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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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amd1953 The Good Old Days
  • replies: 1

There is one period of my life that I always like to go back to when I'm feeling a bit down or lost. Just the memories that I have of the relatively short time I had with my grandfather are enough to lift my spirits. I was born in Devon, England and ... View more

There is one period of my life that I always like to go back to when I'm feeling a bit down or lost. Just the memories that I have of the relatively short time I had with my grandfather are enough to lift my spirits. I was born in Devon, England and in a small village that was surrounded by beautiful countryside. In those days in the late fifties and sixties, not many people owned cars, so the roads were much safer and less congested than they are now. What I loved most about that time were the walks my grandfather and I would take. All of them were absolutely magical and I learned so much about natural history and the adventure of each outing was electric. There was always so much to discover and see. It truly was a wonderful part of my younger life. It was one of those times that you wish would last forever. But of course nothing stays the same forever and I found the loss of my grandfather devastating when he died of cancer in the mid-sixties. When I look back now, it was all too brief a period and fortunately I still carry the memories that make life so interesting and special. I only hope that others can find similar times in their lives when life seemed a little more idyllic and a lot less hectic to look back on and remember with fondness. It makes you realise how short and fleeting life is. I think it also gives us stabilising anchor points in our lives that we can remind ourselves that sometimes the good times have the power to shine through the times of darkness when we try to make sense of the negativity that makes up life too. Staying well and safe and being true to our own sense of being are surely the most important aspects of life itself. Why not take time out now and then to remember the times and people that meant so much to us?

amd1953 Keeping a Daily Journal
  • replies: 2

One of the best things I discovered was the habit of keeping a journal or diary. I tried to get into the habit of recording anything that might prove useful if any issues arose and I needed to refer back to them in the future. It might not be for eve... View more

One of the best things I discovered was the habit of keeping a journal or diary. I tried to get into the habit of recording anything that might prove useful if any issues arose and I needed to refer back to them in the future. It might not be for everyone, but it may be worth considering as a way of keeping tabs on moods, emotions and thoughts. Anything at all, in fact. Some people keep a visual journal which includes written entries as well as items such as photographs and sketches. Once again, anything could be used to improve the experience. These journals would also provide a way of perhaps lifting the daily burden simply by looking through it and searching for items that might lift the dark clouds on a heavy mood. Just an idea.

Birdy77 Words of comfort, encouragement and wisdom
  • replies: 839

To all the beautiful people Words placed in a particular order can have a profound effect on us. Words can bring us a moment of comfort, give us a different perspective, or change the course of our thinking and outlook entirely. I would like this to ... View more

To all the beautiful people Words placed in a particular order can have a profound effect on us. Words can bring us a moment of comfort, give us a different perspective, or change the course of our thinking and outlook entirely. I would like this to be a space where we share quotes that have meaning to us or that have the potential to bring some comfort or encouragement to somebody, even if just for the moment in which they are reading it. I will start. Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." - Mary Anne Radmacher Go gently with yourselves lovely people. birdy

Debbie Downer First Week of sobriety
  • replies: 2

Hello, Not sure what I'm wanting to achieve here or what kind of advice people can give me that I haven't already read but some reassurance would be nice I think. I am 11 days off drugs and its been a rollercoaster of emotion, my childhood trauma has... View more

Hello, Not sure what I'm wanting to achieve here or what kind of advice people can give me that I haven't already read but some reassurance would be nice I think. I am 11 days off drugs and its been a rollercoaster of emotion, my childhood trauma has come to the surface and I am faced with all these feelings I've been avoiding for over a decade. I want to stay strong and I want to be better so I am writing this as a way to vent and seek support from people that have experienced the same and got through it.

Ggrand Nature is both beautiful and healing...🌲🌸🦋
  • replies: 71

Hello Everyone.... I love nature and I find it very helpful in helping me in healing way..when I’m not in a good head space...I was wondering if others feel the same and am hoping that you might share your piece of nature, whether it’s a small patch ... View more

Hello Everyone.... I love nature and I find it very helpful in helping me in healing way..when I’m not in a good head space...I was wondering if others feel the same and am hoping that you might share your piece of nature, whether it’s a small patch of grass in your back yard..somewhere that you drive to, to just relax, somewhere close to you that you walk amongst...and if you have really taken the time to listen, watch, feel, smell, the wonders all around us.. I love nature..the trees, flowers, creatures both big and small, it’s my solitude place, a place I go to when things are getting to hard for me.. I am lucky, I have this huge gumtree which I found out about recently... It was planted around 70 years ago by a local here when she was a little girl, and living in the house I’m now living in...About 5 years after she planted it, a strong wind with rain blew it down....A few of the locals saw her trying to stand it up to replant it...and they came to help her...and successfully managed to replant it....Today it’s easily over 60feet tall and just as wide, the trunk of the tree would need 4 people to hug it by joining hands.. The tree stands in front of my place and in front of the paddocks across from me..which the owner has some Angus cows, which love to lay under the tree....Birds are everywhere here, and a few use the tree as their home.. I sit outside for hours sometimes, watching the birds come and go for food and water I have supplied for them in bird feeders and bird baths....It’s a beautiful and peaceful way to relax watching and feeling what Mother Nature has provided for us... For me it’s both calming and healing... Do you have a piece of nature around you...and how does it make you feel when you take the time to just look and take in the wonder of it all.... We would love to hear about how nature helps you...and do you find that it can be healing for your soul... Kind and caring thoughts everyone.. Grandy..

quirkywords How do you not let others negative comments hurt you
  • replies: 25

Helloi am not sure if anyone can relate. I get upset when I feel people are being critical of me but I worry I am over reacting.people say let it go take a deep breath.so what do you do when someone is critical.How do you cope.?

Helloi am not sure if anyone can relate. I get upset when I feel people are being critical of me but I worry I am over reacting.people say let it go take a deep breath.so what do you do when someone is critical.How do you cope.?

Guest_1055 *Trigger warning* Eating for Health and Wellness
  • replies: 1406

I have been struggling eating and eating healthy foods over the last couple of weeks. I really do not want to go back further to how I use to eat, that is eating junk food, takeaways, copious amounts of chocolate, processed junk and comfort eating. F... View more

I have been struggling eating and eating healthy foods over the last couple of weeks. I really do not want to go back further to how I use to eat, that is eating junk food, takeaways, copious amounts of chocolate, processed junk and comfort eating. Finding it challenging to stay motivated to actually prepare what I know helps me feel better mentally, emotionally and physically. Plus I have been feeling overwhelmed with other stuff happening in my life, which somehow makes it more challenging. The old unhealthy comfort eating thing is coming back. And I think I am getting concerned and scared about that. I so much do not want to go back to how I use to be. I was so sick. Plus I now have some physical things not right in my body , so I need to be more careful and mindful of what I eat. ( Pre cancer cells , high blood pressure ) I was eating really well since Febuary of this year, it’s just the last couple of weeks I haven’t. So I would like to use this thread to help me be accountable to Beyond Blue people. So like a diary where I can post and report what I eat. And also any healthy eating tips, motivating strategies to help eat better or anything related to healthy eating for our bodies including our mental health.

douglaid I think that all I need is to vent.
  • replies: 2

I am 81 years old, born with inherited depression. I was a breech birth as well, and left with neurological deficiencies. In my youth, depression was almost unheard of. My treating pediatric neurologist knew, but it was kept hidden from me. I wasn't ... View more

I am 81 years old, born with inherited depression. I was a breech birth as well, and left with neurological deficiencies. In my youth, depression was almost unheard of. My treating pediatric neurologist knew, but it was kept hidden from me. I wasn't interested in girls. My brother and sister both married inappropriately, just to declare independence. For my sister's wedding, I decided to partner a girl I had met only recently. We turned out to be a perfect match. My sister called off her wedding, but our romance continued for over 50 years as of today. I feel "different" and "abnormal," like an observer of life rather than a participant. I am taking meds, which are not a cure, but help me cope. I keep wishing to find a cure, but it would need genetic engineering. I have looked on my condition as more of a disability than as an illness, pushing my self as far as I can, within my limitations.

Luckylukyno Q and A for you
  • replies: 8

I hope you don't mind me asking, as it can be a sensitive subject but...If you suffer from long term unemployment what would make you get back out in the workforce if you had a chance? Try do something for yourself today! Some things I did today for ... View more

I hope you don't mind me asking, as it can be a sensitive subject but...If you suffer from long term unemployment what would make you get back out in the workforce if you had a chance? Try do something for yourself today! Some things I did today for myself were:1. Have a shower and wash my hair2. Get an important task done

Trying_to_fail_better Graduate teacher terrified and doing it anyway!
  • replies: 6

Hello all, I just wanted to share my feelings in a safe space with people I feel would understand them. I'm a recent graduate who took on my first teaching position this year and have spent most of term 1 off due to unexpected struggles with my physi... View more

Hello all, I just wanted to share my feelings in a safe space with people I feel would understand them. I'm a recent graduate who took on my first teaching position this year and have spent most of term 1 off due to unexpected struggles with my physical and mental health. I had to take a 2 year break from study to focus on getting help with my mental health (I have CPTSD, ADHD, depression and anxiety) and it helped me finally develop self-compassion and stop believing I'm unlovable. I was really excited to start this job despite knowing it was going to be hard (it's a tough to staff secondary school, I'm primary trained, it involved a big move to a new place away from family/friends etc.) but I got COVID in week 2 and that totally threw me off! I tried going back to work before I was really recovered and gave myself lots of evidence that I couldn't teach so I got really hard on myself and took some huge steps back in my recovery. My mental health care team came together brilliantly, made me take the last 5 weeks off and helped me reflect on what was going on in my head. I'm feeling much more like myself again and back to being excited but I've got a lot to catch up on and the imposter syndrome/perfectionism are still there. The truth is, as much as I'm excited to have another go and have been more open and honest about needing support from my coworkers - I'm also terrified!I'm not letting the fear stop me from trying this time, but it's there. I haven't mentioned that to my coworkers because I don't want them to assume I'm not ready or wanting to return, but the part of me that cares so much about succeeding I'm willing to stop myself from attempting it to make sure there's not risk of failure needs to be heard! I am so so scared that it won't go well, I know it's going to be hard and I know the learning curve will be steep. I'm also determined to do it anyway and refuse to give up on myself after how hard I've worked to get to this point. If anyone else out there is confronting the terror that it making your dream a reality, know that you're not alone.