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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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Kyra1609 Gratitude
  • replies: 2

Three things you are grateful for today? (say them out loud as well, it feels so much better) Did you know you can retrain your brain by saying three things you are grateful for everyday for 21 days ! I'll start: 1: I am grateful to have easy access ... View more

Three things you are grateful for today? (say them out loud as well, it feels so much better) Did you know you can retrain your brain by saying three things you are grateful for everyday for 21 days ! I'll start: 1: I am grateful to have easy access to fresh drinking water 2. I am grateful to be able to feel the air going into my lungs and breath out (thanks trees) 3. I am grateful to be living on this beautiful planet, to be able to connect with people on the internet even when I feel so isolated. THANK YOU !

Kyra1609 What do you do to love yourself?
  • replies: 1

Hey guys! I am curious as to what you do for yourself, to give love back to yourself and heal? I'm continuously trying variations such as meditation, yoga and sound healing ! (they are all very healing) Manifesting out loud, giving thanks to myself a... View more

Hey guys! I am curious as to what you do for yourself, to give love back to yourself and heal? I'm continuously trying variations such as meditation, yoga and sound healing ! (they are all very healing) Manifesting out loud, giving thanks to myself and to be alive. Recently I went to church for the first time as well, I've never been to church in my life nor come from a faithful background; there's a lack of connection within society which makes us feel isolated. I'm always wanting to hear/understand peoples journeys what's yours? What have you found helps you? Much Love Kyra

Jessicaloveslife22 What's the worst that can happen? EVERY step of trying counts even for a second of freedom!
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, people have said this to me alot. I think it's actually pivotal to remember so that we don't fall victim to things that really aren't that bad. Like something in my life that I get anxious over I notice immediately if I tell myself 'what... View more

Hi everyone, people have said this to me alot. I think it's actually pivotal to remember so that we don't fall victim to things that really aren't that bad. Like something in my life that I get anxious over I notice immediately if I tell myself 'what is the worst that can happen' at least this helps me to some extent. My anxiety lessens. A lady on a call helpline actually said this to me once and she said it so powerfully that I have never forgotten it. Some days I find it really hard and I step outside and I want to go for a walk just a simple walk and then I feel this horrible feeling inside me that wants to hide. I continue to say to myself 'what is the worst that can happen'?. It lightens everything even if it's not enough to take away those feelings and then I push through it all and do it anyhow. This has been one of my latest things actually that no matter WHAT MY FEELINGS ARE I DO IT. This in itself has been hard to find for me. Amidst the most debilitating feelings of anxiety and depression and other things to actually just do it anyhow and feel them even worse as I go along has been an incredible breakthrough....after all what is the worst that can happen? I go through MORE HORRIBLE FEELINGS? YEP:). The other day I went to go for a walk and every single step my emotions and feelings were saying 'no go back SOMETHING is going to happen or YOU'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH' or some sort of debilitating thought and feeling was happening to me. So I went step by step I didn't want to see anyone....by the time I reached about 1 kilometre I noticed I'd made it. Nothing bad had happened. I still felt crap and I wanted to go back but I kept walking through the horrible feelings step by step. Eventually I noticed that when I'd reached about 2 kilometres my mood had lifted. By the time I got back I felt great. The feelings started up again but I DID IT! I was in a pretty bad way that day. EVERY STEP MATTERS AFTER ALL WHAT IS THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN? I hope this helps someone. If you are down step outside your yard and take a step then take another...keep going fight through those feelings it is so worth it. It may only save you from them for the time you are walking or maybe only a little of the walk but what is the worst that can happen and it's so worth it to push yourself BECAUSE YOU ARE WORTH IT. Every second of your day you are worth it. Jessica.

ScarlettR Do you like talking about the weather?
  • replies: 6

I happen to like talking about the weather, both the forecast and the science behind it. Within my family, it's common to talk about the weather. However, with my friends, if I bring it up, they go quiet and change subject. I'm sure the weather may n... View more

I happen to like talking about the weather, both the forecast and the science behind it. Within my family, it's common to talk about the weather. However, with my friends, if I bring it up, they go quiet and change subject. I'm sure the weather may not be very interesting to everyone, but I always like going into the Bureau of Meteorology website to find the weather for today. Then I can plan my tasks and errands around it. It's a great mental exercise and makes me feel less depressed and looking more forward to a good day.

Soberlicious96 First World Problems
  • replies: 1

Hi all. Just checking in and sharing a trick that I sometimes find helpful; If I'm starting to feel stressed out about things that don't really seem to make sense as to why I am stressing, I ask myself two questions 1) Is it still gonna affect me in ... View more

Hi all. Just checking in and sharing a trick that I sometimes find helpful; If I'm starting to feel stressed out about things that don't really seem to make sense as to why I am stressing, I ask myself two questions 1) Is it still gonna affect me in a month or a year's time? 2) Is it perhaps a first-world problem, for which I have forgotten to be grateful about? I don't do it trivialize or dismiss what's going on, but it helps me to keep perspective and to know what issues need more attention.

pat06 Fun activities
  • replies: 3

hi everyone me and the wife have just recently split up (7 weeks) but what I would like to know is what activities do guys 35-40 do by themselves?

hi everyone me and the wife have just recently split up (7 weeks) but what I would like to know is what activities do guys 35-40 do by themselves?

Joe_L Car anxiety
  • replies: 2

I have been considering selling my car since i have an anxiety about driving. However i do have type 2 bipolar and anxiety/depression and am coming out of a bad patch. Should i wait to see how i do or am i fine to go ahead with it. I am happy to ride... View more

I have been considering selling my car since i have an anxiety about driving. However i do have type 2 bipolar and anxiety/depression and am coming out of a bad patch. Should i wait to see how i do or am i fine to go ahead with it. I am happy to ride my bike and use public transport even though I'm in a slightly small rural town. Also to add a fair amount of my anxiety is from global warming so this is a big part of it.

white knight Weightloss - the "commonsense diet"
  • replies: 13

I'm talking now after last year losing 16kg. All my life I've struggled to lose weight. I was the heaviest I'd ever been at 143kg. My sister had embarked on a gastric sleeve January 2018 and I was determined to lose some weight the cheaper method. No... View more

I'm talking now after last year losing 16kg. All my life I've struggled to lose weight. I was the heaviest I'd ever been at 143kg. My sister had embarked on a gastric sleeve January 2018 and I was determined to lose some weight the cheaper method. Now its March 2019, my sister has lost a whopping 53kg and is looking amazing. Well done to her. Not all of us however can afford that expense nor is compatible for such an operation. So, I thought long about what kind of diet I would implement. There is such a selection...which one is the best. But I'd asked that so many times and chosen one only to be disappointed. It was time for the commonsense diet. Have you read on a few threads when I use analogy of the "seesaw"? EG depression on one side, hypomania on the other- that's the bipolar seesaw and it rocks always, only when it is stationary and horizontal for a short time does "normality" present itself to our lives. Well, the same analogy I'll use for weight gain/loss. One side of the swing is hunger/boredom/genetics of a large body frame and taste....the other side is fitness, weight loss, attractiveness, feel good mentally, etc When the seesaw is horizontal, that is the best position for weight loss and dieting. This period is when we are motivated, not bored so we are occupied by distraction, the weather is good for exercise, we have ended a period of eating lots of junk food so we are burned out with that, but we cannot make the swing tilt for a long time towards fitness and attractiveness- why? Because we don't have the endurance! Endurance is like willpower and positivity but there are subtle changes between them. Endurance is long term commitment- over weight people lack that. We swing like mars bars hanging on ropes in the wind. There is not point punishing ourselves by wishing we were model figures. That is another seesaw in another playground- get over it- it aint gunna happen! So my plan was simple. End eating of the following products- pasta, potatoes and bread are the main ones. Frankfurts, items with more than 8%fat content, excess sugar, bread, juices with sugar, fizzy drinks, most flour and chocolate. Eat in moderation - wraps, popcorn lightly salted (a treat), sugar free biscuits, rice noodles (replacing pasta), fresh fruit and vegies (not much corn), gluten free cereals, bran, Eat in large quantities- water, light crispbread, light milk, eggs, salads items, white meat. Exercise- brisk walking for 15 minutes minimum. Good luck TonyWK

16sundayz Day Hospital or or Day Group
  • replies: 1

The past 6 months I've been struggling with feelings and thoughts and emotions and especially in the last month things have gotten a lot worse. Could I please have some advice and recommendations for a therapeutic community in the Western Suburbs of ... View more

The past 6 months I've been struggling with feelings and thoughts and emotions and especially in the last month things have gotten a lot worse. Could I please have some advice and recommendations for a therapeutic community in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne that's in the public system covered by medicare or is low cost as I'm unemployed. I could maybe stay overnight for respite or just go to a day hospital program for a month or a few that has activties, group and individual counselling and chill time and I'd be free to go back to my own home.

Julie3392 Decluttering - KonMari style
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone, So I think many of you have heard of Marie Kondo and her methods of decluttering, be it through Netflix, her books or just through social media articles. I have read her book, and I love how it states that decluttering isn't just simply... View more

Hey everyone, So I think many of you have heard of Marie Kondo and her methods of decluttering, be it through Netflix, her books or just through social media articles. I have read her book, and I love how it states that decluttering isn't just simply making the house neater and more presentable, but also helps bring about positive changes in our lifestyle and our mood by getting rid of what doesn't 'spark joy'. I'd just like to hear your opinions and experiences regarding her method if you have tried it, and if you encountered any difficulties or noticed significant changes in how you feel. I do disagree with some of her advice (I still prefer hanging most of my clothes haha) but those are miscellaneous. Thanks and have a great weekend!