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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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LaurieD Sharing & Encouragement = Resilience, Endurance & Meaning in Life
  • replies: 2

Hey lovely people I'm hoping in this thread that we can share about experiences, what gives us strength & hope, to encourage. Life can be brutal but there's still beauty in it too. By sharing the wisdom etc we've learned perhaps it'll help someone el... View more

Hey lovely people I'm hoping in this thread that we can share about experiences, what gives us strength & hope, to encourage. Life can be brutal but there's still beauty in it too. By sharing the wisdom etc we've learned perhaps it'll help someone else = great stuff :). My brief definitions: Resilience = bouncing back Endurance = sticking with it for the long haul Meaning in life = “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” Friedrich Nietzsche Atm my life's tough - anniversary times (PTSD, grief), have to leave my beloved island n move, daughter has suppressed immune system in a pandemic, fragile health... I try to believe things like: sometimes life is fair & good & sometimes it isn't; I can learn to be content anywhere, get used to a new place & still grow; it's not what happens to me that matters but how I respond to it. I need only get through this day, this moment. I stop still, tune out the world, close my eyes & tune to my 4 other senses & seek peace. Most things aren't a crisis & don't even matter - takes a while to realise that sometimes sigh. And why bother with what life is asking of me now? Why go on? Because I have artwork to create, wisdom to discover, love to give and I want to become bigger than my problems, faults & shortcomings - to be a wonderful person regardless. Recently I heard this in a Sherlock Holmes audiobook (by Arthur Conan Doyle): "Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things - our powers, desires, food - are really necessary for our existence, but this rose is an extra. It's smell, it's colour, are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only Goodness which gives such extras and they shine like stars in our world of shadows where treachery & betrayal are the currency of life, driving poor human beings into madness and despair." It's not easy. Too often it's damn tough to take my attention off the brutal & seek out the beautiful, even if just for a few moments. We can celebrate the lovely moments together, not in denial of the hard stuff but in spite of it. I think of my body as a container for a whole universe inside of me; that universe is as beautiful and wonderful as I choose no matter what's happening in the outer universe. Such power! I am still free to choose my attitude (as Frankl taught). Often it's a stinking attitude lol but at least I can choose a good one too; much nicer. I wish you courage & peace. Laurie

Larnzi Feeling like Self Isolation is a setback
  • replies: 2

Hi all, Hope you are all keeping safe in this crisis. I am finding self isolation a bit hard. I can fill my days & find things to occupy me but I'm feeling quite lonely. A couple people knew I was feeling quite anxious about this because I was worrie... View more

Hi all, Hope you are all keeping safe in this crisis. I am finding self isolation a bit hard. I can fill my days & find things to occupy me but I'm feeling quite lonely. A couple people knew I was feeling quite anxious about this because I was worried about being at home with my family 24/7, not having the social contact with people I would normally have when on a term break & having my routine broken. I have been in isolation for almost a week, lots of arguments at home with my family & not one person except my brother has contacted me to see how I'm going. I know I could contact people but that is one of my fears I am working on with my psychologist at the moment as I think if I contact anyone when I "need" they will see me as the old clingy needy me & so therefore I won't contact anyone. But to my surprise I did text 3 people to check in & see how they are - only one asked me back how I was & that kind of hurt. Although I keep busy during the day, I am spending my day also hoping someone would contact me just so I feel somewhat cared about. Am I alone in feeling this way? Two weeks ago I was living life with not having to have people contact me to validate me feeling cared about but the last few days I feel like that is coming undone. Any advice or just to know I'm not alone in this would be great. Thanks so much. Larnzi

blondguy Coronavirus & Your Music...A Feel Good Thread
  • replies: 15

Hi Everyone! New members are always welcome to post too This thread topic and the Coronavirus have one thing in common...They are both temporary! This is only a 'Feel Good' thread topic as the music you LOVE can help with its energising effect thus p... View more

Hi Everyone! New members are always welcome to post too This thread topic and the Coronavirus have one thing in common...They are both temporary! This is only a 'Feel Good' thread topic as the music you LOVE can help with its energising effect thus providing a feeling of relaxation...increased focus and emotional well being too Sometimes going through periods of huge stress/anxiety I always forget to use music as a self nurturing method to 'ground/distract' myself What is your 'FEEL GOOD' song/artist that helps lift your spirits in this difficult time? my kindest always......Paul Note: Beyond Blue have provided the official thread about 'Coping during the coronavirus outbreak' for everyone in the link below www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/coping-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak

Guest_1643 Making friends when vulnerable
  • replies: 33

Hi all, I'm building myself up after I was unwell recently and was linked in t the Triage, who helped me manage some severe depression/anxiety/suicdal ideation. I'm lucky it's gone well for me, but am now looking to connect more to new people and org... View more

Hi all, I'm building myself up after I was unwell recently and was linked in t the Triage, who helped me manage some severe depression/anxiety/suicdal ideation. I'm lucky it's gone well for me, but am now looking to connect more to new people and organisations. I am starting to meet people, but they are now in recovery groups etc and have their own mental health problems - i'm wary although also curious, if maybe they could be real friends for me. I'm also just enjoying being out and about with people. My feeling was alwys that i'd rather be alone than be with toxic friends who don't support my mental health, and when i was very low i feel like my friends gave awful advice, and even discouraged me from taking the time off to get better and get well. So, screw that. But finding friends who can be there for me seems really challenging. How do you connect to people when you feel really vulnerable?

Wilee How to stay well with new social distancing rules
  • replies: 4

I have noticed my mood/mental health has gone down hill since the new social distancing rule has rolled out. I feel very alone and isolated. I live by myself and I normally keep myself active socially by in order to stay well. But literally everythin... View more

I have noticed my mood/mental health has gone down hill since the new social distancing rule has rolled out. I feel very alone and isolated. I live by myself and I normally keep myself active socially by in order to stay well. But literally everything social has shutter down, I find it extremely hard to feel that I am a part something or I should say I have lost the sense of belonging. Friends also have withdrawn themselves for social distancing. I understand all that is necessary but I really need some advise on what I need to do to get out of this feeling

Guest_9043 Studying while in recovery from a mental breakdown.
  • replies: 4

Hi all, My head is still a bit messy after my mental breakdown. Slowly I can feel the fog starting to clear a tiny bit. Still a way to go. Before my mental breakdown I was looking into a Proofreading and Editing course I really want to do. I still wa... View more

Hi all, My head is still a bit messy after my mental breakdown. Slowly I can feel the fog starting to clear a tiny bit. Still a way to go. Before my mental breakdown I was looking into a Proofreading and Editing course I really want to do. I still want to do. I am not working or studying at the moment. It's been on my mind the last two days. It has very much a sel paced online course. I'm thinking if it is the right time to go for it now or is it bad timing after a mental breakdown recently. With everything happening with the Covid 19 isolation, social distancing and event after event being cancelled, I am wondering if this is a good thing to keep me occupied and perhaps communicating with others. Study buddies online etc? I am very passionate about this course and I know I will put my 150% in. I want to feel like I have some purpose and it may also help with a routine for me. Also a distraction from personal issues and raising my self esteem. Helping me too with my loneliness issues. I'm just trying to decide if it is a good move right now concerning my nervous breakdown and that I'm sleeping somewhat more due to fixing my exhaustion. Thoughts are much appreciated.

Qn23 When feeling good feels wrong...
  • replies: 2

Self-care is something that more and more people are talking about these days. It was not a term I ever heard growing up, but one I learned when I first went to therapy. I see the value in it and I wish I could practice it, but not only do I have to ... View more

Self-care is something that more and more people are talking about these days. It was not a term I ever heard growing up, but one I learned when I first went to therapy. I see the value in it and I wish I could practice it, but not only do I have to constantly fight myself to perform any kind of self-care, when I do, I feel ashamed. Like I shouldn't need to take care of myself. I shouldn't need to feel pleasure. I shouldn't need basic comfort even. Doing nice things for myself feels so wrong and I don't know why. Doing anything to care for myself feels wrong, even showering. I only do it because it's a requirement that I am presentable at work. When I'm not at work, all I can do is distract myself from how bad I feel. I always have something streaming while I'm on my phone, or computer, or reading. Or all of the above. Or drinking. The thought of actually doing something to make myself feel good instead of just distracted is nauseating. Like if I showed myself some compassion it would kill me. I feel very stupid writing this, but I have admitted to myself that I need some help. I want to have a real life instead of just finding ways to waste time.

Music_Freak Pets - tell us about yours
  • replies: 99

I was just searching for an old thread here about how pets help us with mental illness/health and it seems to be gone, so I thought I'd start another one. As some of you know already, I have a black cat named Buddy and he's my life, basically. I have... View more

I was just searching for an old thread here about how pets help us with mental illness/health and it seems to be gone, so I thought I'd start another one. As some of you know already, I have a black cat named Buddy and he's my life, basically. I have no friends or contact with family currently, so he's it. Knowing he's around is a great comfort and during bad periods he's generally the only thing that gets me out of bed. So, go ahead and share anything about your pets and make us all smile.

Guest_4643 Struggling to cope, please help.
  • replies: 33

Hi, my name's Tayla and I'm 20. Relatively new to these forums, but I've commented on threads and made some of my own so far so if people could check this out and the others and reply it would mean a lot please, although I'm not forcing anyone. I hav... View more

Hi, my name's Tayla and I'm 20. Relatively new to these forums, but I've commented on threads and made some of my own so far so if people could check this out and the others and reply it would mean a lot please, although I'm not forcing anyone. I have a great Psychiatrist that I'm very thankful for and happy and comfortable with. However it can be a while in between sessions because he has other patients and other work to do, and other non Psychiatry work commitments with other work stuff he does. I see my GP, but I don't find her as helpful as my Psychiatrist. Yes she's nice and sometimes she helps, but I don't know, I just don't feel like she helps me as much as my Psychiatrist does. I'm not trying to be rude or say anything mean about her, that's just how I'm starting to feel lately. I live in a small town in Regional Victoria, about 4000 or so people. Lived up here for about 2 years, with my parents. I don't have any siblings, no friends online and in person and no family members apart from my Mum and Dad. They struggle some days too with depression etc also. I can't do anything here. I've looked for jobs even asked in person and I'm always told no although I'm willing to learn. I've tried to join groups here and I'm always told I'm not allowed because it's for older people. I don't know why. I'd be grateful to join and try to be positive and laugh and meet people, and do whatever they do. I also can't study because that's super expensive. All of the free courses I've looked up you need qualifications and certain things, for example you had to do a course prior to doing a free one, have to be a certain age and have certain skills, etc. So I don't. I don't have any Employment Agencies nearby, I do look things up online. I'm not really a sporty person and sometimes I regret that. Even the local sports won't accept me though. Believe me I've tried everything I can. I even called the local triage and the guy on the phone was so rude, refused to speak to me and help me and I was polite and just asked if I could come in for support because my Psychiatrist and I discussed that and he said I could give it a go. That made me feel so hurt and unwanted because I've never spoken to a triage before. I went to the local Headspace Centre and was made fun of for my mental illnesses by the managers and group members. I complained and she lost her job. eHeadspace has always been rude and unhelpful to me too. Please, please help. Anybody. I'm struggling so much. Tayla.

ilovetoread73_ harassment by nasty neighbours - question
  • replies: 3

Hello, I live in an apartment block. I have one unit who has problematic neighbours who do argue with other neighbours. However they have zoned in on me because that old conundrum when someone is not like everyone else people like to pick on those as... View more

Hello, I live in an apartment block. I have one unit who has problematic neighbours who do argue with other neighbours. However they have zoned in on me because that old conundrum when someone is not like everyone else people like to pick on those as they think they are good targets. These particular neighbours have learned by accident I have a mental illness, but don't know which. However as their lease has ended or they already had a leased that was on a "rolling" lease, no end date. Anyway they are trying to get me to move. Our household is small and they now say they shouldn't be put out because there was an incident when I got angry over noise. It was 4.30am and what I said was not said directly to them but they are using it now that they know I am sick. Is there a law against these people using m-illness to harass others. Right now they have music going very loud and they are banging everything. Someone told them to turn the music down.