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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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ScarlettR Watching City 4K videos on Youtube to remain feeling connected during pandemic times
  • replies: 4

Hi, I have a mental illness and depression, but I love walking around in public and people watching. It's always refreshing no matter what day it is or how I woke up that morning. Now in the pandemic, it's not possible with the cities being in lockdo... View more

Hi, I have a mental illness and depression, but I love walking around in public and people watching. It's always refreshing no matter what day it is or how I woke up that morning. Now in the pandemic, it's not possible with the cities being in lockdown. But on Youtube, there are videos - called 4k videos - of people filming themselves walking through streets in cities around the world. Basically, the filming person is holding a camera or tripod and record their walk from their point of view, from about 30 minutes to up to 3 hours, just walking through cities and passing people and shops. London and American ones are quite entertaining, and I do watch walking videos from my hometown, Melbourne. Being in the lockdown, it gives me a slight release by watching what's going on in the outside world. If I can't go out yet in public, at least I can watch it for free online, yes? For those who get depressed or anxious, do you like these kind of videos?

Rooster19 Wanting to not feel so alone!!
  • replies: 1

Hi I am in a pretty isolated place right now. I just wanna see if someone can relate to my situation. I turn 40 on Saturday. I resigned from a teaching career three weeks ago which wasn't working for me so now I have had to move back in with my Mum w... View more

Hi I am in a pretty isolated place right now. I just wanna see if someone can relate to my situation. I turn 40 on Saturday. I resigned from a teaching career three weeks ago which wasn't working for me so now I have had to move back in with my Mum which is 1500km away from where I was working. Being 40 and living with my Mum is not something I am very happy with. I naively thought I was fitter and more adaptable than it turns out I am. I would like to work in a job that is hands-on like a trade. I don't know whether I can because I have a back issue and other things that come with being my age. I would also like to become confident and resilient enough to meet a woman and start a family. I thought doing a job that fulfilled me might help but now I don't now what to do for a career. The whole trade thing feels like it might have been a bit of a pipe dream and something I should have investigated 20 years ago. Feeling pretty shattered and disappointed right now. I am struggling to find my identity and self-belief in a new environment. As a 40yo single, unemployed male with 2 university degrees who is very unhappy with himself, I am very unsure of where to start. Is it possible to find hope and overcome things like this? Can anyone please share any similar experiences that could offer me some hope? Do I start on the mental health side of things first (treatment etc)? Being unemployed at least I don't have added job stressors. Should I try and somehow sweep all the relationship stuff aside? I have never had a girlfriend before. This is just an honest snapshot of where I am at. If anyone can relate to my situation, please reply to this thread. I would appreciate not feeling so alone with this all. Kind regards

spontaneous sunflower How to remain sane during Melbourne lockdown?
  • replies: 1

I think maintaining some sort of routine is important when you struggle with anxiety, but I find it so difficult to keep a routine going longer than a week and it’s even harder now in Melbourne stage 4 lockdown. I don’t have a job and I don’t study, ... View more

I think maintaining some sort of routine is important when you struggle with anxiety, but I find it so difficult to keep a routine going longer than a week and it’s even harder now in Melbourne stage 4 lockdown. I don’t have a job and I don’t study, so I am stuck at home. I feel so unproductive with most of my days and on the days I do something productive such as exercising or cleaning, I try to drag it out as long as I can, which I know won’t be maintainable once things return back to normal. I find it so hard to get out of bed in the mornings, I feel bored all the time and I’m just going crazy! I spend way too much time on my phone and I feel so sluggish all the time. I want to spend less time on my phone, i want to get up a little earlier and have a better morning routine. And I want to workout regularly and eat better. I’ve been eating either too little or too much during lockdown 🤦🏼‍ I’ve tried to incorporate activities into my day such as reading or spending time in my backyard but it’s just not enough. As I’m sure many of us are, I’m just so over lockdown. I miss my friends, I’m sick of messaging them or video chatting, I want to be able to hug them. I want a routine and a sense of normal back.

SapereAude R U OK Day 2020 - 10 September
  • replies: 6

R U OK Day 2020 is due to be held on September 10. Whilst mental health is always crucial, it takes on new meaning this year under unprecentedetr circumstances. Don't wait for the official day, but start now. Ask your family, friends and workmates, "... View more

R U OK Day 2020 is due to be held on September 10. Whilst mental health is always crucial, it takes on new meaning this year under unprecentedetr circumstances. Don't wait for the official day, but start now. Ask your family, friends and workmates, "R U OK?" Time to reconnect and help others through these tough times.

Kjp1409 Dealing with chronic illness
  • replies: 6

Hey guys! I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease late last year and have really struggled with all the symptoms. A big part of the symptoms are depression and anxiety and I just get so overwhelmed with sadness from feeling like I'm running at only ... View more

Hey guys! I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease late last year and have really struggled with all the symptoms. A big part of the symptoms are depression and anxiety and I just get so overwhelmed with sadness from feeling like I'm running at only 60% every day. I have a great support network but often feel like I'm so negative all the time or like I'm always complaining and don't want to burden anyone. Is there anyone else on here who struggles with a chronic illness and can relate? No one else in my life has an autoimmune disease and I would love to be able to chat to someone on here who can understand the struggle and can give some tips on coping with the mental and physical symptoms. Hope you're all holding up okay during this pandemic- what a weird time we live in right now!

SwansandSharksMan Facebook and Friends
  • replies: 3

I have always had a policy in my Facebook life of not having any work colleagues as Facebook friends. I have just always wanted to keep work and personal life separate. Does anyone else believe in this? Lately, I have been thinking of breaking this r... View more

I have always had a policy in my Facebook life of not having any work colleagues as Facebook friends. I have just always wanted to keep work and personal life separate. Does anyone else believe in this? Lately, I have been thinking of breaking this rule? As I am working from home and not seeing my colleagues as often, I was thinking of adding work colleagues to my facebook? What are the pitfalls to this? Small things like finding out a group at work went out and didn't invite you etc? My boss's job almost borders on HR and she has said she cannot have certain people at work as facebook friends. My wife is a teacher and cannot have students. She has to have a false name so she cannot be found by students. What are your thoughts?

Wishes How to Host an Online Games Night
  • replies: 6

Something I've really struggled with in iso is being able to create a space where meaningful connections and laughs can be created with my friends. So I thought I'd detail some ideas as to how to host a games night online, which I can personally say ... View more

Something I've really struggled with in iso is being able to create a space where meaningful connections and laughs can be created with my friends. So I thought I'd detail some ideas as to how to host a games night online, which I can personally say I've done and did not regret! SOME STEPS Choose your platform- Zoom? Facebook Messenger Video Chat? Facetime? Skype? Google Meet? Microsoft Teams? The options are endless! Send out the link to your friends, and dedicate some time to a great hangout. Pick a theme. No, seriously. It sounds silly, but it brings the level of the games night that next step up. We had a 'Wild West' theme one night, and my friends all tried to find a cowboy hat, a plush toy stallion, and some kind of flannel! Other ideas include 'Royalty', 'PJ night', 'When I Grow Up...', 'Anything but a Hat', 'I'd Never Wear This Out', 'Crazy Hair', 'Masked Mayhem' and 'All White/Black/Red' night. Pick some games! Let me list some out. Scattergories. It's a classic. Type in 'Scattergories' into Google Images, pick a list, pick a random letter, and set a timer for 3 minutes! You write down a word for every category in the list beginning with that letter, and hope that no one else wrote it down too, or you lose that point! House Hunt. You give each other a list of 5 household items, and the first one to bring every item onto screen first wins! For example, you may say "Bring me a banana, a spoon, a book, a towel and a spatula!". Skribbl.io - This game is an online one, but just requires a link to be sent out to play! It's basically live, online pictionary. So fun. Household Fashion Show - Make your room the runway! The participants have 3 minutes to find an item for categories you decide to make up. For example, you may say construct an outfit out of some kind of paper, a bowl, a sheet, a pair of gloves and a hat. Jumbled Jargon - Get a really long word that no one will know the definition of. Put the word in chat, and have everyone private message you their version of the definition. Then, send everyone's definitions into the group chat or read them out. Players get a point if people believe their definition is the correct one, or if they guess the correct definition of the word! These are just a few ideas to improve your pixel parties. Let me know below if you have any other games that you are using to connect with friends at the moment! Excited to see a thread full of fun ideas.

contrarymary Gerd and heartburn -any sufferers
  • replies: 4

After what seems like years of persistent chest pain I have been finally been told I have gerd. The worst part is the severe heartburn which always seems to strike at night and worse when lying down. any other sufferers on here with any ideas on how ... View more

After what seems like years of persistent chest pain I have been finally been told I have gerd. The worst part is the severe heartburn which always seems to strike at night and worse when lying down. any other sufferers on here with any ideas on how to sleep that's the worst as it's more painful when lying down and it's very hard to sleep standing up. GP says it's trial and error to find out what food makes the pain worse the way things are going it will be chicken and salad for each meal any fellow heartburn sufferers out there with ideas.

Guest_1055 Laughter & Smiles 😂
  • replies: 4

Hello I just really want to be able to genuinely laugh and genuinely smile. Like something that just bursts out of you. Sometimes I just ache to be able to. I know what it feels like to have that happen. It feels so much better then being gloomy and ... View more

Hello I just really want to be able to genuinely laugh and genuinely smile. Like something that just bursts out of you. Sometimes I just ache to be able to. I know what it feels like to have that happen. It feels so much better then being gloomy and sad. So freeing. I am tired of being sad. I want to be able to genuinely laugh and genuinely smile. Is it possible? And does anyone else think anything similar? What makes you laugh and smile? I do have a few instances in my life that I have just laughed and laughed. Perhaps I will share them. Has anyone else reading experienced instances like that, I would like to read about them. Guess I am hoping this thread might be a good place to share laughter and smiles. Anyway just putting it out there...

BabySteps I Fear that I'm NEVER Going to Live MY Life/Starve In Poverty or Die/TRAGEDY
  • replies: 1

I am 25 Years Old, and I am still trying to pursue my Driver's Licence, AND get my Vehicle, but haven't been able to Drive for Over 9 Months because of Corona Virus - Covid 19, It's a Huge Problem to not have a DRIVER'S LICENCE, And I have a limited ... View more

I am 25 Years Old, and I am still trying to pursue my Driver's Licence, AND get my Vehicle, but haven't been able to Drive for Over 9 Months because of Corona Virus - Covid 19, It's a Huge Problem to not have a DRIVER'S LICENCE, And I have a limited use of Public Transit Skills, because I never need to go anywhere, with the Modern Online Shopping and living directly near a Shopping Plaza/Grocery place I have the convenience, I wouldn't need to use Public Transit unless, I absolutely had to for Work, If I were Possibly Suitably Employed I am wrongly being treated for Schizophrenia, and I have contracted Pre Diabetes Type-2, I've also being perceived wrongly potentially by my GP to have Autism, when I 100% don't have It, I however have Pension, and have saved $16,000 + Thankfully, and I have been able to provide a Smile here and there and something for myself too, I have No Academic Ability to Pursue UNIVERSITY, and I am not Interested In any College Studies, or Mentally Attentively committed, I am not Interested In ANY Practical Hands on Trades/or Apprenticeships, so TAFE Is not for me, Nutrition seems alright, but I don't care entirely enough for It, You can't get Entry Jobs, without Experienced OR Trained Employable Skills, or Further Educational Qualifications, and None of them seem suitable for me, I can only think about RETAIL, and that's Low End Crap, with No Job Security, Work Life Balance/Flexibility and there Just CASUAL Positions, with No Needed Work Benefits, and not enough Abundance of Wealth for Modern Cost's of sustainable Melbourne Living In 2020 I also can't make Friends, because I don't want to Put myself out there, Who would want to be-friend a Turtle Grown Infant, who doesn't Drive at the moment, or have Employment/Sturdy Long Term Employment more so *I ACTUALLY, think about wanting a Escape from Reality, because without my Independence and suitable Employment, Even If I get my Independence later, without Skills/Experience or Further Study I can't even deem for a Entry Job, and ENTRY JOBS are depleting and plainly SHIT, and I want a Decent Life not Just Survival, The only Happiness, besides my Pension Savings Is that (My Brother has advanced a lot better than me)