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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. 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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therising What skills were you taught when it comes to dealing with life's challenges?
  • replies: 13

Hi to all reading this I'm interested to hear if anyone was ever taught a set of life skills, in overcoming challenges (big or small). Whenever I've asked such a question, I'm typically met with a brief pause before the realisation 'I suppose I wasn'... View more

Hi to all reading this I'm interested to hear if anyone was ever taught a set of life skills, in overcoming challenges (big or small). Whenever I've asked such a question, I'm typically met with a brief pause before the realisation 'I suppose I wasn't really taught anything like that'. Most people will say that, as kids, they were told to 'Just get on with things' or given a 'You'll be right' kind of encouragement and that's it, with no real guidance. I've also met a couple of people who have told me that such skills can't be taught (they don't exist). So, what strategies were you taught when it comes to accepting and rolling with the challenges, whether those challenges are welcomed or not? -M-

Wild2free59 Isolation
  • replies: 1

Thoughts and experiences....I despair

Thoughts and experiences....I despair

Millsey Mental Heath Plan.
  • replies: 6

Hi All... We are deciding between a mental health plan and just paying for councillor services. We have a friend who had issues getting into the fire brigade, as he had previously used a mental health plan. I also understand a mental health plan can ... View more

Hi All... We are deciding between a mental health plan and just paying for councillor services. We have a friend who had issues getting into the fire brigade, as he had previously used a mental health plan. I also understand a mental health plan can cause issues getting into Police and some military roles. Does anyone have any experience or information on how a mental health plan can have negative consequences later in life for young people? Thanks Craig.

Mandalaar Menopause, Anxiety...........and no Gallbladder
  • replies: 5

Hi all, this is my first post. I am 50 years old an anxiety sufferer, 4 months post op gastric sleeve and 3 months post op gallbladder removal. I am having many many symptoms of menopause, I see my GP next week. I was wondering if HRT has interfered ... View more

Hi all, this is my first post. I am 50 years old an anxiety sufferer, 4 months post op gastric sleeve and 3 months post op gallbladder removal. I am having many many symptoms of menopause, I see my GP next week. I was wondering if HRT has interfered with anyone's medication and whether you can take HRT without a gallbladder. Thank you in advance

Jt87 Lost the plot
  • replies: 12

So after 8 months of sobriety. Last Tuesday I slipped and had a flask of Vodka at Lunch Time as my work load and some conflict got to me, My employers were told by a colleague and gave me a letter 3 days ago, asking for a meeting to discuss some conc... View more

So after 8 months of sobriety. Last Tuesday I slipped and had a flask of Vodka at Lunch Time as my work load and some conflict got to me, My employers were told by a colleague and gave me a letter 3 days ago, asking for a meeting to discuss some concerns colleagues had, which completely pushed me over the edge... I wound up leaving at lunch on the day of the meeting (3:30pm Friday), getting completely wasted and coming back getting sent home in a taxi by my boss (which he paid for), although I didn't go home I went to a pub near my house, so when my employer didn't get a message saying I'd got home safely him and his wife called me 9 times. I didn't hear my phone, they wound up calling my parents to find out if I was still alive. I went home and my best friend and parents called the cops and I spent the night in hospital under suicide watch and freaking out about losing my job (I have no coping skills for this sort of thing). So on Sunday the employer called me and rescheduled the meeting to next Monday (8 days away, as the hospital gave me a certificate for a week). I feel incredibly stressed, I'm in Australia, and If I lose this job, I might lose everything. It was a stupid decision on the Tuesday days ago, but losing it on the Friday resulted in a mess with everyone concerned about me. I was just going to lay it all on the table next Monday and explain my depression and anxiety, and how I am now on more meds and more frequent counselling, but I don't know what the best plan of attack is. I have a letter from my GP and My Psychologist outlining that i am now receiving additional help in both departments, how I have struggled for years and how they know I am trying to get better. My boss has always been quite understanding and easy to talk to. I mean I imagine that if this had been it they wouldn't have rescheduled the meeting to the following Monday they would have canned me on the spot. I just don't know what the best course of action is at this point. I want to improve, this was a one off and I will never let it happen again. I am seeking help for coping mechanisms and I am on anti anxiety and anti alcohol meds now (even though I am not an alcoholic. I just abuse it when I start drinking due to depression and make bad decisions because of unfounded guilt I have).

Oat_Bran Setting yourself up for success
  • replies: 3

Thought I might start a thread for people to share strategies on how they force themselves to do things they don't like doing! For example, going to the gym, getting out of bed, procrastination, etc. Tell us what you struggle to do, and how you cheat... View more

Thought I might start a thread for people to share strategies on how they force themselves to do things they don't like doing! For example, going to the gym, getting out of bed, procrastination, etc. Tell us what you struggle to do, and how you cheat yourself into doing it! I'll start... Struggle #1: Getting out of bed in the morning - I put the alarm clock in the lounge room so I have no choice but to get out of bed! Struggle #2: Meditating daily - I put my phone into flight mode the night before and I'm not allowed to turn it off in the morning until AFTER I have meditated.

Morgan241191 I’m having trouble sleeping
  • replies: 2

Help! I can’t seem to get to sleep easily. Even when I exercise during the day, drink warm milk in the evening and get off my electronic devices an hour before bed, I end up falling asleep more than an hour after I get into bed. I also wake up freque... View more

Help! I can’t seem to get to sleep easily. Even when I exercise during the day, drink warm milk in the evening and get off my electronic devices an hour before bed, I end up falling asleep more than an hour after I get into bed. I also wake up frequently during the night and have trouble falling asleep afterwards. Does anyone have any tips for me?

Soup_da_Loop DAY ONE
  • replies: 27

Hi Im starting a journey on getting well, It has take me years to finally admit I am depressed, I've been terrified of the stigma and the medications. I have some therapy booked, and have seen a homeopath for health support. I am struggling with Alco... View more

Hi Im starting a journey on getting well, It has take me years to finally admit I am depressed, I've been terrified of the stigma and the medications. I have some therapy booked, and have seen a homeopath for health support. I am struggling with Alcohol, and it is making me ill, my digestive system is out of wack, is there somewhere I can talk to others who are trying to stop drinking? I need to talk about it, and I want to stop all together, I have tried so many times, but keep going back, I know it is making my issues unsurmountable, but I can only stay off it for about 2 weeks then it starts again, please Help, many thanks.....frustrated, alone, sick, not moving forward, like a duck swimming, feet going like mad but not moving anywhere..........thanks again S60

Guest0786549 Alora here - dealing with lifelong depression and addiction
  • replies: 16

Alora here, I'm a newbie wanting to say hi. Been battling depression/anxiety since I was 13, lost a sibling at 17 which destroyed me. The solution I found for my pain at the time was alcohol, and here I am 23 years later battling an addiction that I ... View more

Alora here, I'm a newbie wanting to say hi. Been battling depression/anxiety since I was 13, lost a sibling at 17 which destroyed me. The solution I found for my pain at the time was alcohol, and here I am 23 years later battling an addiction that I know is destroying me, mentally, emotionally and physically. My life isn't where I expected to be: no kids, no job, little friends, and I'm stuck at home with an injury that's currently preventing me from work, outings or exercise. Trying to be positive and fight the cravings feels impossible at the moment. I hope to share my story, the knowledge and tips I've learned, and get advice from others. Most importantly, I could do with a friend.

Vegetarian Marshmallow Fostering feelings of excitement?
  • replies: 4

Hi. I think I am - and have been for most of my life now - rather disconnected from the kind of positive energy that drives people to do things. I remember, as a child, waking up on Christmas morning and being excited to open presents. I remember, as... View more

Hi. I think I am - and have been for most of my life now - rather disconnected from the kind of positive energy that drives people to do things. I remember, as a child, waking up on Christmas morning and being excited to open presents. I remember, as a child, being excited to read through whatever book I was engaged with at the moment. But that kind of thing feels very far away. I already know things that I think are worth doing with my time in the world, and that I want to will myself actually to do. But the excitement is not there to jump out of bed in the morning, or to do thing at any other stage of the day. And so I procrastinate. This feels like something that perhaps meditation (excitement meditation?) can help with. Or writing a gratitude journal (except for excitement). But how to write about things I'm excited about when I .. don't feel that? Do you have to bootstrap yourself into it?; "If the feeling part of me could cotton onto what my brain knows I *should* be excited about, I *would* be excited about.. X.. and Y... and Z"; and then eventually the feelings catch up? What things about yourself have you made concerted efforts to change in this way? How have you attempted this? Has it worked (become internalised - "I'm actually a different person to that person from years ago; I feel different, act differently, see the world differently") or do you just feel like every day for years you've been mechanically "handling" your unchanging underlying default dispositions?