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Sophie_M Money stress? You are not alone!
  • replies: 4

So, I’ve been chatting with my friends over here at Beyond Blue and it seems we all have something in common right now: money worries. Whether it’s stressors about finding enough cash for the basics or wishing we had enough money for a holiday, we al... View more

So, I’ve been chatting with my friends over here at Beyond Blue and it seems we all have something in common right now: money worries. Whether it’s stressors about finding enough cash for the basics or wishing we had enough money for a holiday, we all seem to be experiencing a greater amount of stress surrounding money than we have in the past. And it’s impacting our ability to show up fully for the things we love. It’s not uncommon for us to experience shame and fear around expressing our financial challenges; it can be hard and somewhat taboo to openly discuss money matters. However, we believe this conversation is incredibly important and beneficial to have. Like all challenges, ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’, so let’s help each other out. Of course, discussions about the economy and how to manage our money during inflation are a much larger (and frustrating!) conversation… but what we would really love to know is what your personal experience around money is. Are you feeling the pinch too? How is added financial pressure impacting your wellbeing? When was the last time things felt even slightly easier? And if you have struggled with money in the past but come out the other side, what suggestions do you have for others who might still be finding their feet? This is an opportunity to share openly and honestly about your experience in a judgement-free space. There are no wrong answers, and we encourage you to share all the things that you might be finding hard to express in your every day life. Looking forward to your answers! Abundant hugs from yours truly, Sophie M.

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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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

Luke_4_you Cut the rope that binds you
  • replies: 30

I thought about my life & when I was young, I often focussed on the trials of life. I didn’t understand that so often a fear or doubt was “tied”, like an invisible rope, back to hurts or “bad times” of the past. This “rope” would control my life. Con... View more

I thought about my life & when I was young, I often focussed on the trials of life. I didn’t understand that so often a fear or doubt was “tied”, like an invisible rope, back to hurts or “bad times” of the past. This “rope” would control my life. Conscious efforts to overcome it would not work. A few years ago I realised that what controlled me were lies or deceptions that drew my focus to the “ropes”, and that the “ropes” could be cut. I was able to understand that the hurts, lies, mis-use, manipulation, etc. throughout life often resulted in resentments against the people responsible. Often, old hurts, etc. were hidden and I no longer consciously thought about them. Quite a few years ago I was given a Christian brochure. "Forgiveness is the power that heals!" ... very simply, if you put your trust in God to accept your forgiveness of those who have wronged you, He will help you with many other benefits. A few days later I opened the brochure and home alone, I decided, "I will give this a go!" I took a large pad and pen and looked up and said, "God, I think I have forgiven everyone, but please reveal to me the names of anyone I need to forgive!" Almost immediately "Your grandparents", came into my thoughts. My reply was, "What do I have to forgive them for, they died before I was born?" Immediately I "heard", "Because you were cranky at them dying, because you didn't have grandparents like other children!" ... I thought, "Correct!" and started the list. Over the next hour or so I listed about 30 names (including myself a few times) ... I was amazed how I could recall the names and the circumstances. I then "pictured (as best as I could recall)" each person coming to me. I advised them that I forgave them and told them of the incident(s) that caused me to be hurt. I then directed them to Jesus, Who was sitting on a seat nearby, “He will forgive you as well.” It took over 2 hours to go through the list. The result, from that day, not a headache, a cold nor a twinge from a previous crippling backache, nor any other illness. I gave it “a go” and I received amazing results. The brochure I read is available off the internet. Simply key in "Forgiveness the power that heals".(it was created by Dick Innes, an Australian now living in California). I believed it was going to work and I received! All those ropes/ties holding me back were cut . I didn’t look back, I just keep giving thanks and forgiving anyone else that does me wrong.

white knight Your life priorities
  • replies: 4

Our number one priority in life is our children. Beyond that, its ourselves. We owe it to our loved ones to do our best to survive life. Its a personal responsibility of the highest order. What about beyond that? What is our duty in life? Making inco... View more

Our number one priority in life is our children. Beyond that, its ourselves. We owe it to our loved ones to do our best to survive life. Its a personal responsibility of the highest order. What about beyond that? What is our duty in life? Making income, providing shelter, seeking nutritious food and other basic needs.? Many with mental illness struggle for direction, for meaning in life, a feeling of worthlessness. If this is how you feel, there is much hope. Lack of focus on the valuable things in life can leave you in a daunting situation of just "existing". This can often leave you empty and spiral you into an abyss of despair where you think there is little hope of meaning, of value and of fulfillment. In contrast as an example someone the helps other people daily gets that personal satisfaction as a constant inner reward, a feeling of satisfaction that produces a spring in ones step. Why?. What is it that uplifts us when helping others? I believe its a primitive need. Beyond our priorities of caring for our children then ourselves, we as humans need to care for others as a means of survival as a race. To last hundreds of thousands of years we had to care for each other. Helping other people produces vigor. After being a good Samaritan for an old person in need, to care for disabled people. It means we have direction, something to feel proud of. Its doing what's right. An old lady friend of mine, a widow, in her late 70's is a prime example. She'd never roamed outside her home. It was suggested to her to attend the local Salvo shop to volunteer her time. Her first day was hard, being introduced to staff, but after her first cuppa and chat she was on her way. People in need with their pride dented entered that shop and left with some bare basics like blankets and children's clothes. The words of appreciation saved her from her life of misery. She found smiles. Now she runs the shop. Her whole focus is helping those in need. She is in effect satisfying that primitive part of herself...helping fellow human beings. To her there is no better feeling. She is alive! Oddly enough, and it is not only ironic but makes a lot of sense, that lady is very rich. Her wealth is now however not just in equity but in compassion. Do you feel you lack meaning in your life? Do you have a story of what uplifted you from despair? Tell us about it. Make us smile Tony WK

Guest_2350 Helpful strategies for anger
  • replies: 11

Hello All, I am realising lately that I have battled angry phases most of my life and I would be really grateful if you shared your helpful and positive strategies to deal with anger. Running and physical exercise is something I have used before and ... View more

Hello All, I am realising lately that I have battled angry phases most of my life and I would be really grateful if you shared your helpful and positive strategies to deal with anger. Running and physical exercise is something I have used before and it helps. Unfortunately I cannot exercise as I used to - and I struggle with motivation to do easier exercises. Stomping instead of walking helps only to a certain degree. Meditation is difficult when I am angry as my mind just races and does not want to calm down. Any ideas how I can get my mind to slow down so I can meditate? I would love to be able to step away from my angry thoughts. I am able to control my anger in front of other people, but I think that only adds to my isolation and feeling frustrated and misunderstood. I don't think I ever realised what an angry person I am. I am not even sure if that is the right word. There are so many emotions that come up, but lately I have "lovingly" named this recurring mood "angry bird days" in an attempt to make them a little bit lighter. I cycle between angry bird, sad face, numb numb and present. At least I now know these cycles come to an end, whether it is an hour, a day or a week... I do have meds to take when I struggle and I do have a psych but I would really like to know what else might have helped other people. Thank you, take care, Yggy

Guest_3072 Healthy Eating and Exercise Tips??
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I just thought I'd post on here that I want to be more disciplined with healthy eating and starting a regular exercise routine. I already know what I need to do, I just need help with motivation and keeping myself on track. Does anybody ... View more

Hi everyone, I just thought I'd post on here that I want to be more disciplined with healthy eating and starting a regular exercise routine. I already know what I need to do, I just need help with motivation and keeping myself on track. Does anybody else have any tips on how I can stick to healthier eating and my exercise routines without relapsing, which is something that I have gone through time and time again? Kind regards, Gabby

Faithh Put your positive stories of bounce backs and recovery here! :)
  • replies: 10

Good evening friends! I just wanted to start a thread of positivity, as I've been having a bit of a hard day with general anxiety/panic/thinking too deeply about life to a point of kiiiiind of depersonalization/how do I even exist!? Ha! Existential c... View more

Good evening friends! I just wanted to start a thread of positivity, as I've been having a bit of a hard day with general anxiety/panic/thinking too deeply about life to a point of kiiiiind of depersonalization/how do I even exist!? Ha! Existential crisis!! It's always a bit harder when I'm having a quiet day alone, so hoping to hear from some of you lovely people! I guess I just want to say that since joining BB last week (why didn't i join earlier!!) it has really helped to 'normalise' me and make me feel less alone. Logically I know I'm not alone in this fight, however of course I do feel like I'm the only one feeling these emotions! It's always such a relief to pop online here and read/catch up with threads which can always help, even if it's a little bit. I couldn't go see my therapist today as she wasn't feeling well, so coming here has helped a touch. I would love to hear your own experiences of panic and existential type deep thoughts and how you recovered or are recovering! Thanks so much guys, means the world to me! xx Faithh