognise a negative thinker immediately, you strive to rub some of your enthusiasm onto them. Sadly, it often falls on deaf ears. Change for some is not possible in their eyes. Yet it can start in an instant, to embrace all things in life with vigor. Cloudy days abound. Wait, that cloud break will come and shine on you. Or it will remain cloudy, gloomy and without hope. I decided to focus on the moment the sun bathes my soul. You can to. Tony WK

The_Possum Memory issues
  • replies: 11

Hey all Has anyone found that their memory has been affected as a result or either mental illness or medication or maybe even both? I didn't experience any mental health issues until last year but since then my memory has been not quite like it used ... View more

Hey all Has anyone found that their memory has been affected as a result or either mental illness or medication or maybe even both? I didn't experience any mental health issues until last year but since then my memory has been not quite like it used to. Sometimes I'll need to re read a page twice for the information to sink in. Or I might go into the kitchen and forget why I went in there. I use post it notes a lot these days. As I'm studying I really notice it a lot. I have raised this with my GP and psychologist but neither can tell me definitively whether it's having a mental illness or the medication. Just that I'll need to live with it. Any input would be great. I'd love to read about others experiences with memory issues. Thank you x

CMF Good reads and how did you find them helpful
  • replies: 7

Hi, I am often on the lookout for good books to read to help with anxiety, self confidence, positivity and the like. I thought perhaps we could share what we have found interesting and helpful. A friend recently lent me a book called "Assertiveness f... View more

Hi, I am often on the lookout for good books to read to help with anxiety, self confidence, positivity and the like. I thought perhaps we could share what we have found interesting and helpful. A friend recently lent me a book called "Assertiveness for Earth Angels" by Doreen Virtue. This book has the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end as i resonate with so much of it. My friend told me it changed her life. There is one chapter in particular called "toxic relationships" and it talks about the different types of toxicity. Well I have to say whilst reading this chapter I kept saying to my myself OMG, OMG. It has made me realise just how toxic a certain person in my life is, he fits into most categories. It has made me breathe a sigh of relief, to understand that his type of behaviour really is toxic and not acceptable, it's not me over reacting or being over sensitive. It's re confirmed that to find peace i need to keep my distance from him as much as possible. i've realised that I am not a disgrace, or useless, or stupid. The issue is with him,not me, he needs the help. For anyone who has been in any sort of abusive relationship, who suffers anxiety, depression because of how they have been treated, anyone who is making excuses for someone, trying to justify their behaviour, this is a good read. This book is about learning how to speak up in relationships without being drawn into the drama, learning when to walk away, how to maintain inner peace whilst having boundaries and how to overcome fears about saying 'no'. This book has been a revelation for me. It is about things i knew but was denying to myself. It has reaffirmed that i am a worthy person, a good person, a person with a good heart trying to do my best with what i have. It has given me a sense of calm (for now) and peace as i realise I am not what i have been made to believe i am. I am better than that. My actions do not come from being a "bad" person they are in retaliation to how i have been treated and spoken to. I hope others can read this and start to feel better about themselves. CMF