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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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Clairbearclair Stuck??
  • replies: 2

I am pregnant and close to my due date, i work for the government and on maternity leave and this is my second pregnancy. I have a supportive partner that does everything within his means. He works a full time job and has to travel a hour and a half ... View more

I am pregnant and close to my due date, i work for the government and on maternity leave and this is my second pregnancy. I have a supportive partner that does everything within his means. He works a full time job and has to travel a hour and a half to get there, 3 days a week our son makes the commute with him to go to daycare. We have been trying very hard to secure a rental in the area, recently i requested some feedback and decided it is best to leave our dog and our cat behind with my parent's where they are happy but it is just depressing. The other problem is money all of a sudden, we got messed around with our pregnancy insurance and i am seeing a specialist obstetrician, i have paid a large amount of it off but still have a 4000 bill, and the hospital is charging me 2600 because our specialist is a private doctor. Even though it's all inclusive. I really wish i didn't bother with pregnancy insurance and going private. If i wasn't so close to my due date, i could have time to see a public specialist. But i am so close and bubs is sitting very low now.. and i have already paid a lot and done all the care with this Dr? I have ptsd from violence in my childhood and when i was pregnant last my partner and i briefly split so i was alone with the labour and although we were able to work through our differences the separation destroyed me and i never truly got over it until a year ago. So being pregnant again it's bringing up some old feelings even though i thought they were resolved from the bottom of my heart? I need to add (sorry) i am the person in the relationship that does all the organising, all the bills and money saving and appts and deadlines for things. My partner does as much as he can but i don't know what to think. I don't know what to do, i am too overwhelmed and i am miserable now. We have to pay the bills now and the Dr is saying a payment plan is fine but the ladies at his reception were oh so god damn rude and made me feel less of a human, even giving me a ultimatum because i missed 1 payment but it was their fault not mine and they didn't want to admit fault. The Dr says his sorry about it please don't worry about them but how can i not after what was said? I never been confronted like that in my life and i work for government. I cried on the spot and they did it to me in front of my 3 yr old boy. I have gone from feeling really confident and cheerful about this pregnancy to really down, stressed crying and stuck in this house.

arimadik13 I’m worried about my eating
  • replies: 2

I’ve really struggled with body image issues since I was about 9. I always had a strong and athletic figure as a kid, and when I entered my teens I had curves much before my peers but was still a healthy weight and size (if anything I was leaning tow... View more

I’ve really struggled with body image issues since I was about 9. I always had a strong and athletic figure as a kid, and when I entered my teens I had curves much before my peers but was still a healthy weight and size (if anything I was leaning toward under weight). I have always been self conscious and had a relationship with food that involved a lot of guilt. I put on weight last year (10kg) and began a starvation diet not long ago, and ended up losing the weight. I became vegetarian/gluten free/dairy free and wouldn’t eat more than 600 calories per day. Even eating at all would give me huge feelings of guilt and I would cry uncontrollably because I felt so bad about putting anything in my body. It has now turned into something I can’t stop. I thought once I lost the weight I could get out of that mindset but it’s still gripping me. This is exacerbated by family telling me how bad I looked with the extra weight, and how much better I look now. I don’t feel like I can talk to anyone in my life about it and am really at a loss for what to do. My mother has also always had bad body image issues and has almost encouraged them in me. She is also trying to lose weight and it’s like she almost sees it as a competition. She got mad about family commenting about my weight and now isn’t being very nice to me. It’s just making things worse. I feel so alone and trapped in my head. Does anyone have any suggestions.

romantic_thi3f Are there any games that you play to help you stay well?
  • replies: 10

Hi all, I've been reading a lot lately about games for mental health (mainly anxiety and depression) and how gaming can help a lot - both for people struggling with illness but also in recovery. One of my favourites is SuperBetter which is an app tha... View more

Hi all, I've been reading a lot lately about games for mental health (mainly anxiety and depression) and how gaming can help a lot - both for people struggling with illness but also in recovery. One of my favourites is SuperBetter which is an app that helps you 'level up' with different everyday tasks - even simple things like going for a walk or texting a friend. It's free too - on Android and IOS. Is there any games that you really enjoy? Any that you find helps you switch off or feel like yourself again?

David Nobody I feel as if I have *finished*
  • replies: 12

Hi, I’m back, and I’m still not achieving anything productive, and I’m back to thinking “what is the point?” My “salary continuance” is going to run out in November/January (depending on which date they use, start of “issue”, or start of payment) and... View more

Hi, I’m back, and I’m still not achieving anything productive, and I’m back to thinking “what is the point?” My “salary continuance” is going to run out in November/January (depending on which date they use, start of “issue”, or start of payment) and I don’t have anything to replace it, or know if I need/want anything to replace it. Psychiatrist has said “I’m good to not see her for 6 months” (about 4 months ago I think). Psychologist is ongoing with an appointment every 4/5 weeks. But not a lot of progress, I’m on a long plateau. Weekly “group sessions” are basically a check-in and pass the time. I’m occupying my time writing, but that is exactly what I am doing, “occupying my time”. I get no real enjoyment from it, and there is added pressure (that I put on myself mostly) to get a certain amount written each day. The lack of sales/interest has reduced the pressure from the outside world as I can now say “see I told you”, and the do-gooders-with-the-best-of-intentions are backing off. I’m Half-heartedly looking for a job, similar to the one I chucked to get myself into this ludicrous situation. Approx 10 applications a week for the last month or so, with 1/4 saying “no thank you”, and 3/4 non reply. I’m eligible for Centrelink work placement assistance, so am probably eligible for a disability pension. That and my super would cover costs, and money from inevitable inheritance would close any gaps. Health/exercise/weight/food/sleep/sun are stable, not getting worse, but neither are they getting better. And lack of weight loss over the last year, with significant effort to reducing it, doesn’t help motivation. That and I really don’t care, I only do it because I am told. Blaming the medication would be an easy answer, but that would only be an excuse. I have no interest either in pursuing friendships or relationships. And I’ve forgotten my point in writing this... as I have forgotten many things. N

NahiV Feeling demotivated after almost 2 years of job search in my field.
  • replies: 1

Hello, I graduated with a Masters degree in Accounting and Finance in 2017 and since then have been applying to jobs in my field. However I am still unable to secure even an interview and it is so disheartening. I dont know what I am doing wrong and ... View more

Hello, I graduated with a Masters degree in Accounting and Finance in 2017 and since then have been applying to jobs in my field. However I am still unable to secure even an interview and it is so disheartening. I dont know what I am doing wrong and I feel like such a failure. I have been working in food service since I graduated, and I am currently doing a course which gives me some extra skills to add to my CV related to Accounting. I am also a migrant in this country with little local experience and most places I apply to requires you to have permanent residency which I have applied for, but will take time to process. I just feel hopeless and although I spend ages on my cover letter and cv, it seems like no one is interested in hiring me. I just have this mentality everyday like "what is the point?". I live with my husband and my in laws and I just want to be able to afford to move out and have our own place. My husband has a mental disability and is unable to work, which is hard too... Anyway thank you for hearing me out

Nippy Nippy
  • replies: 9

I have a bad problem with alcohol dependence, I am so desperate to stop I will try anything. I have endured much emotional pain in my life. During the last 3 months things have gotten considerably worse as I have developed chronic neck and back pain.... View more

I have a bad problem with alcohol dependence, I am so desperate to stop I will try anything. I have endured much emotional pain in my life. During the last 3 months things have gotten considerably worse as I have developed chronic neck and back pain. I find the alcohol helps with sleep and coping; however the next morning its not so good so off I go again as soon as I finish work its a bottle of wine. I am hoping to find people with positive views to assist me in my recovery and help to keep me there. I have been drinking for a long time and I know its going to take my undivided attention and willingness to try my best to recover. I look forward to hearing from people and thankyou in advance. Lee

loouuiiee Loss of job - loss of purpose ??
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone I have not posted in quite a while. Long-time sufferer of depression and generalized anxiety disorder here ... Recently I poured my all into my work as a way to distract myself and unfortunately, this workplace had a really unprofessional... View more

Hi everyone I have not posted in quite a while. Long-time sufferer of depression and generalized anxiety disorder here ... Recently I poured my all into my work as a way to distract myself and unfortunately, this workplace had a really unprofessional culture and I quickly became the target of some unpleasant workplace bullying. There was no consistent management or person that I could really go to for support most of the period of time that I was there. My coping mechanism was to not take the negativity to heart, to just keep trucking on as I hoped if I didn't respond that it would eventually stop. I thought if I persisted that eventually, things would get better. The bullying continued to get worse and worse ... and after 3 months I was dismissed on the spot during a probation meeting. I didn't break any rules or specifically do anything wrong they said simply that I just am not the right fit for the job/company. I am looking for other work but found that as soon as potential employers find out I was let go by my previous employer they are not interested in talking about the reasons why, or giving me a chance to explain anything. They simply do not want to know me after they discover I was let go. I have found lots of positive things to do to keep me busy whilst I am unemployed such as upskilling ... but just waking up in the morning and having nowhere to be is upsetting - especially with me being such a routine orientated person. (I find routine comforting.) Things just seem so unfair and I am trying to be positive and move on from this negative experience, but employers don't seem to want to give me a chance which is really affecting my self-esteem and making me view myself in such a negative light. Has anyone been through something similar and/or have any advice or tips they would be willing to share??

GAWGA Finding purpose on the path to the future
  • replies: 6

Hi all. I wanted to ask about finding a new path in life. I’d love to hear your stories. I no longer wish to walk my old path, nor my current path of isolation with yawning gaps of time where the clock ticks seconds of my life away. Where the invisib... View more

Hi all. I wanted to ask about finding a new path in life. I’d love to hear your stories. I no longer wish to walk my old path, nor my current path of isolation with yawning gaps of time where the clock ticks seconds of my life away. Where the invisible old ties bind, holding me back from the future. I guess I’m starting from a blank slate again but I’m now in my mid 40s. I know I have to do this with care and patience to look after me but I also know this may well take courage and dedication. I would love to hear your stories. Would you kindly share with me? Are you living a balanced life? A life with moments of joy?What steps have you taken to feel back on solid ground sometimes? I so look forward to putting my feet on that path. It would be lovely to walk alongside one another. Thank you all x

wallabyjack awake and conscious, but feel like 'soul' has left body? anyone?
  • replies: 1

over the last 10 years I have had random, occasional bouts where I suddenly feel like I am still looking through my eyes, I can feel, hear and speak to those around me. But "I" feel like I have gone somewhere else and am trapped there. (And its not n... View more

over the last 10 years I have had random, occasional bouts where I suddenly feel like I am still looking through my eyes, I can feel, hear and speak to those around me. But "I" feel like I have gone somewhere else and am trapped there. (And its not necessarily a nice place). Does this feeling have a name? It feels like I have gone to a place of "isolation and permanence" in that I am there, but my body and physical senses are still where I left them. Usually I can distract myself by reading my phone, walking etc and I come back to myself. this almost feels spiritual, but I am sure its chemical and neurological also. it does seem to coincide with periods of stress. anyone have some thoughts? cheers WJ

Hannerilana Complex trauma
  • replies: 1

Hi i have gone through complex trauma . I am having trouble finding good support for trauma not just PTSD but complex trauma. What hope is there for complex trauma survivors? Especially young people. I have had multiple traumas basic childhood parent... View more

Hi i have gone through complex trauma . I am having trouble finding good support for trauma not just PTSD but complex trauma. What hope is there for complex trauma survivors? Especially young people. I have had multiple traumas basic childhood parental trauma, life trauma and medical traumatic experiences. Does anyone have experience in this? How do you live? I currently live with parents however this is re traumatising and want to find adequate accommodation. It is hard to find tailored case workers who deal with complex issues. I don’t want to go to crisis accommodation at all. Not working is having a harmful effect having a difficult mother, taking medicine I don’t want to take. Please advise