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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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swannees Exercise
  • replies: 6

Certainly has helped me even if on not so good days just putting one foot in front of the other helps. On better days I do much more exercise.

Certainly has helped me even if on not so good days just putting one foot in front of the other helps. On better days I do much more exercise.

Snoopy33 GAPS Diet
  • replies: 1

Just wondering if anyone has been on the Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) diet and had success with it or know of someone who has?

Just wondering if anyone has been on the Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) diet and had success with it or know of someone who has?

Roberty_Bob One year sober today
  • replies: 20

Probably the single most important action I've taken to manage my depression.

Probably the single most important action I've taken to manage my depression.

Ed209 A very big thank you
  • replies: 3

I've been going through the depression issues that many of you have faced and although it's still lurking there, it seems to be in control. A large part of managing the issues has been the benefit from the community of support through the forums. The... View more

I've been going through the depression issues that many of you have faced and although it's still lurking there, it seems to be in control. A large part of managing the issues has been the benefit from the community of support through the forums. The forums have been a very real lifeline. I recognised the syptoms early, as I had previously made contact with Beyondblue. While I was incapacitaed with depression, I still knew what to do to get out, and that gave me the tools to start helping myself. I went to a GP, openly discussed the situation, got medication. The medication gave me the breathing space to start to put my life back together. Read the Beyondblue forums every day. Started meditation Started regular exercise (Just walking on the beach. I had to initailly force myself to do this, and then it became enjoyable) Started eating again but this time eating only healthy food Restarted my interests, joined meetup groups going things I liked so I had something to look forward to each week. Tapered off the medication (in discussion with my GP) More exercise, joined Health Fund Exercicse group Reconnected with friends Read the Beyondblue forums every day. Most of these I learned from the forums A very big thank you to all those that post in the forums, the advice and insights have been a lifeline.

The_Journeyman What Works for me!
  • replies: 13

I stay well by: 1 I changed my relationship to the society I AM forced to live in. It is Corrupt, competitive, cruel and greed based and not at all how we should live together in cooperation harmony and mutual respect. I realised that this "slavery" ... View more

I stay well by: 1 I changed my relationship to the society I AM forced to live in. It is Corrupt, competitive, cruel and greed based and not at all how we should live together in cooperation harmony and mutual respect. I realised that this "slavery" was the cause of my soul pain or depression if you like. 2 By the use of "I" statements and owning everything I say and not hiding behind "WE" or "YOU" statements. 3 By deprogramming my self from codependent behaviour. 4 By taking total responsibility for everything that happens in my life. I AM Master and Commander of my life. 5 By trusting my In-Tuition. 6 By following my heart 7 By going barefoot and getting as close to nature as I can 8 'Anything that is not nurturing for me i call the "Beast". I no longer feed the beast! 9 By KNOWING that there is No-Thing wrong with me! Hope this resonates. Love Bob

BP1 World Bipolar Day
  • replies: 1

We may think it's nothing to celebrate, but I always see it as an acknowledgement of what we go through daily, how important our carers are, and our survival.

We may think it's nothing to celebrate, but I always see it as an acknowledgement of what we go through daily, how important our carers are, and our survival.

Ashmad It will not beat me 😉
  • replies: 2

It doesn't matter who you are what you have it will find you. I will infest you to core of your being. It is unrelenting and will not let go. It is with you for life!!!! There is one difference. Do you let it control you ? It is up to the person that... View more

It doesn't matter who you are what you have it will find you. I will infest you to core of your being. It is unrelenting and will not let go. It is with you for life!!!! There is one difference. Do you let it control you ? It is up to the person that you are to decide where it stays and I choose for it to be at the back of my brain. Not to come forth, but stay there where I can control you and you cannot, control me. This is my journey so far and by God it has taken a long time and many countless hours of counselling and soul searching to get here. This has been my journey for the last eight years. I will have the last word not the black dog!!!!! There is a end to a dark tunnel and it is light,happiness and inner strength

RedCurrawong What I've learned so far...
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone; first time poster, long time social "anxieter" When I was 13 I suddenly realised that I didn't have many friends, and thus began my problems. I began to worry, get depressed, and wonder what was wrong with me; leading to social anxiety/a... View more

Hi everyone; first time poster, long time social "anxieter" When I was 13 I suddenly realised that I didn't have many friends, and thus began my problems. I began to worry, get depressed, and wonder what was wrong with me; leading to social anxiety/avoidance and low self esteem. 10 years have passed and I've tried many times to get rid of these psychological hindrances. From self-help books and psychologists and much reflection, I have summarised my own kind of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) "guidelines" which have helped me: 1. Be Honest: Set yourself free of trying to "please" everyone else and just be yourself. You don't need anyone's approval. Only if you be yourself, you can find people who you can truly be happy with. 2. Accept your negative thoughts: But move on. All your perceived inadequacies, all your negative thoughts, your fears, all your past mistakes. Ruminating over these will not fix or prevent anything. Instead, focus on the present and the now. 3. Be rational: Be fair. Acknowledge the positive points not just the negative; don't just see the glass as half empty. 99% of the time our absolute worst fears don't occur but yet each time we panic and worry over them way out of proportion. 4. De-awfulise: Realise that you are just one person, of over 7 billion in the world, of over trillions of planets in the universe. Anything bad that happens in your life should be seen as just that. A bad thing. We shouldn't feel as if it was the "worst thing in the world". Besides, most of the time we cope with bad situations with time. 5. Just do it: Most CBT programs will focus on behavioural experiments. That is because psychological strategies can only get you so far, you need to act if at all you want to make a change. If it feels uncomfortable then it is probably good for you. Challenge yourself, desensitize yourself, let go of safety behaviours (very important), and fake it before you make it. Anyway just felt like I'd share what I've learned so far about coping with anxiety. Hope you found it helpful in some way. Feel free to add any other strategies, I'd be interested in hearing what has worked for other people. Thank you for reading

Damien Religion and Depression, Anxiety, &c.
  • replies: 22

Hello. I have noticed on a few of beyondblue's Facebook posts in particular that there are occasional Bible verses posted as if the answer to mental illness is found in religion. In other places I have noticed that people who have a religious faith h... View more

Hello. I have noticed on a few of beyondblue's Facebook posts in particular that there are occasional Bible verses posted as if the answer to mental illness is found in religion. In other places I have noticed that people who have a religious faith have had their "reason not to feel hopelessness" abused by people who don't like religion at all. I am interested in this stream and wonder what people's experiences of this sort of thing is. Does Christianity (and other religions) offer anything positive to the way we feel as Anxious and Depressed people, (and I experience GAD, Depression, and Social Phobia), or is religion just another reason for people to bully us when we're down because we "don't have enough faith" or we're "sick because we're superstitious"? Please don't Bible-bash or bully me with your atheism. If however you have been Bible-bashed or put down for being religious I'd love to know how this has affected you as a person with Depression or Anxiety. Thanks, Damien.

Hoddie32 Meditation, yoga, mindfulness classes, any suggestions?
  • replies: 8

Hi, I'm sorry if this is a topic that's already been covered. I was just wondering if anyone had had any experience with meditation, mindfulness or yoga classes and had any recommendations for what they felt helped them. Personally I've tried just ly... View more

Hi, I'm sorry if this is a topic that's already been covered. I was just wondering if anyone had had any experience with meditation, mindfulness or yoga classes and had any recommendations for what they felt helped them. Personally I've tried just lying down on my own and meditating but it doesn't really work out. I wanted to join a class or course in Melbourne where I have to make a commitment to go each week and make time for it. Any suggestions?