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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. If you're interested - Beyond Blue also have a 'money and mental health' quiz to gauge a sense of how finances may be impacting your mental health and what to do next. 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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white knight Fortress of survival part 3
  • replies: 10

Some of us endure family division. It could be said that some also, due to living with extreme thinking and behaviour, are more likely to disown family and friends than those without a mental illness. This post is not to delve into the justification ... View more

Some of us endure family division. It could be said that some also, due to living with extreme thinking and behaviour, are more likely to disown family and friends than those without a mental illness. This post is not to delve into the justification of same but to cover the survival aspect of our decision making or if disowning was the decision of other upon you. When a young adult I saw the possible division of family as really traumatic. How could I survive without my niece that joined a religious cult? or my mother due to her narcissism?, or my school friend that judged my depression as an act of God? As I aged I slowly realised that family isnt who you share blood, otherwise we'd be stuck with them forever regardless of toxicity. Family is whom you choose and that has one big advantage- compatibility. Christmas seem to highlight these issues. What I find amusing (sorry) is how xmas after xmas some people endure the same arguments with the same relatives ...all because they are "family" and for the whole year in between they fume/dwell over the same negativity and plan what they'll say next xmas in combat. Why? Well some of us move on from all of that and find loving people to enjoy our time. This is one wall of the fortress of survival because we will find our company is more enjoyable by keeping out the tension and keeping in the loving caring ones. That balance is important for harmony and that is important for our mental health. Full rejection of family and friends that dont comply with this harmony isnt the only answer. If you can you should try to maintain a half way friendship- see them as acquaintances which could mean a "hello/ goodbye have a happy new year". Some of these people might be thinking the same and is quite content to keep it at that especially if the end result is enough to please the older members of a family longing for the whole family to be united. But remember, while you can attempt this if it doesnt work and there is conflict then it isnt your fault to remain absent from such gatherings. It is a right. Fortress of survival the original thread dealt with how, due to upbringing, we dont develop a screening of people and therefore allow anyone to enter our lives only to get hurt. Fortress of survival part 2 dealt with implementing filters to allow some to enter the gates of your life. Here in part 3 I'm suggesting to edge out family and friends that are not compatible and not endure their wrath at gatherings. TonyWK

Guest_1055 🌱 Diary- 5 Things You Noticed in Nature Today
  • replies: 314

Can you think of 5 things you noticed or observed in nature today, using all your senses? I was wondering if this would be a beneficial exercise to help us focus on something else instead of painful emotions, troubled thoughts, over thinking, anxiety... View more

Can you think of 5 things you noticed or observed in nature today, using all your senses? I was wondering if this would be a beneficial exercise to help us focus on something else instead of painful emotions, troubled thoughts, over thinking, anxiety feelings and the darkness of that alone place. As well as to see that there really is beauty all around us....

a13xx Trouble eating - trigger warning?
  • replies: 1

Hi, i’m not sure if i’m allowed to talk about this on here but I was wondering if anyone had any advice. I’ve always loved food, im a cook and i love working in the kitchen but I was hospitalised in a refeeding program a while back which I recovered ... View more

Hi, i’m not sure if i’m allowed to talk about this on here but I was wondering if anyone had any advice. I’ve always loved food, im a cook and i love working in the kitchen but I was hospitalised in a refeeding program a while back which I recovered pretty quickly after that. Only recently i’ve found that I can’t eat and I just never get hungry anymore…it’s nothing as emotionally intense as what put me in the hospital previously, I just simply don’t think about food anymore and I feel physically sick when I eat.I want to love food again and not feel constantly lightheaded and tired..anyone else experience this and know how to get out of it?Thanks

Shaun88 Any Experience living in your car f/t? What was/is it like?
  • replies: 7

Hey guys, i'm shaun i'm 31, and i was wondering if you or any one you know of that may have experiences relating to living in you vehicle that you can share. Much appreciated, Thankyou! **bit of a brief motive** i am weighing this as an option for my... View more

Hey guys, i'm shaun i'm 31, and i was wondering if you or any one you know of that may have experiences relating to living in you vehicle that you can share. Much appreciated, Thankyou! **bit of a brief motive** i am weighing this as an option for my self. Anywhere NSW coastal, where there is appropriate non offensive parking and facilities for hygiene of self and items. My goal is to purely to get away and work on my self by potentially studying at a tafe/ and or find something within my ability workwise and just stand on my own two feet. May last year, i ef'd all my fingers in a machine, as a bonus somehow can't contract one of my wrist muscle either. I've surrendered my insurance and surgeries, because of how toxic i view my relationships are. They always have been but amazingly the difference between being able to work(predominanly removalst), train at a park/gym, and my small hobbies was the difference between being able to get by 80% of the time. Yeh, so as long as it takes, i'm happy to live in my car if it works, work on myself, save for as many years for surg (2nd toe transplant if its an option) etc. Appreciate your time for reading ^_^ from Shaun.

aFox Social anxiety / dentist phobia
  • replies: 1

This year I went through opioid detox and it’s left me with very bad anxiety to go anywhere at all I’ve left my partners place maybe 3 times this year. im having extreme problems with my teeth, all my back teeth are at the stage of breaking, and rott... View more

This year I went through opioid detox and it’s left me with very bad anxiety to go anywhere at all I’ve left my partners place maybe 3 times this year. im having extreme problems with my teeth, all my back teeth are at the stage of breaking, and rotting. I was on opiates (15years) there’s holes all throughout my other teeth, old fillings have come away and I’m unable to eat. I take over the counter pain relief every 5hrs on very bad days or try twice daily with my other medicines. I’ve been saving for the dentist also but I’m on disability and it’s very difficult. I know I’m eligible for government dental and tried emailing them but I need to re enroll my card details and won’t even be seen ? I’ve been dealing with the pain for months and I can’t get myself to go …. I have crippling anxiety… I won’t even get Uber eats because I’m scared of being away from the unit. I don’t know what to do ? It’s a constant cycle of hating myself because I sit here thinking I need to bloody do this I’m going crazy I’ve not felt the same since my opioid detox it’s like I’m no longer numb to my surroundings and it scares me. iam diagnosed with Depression and BPD / PTSD .

quirkywords How to disagree respectfully? All ideas are welcome.
  • replies: 81

I have noticed especially in social media but also in real life, that people find it hard to disagree with respect. We have seen politicians being personal and rude to each other just because they have different opinions. I don't think it is possible... View more

I have noticed especially in social media but also in real life, that people find it hard to disagree with respect. We have seen politicians being personal and rude to each other just because they have different opinions. I don't think it is possible for us all to agree with each other but it is necessary for us to discuss our differences without attacking the personality of the other person. How do you disagree with people showing politeness and respect.? I encourage you to share your ideas, even if you find it hard to disagree respectfully. I feel for our mental health it is important for us to be aware of how our comments may affect others. Quirky

Belieber95 Anxiety/panic attack
  • replies: 2

I have had anxiety for quite a few years and only just this week It has been like panic attacks and I'm wondering what could be behind all of this

I have had anxiety for quite a few years and only just this week It has been like panic attacks and I'm wondering what could be behind all of this

savanah covid-19
  • replies: 4

hi guys how are I'm here to talk to you guys about how to stay safe 

hi guys how are I'm here to talk to you guys about how to stay safe 

white knight Accepting yourself, the frog and the scorpion
  • replies: 42

As part of your "staying well" program, accepting yourself for being YOU is crucial, almost a fundamental need if you want to move forward with your life and put your illness behind you in terms of the worry. Your goal should be to get on with life w... View more

As part of your "staying well" program, accepting yourself for being YOU is crucial, almost a fundamental need if you want to move forward with your life and put your illness behind you in terms of the worry. Your goal should be to get on with life with your illness as part of you, your meds taken as part of a nightly ritual barely entering your mind.Those that don't know about the "frog and the scorpion" story briefly it goes like this.A scorpion eager to get to the other side of the river asked a frog to transport him there in his back. The frog refused telling the scorpion that he'd sting him once he got there and he'd die. The scorpion insisted he wouldn't kill him so the frog took him to the other side. Almost at the bank the scorpion sung the frog and before dying the frog asked the scorpion (that was drowning)why he did that as he pledged he wouldn't....the scorpion replied "because its in my nature"....then both diedThe story has an almost daily place in my thoughts because all day everyday there are behaviours and actions, thoughts and fears that are there due to our "nature". We are who we are,..to an extent. That doesn't mean that if we rob a bank and get caught we say to ourselves "well that's me, I'm a bank robber and so be it, I wont change". It means that some of our characteristics, our responses, our humour our judgements and so on are essentially how we individually operate often like no other person on this planet. Every person has their right to individuality, there is no other like you (twins and triplets excluded) and there never will be.We should, as part of "staying well" value that, cradle it, nurture it and ...promote it within you and to everyone around you.How do we carry out this? Baby steps is essential. I notice this uniqueness among many. Jess Rowe a channel 10 celebrity (and BB ambassador) has a loud snort when she laughs. It's her, it is not intentional and some might find it unsavoury. She has mentioned it at times, that "it's me". It indeed is and I find that snort hilarious. I don't see it as a reason to dislike her...but some would.We live in a judgemental world and some will never accept us for being ourselves. We need that to sink in. We cannot "save the world" by wanting a blanket acceptance.So should we be the frog or the scorpion? Well the scorpion survives right! But we are not scorpions, we the ones on these pages are frogs that need to develop a little more wisdom wary of who you oblige.Tony WK

darkenedsun new grad and work
  • replies: 1

I'm a new grad nurse and started in the ED recently in a very busy public hospital, and I've been there a total of 6 weeks. This is my first full-time job as a full-blown RN, and I got the job 2 months after graduation so I was pretty excited. I knew... View more

I'm a new grad nurse and started in the ED recently in a very busy public hospital, and I've been there a total of 6 weeks. This is my first full-time job as a full-blown RN, and I got the job 2 months after graduation so I was pretty excited. I knew it wasn't going to be all peonies and roses working as a nurse, especially not in the ED, but I feel like this job is sucking the absolute life out of me. In orientation, they told us about transition shock that happens when we go from being a student to a professional and what it means, but holy moly is this horrible. I feel like I have become obsolete, like a zombie... an angry one. I don't blow up at work but when I come home I am angry at everything. I feel like throwing sh*t when I get home from work. I don't take care of myself like I used to. I don't have the motivation or the energy to shower when I get home. I used to love skincare as a sort of self-care thing, but now I just can't give a damn. I feel like I don't have a life anymore. I barely have the energy to engage socially, like even just talk with my parents, much less friends. I forget to answer texts and calls and am starting to feel some repercussions. I get so angry, like teeth-gritting angry when I'm home. I used to love to go to the beach or just for a drive, but now I just can't be bothered. I stay at home all day on my days off, and just binge eat.. I would probably eat the entire house if my stomach could handle it, and I hate how I physically feel after, all bloated and gross. I just don't have the energy to hit the gym. I just feel so emotionally drained. I feel like an empty husk of a person. At work, it's just putting out one dumpster fire after another, with the daily trainwreck right at the end of the shift, also while averaging about 20000 steps a day while also not having time to go on a break or even drink a sip of water. Doing all this, get abused by patients and getting paid a measly amount every fortnight. I feel so nauseous and anxious every time before I go to work. I don't know, I feel so emotionally and physically depleted. I don't have anyone who would actually listen to this shit without telling me to start a business. I had one of the worst days at work so far, and right after I had handover, all I could think was, damn I hate this place (the hospital) and I hate nursing. I can't really switch careers now, and in no way shape or form would I do anything that would harm my patients.