Following your gut to find happiness

[sadgirl57]

So this is more a question in terms of staying well rather than tips because I personally find my depression is due to trying to find not an easy path but a path that gets me to at least coping and surviving than following my gut. taking risks and doing things that'll make me genuinely happy and finding my purpose so my question is has anyone used spirituality to get in touch with their intuition, meditation etc to find what they really wanted and go for things that may have not feel like they made sense at the time that turned out to be great?

Sorry if this thread isn't fit for here but I just... there's a lifestyle I want to live and things I want to do but I feel so stuck in my current rat-race lifestyle and part of me feels like I should try fit in with the norm and it be against everything I'm about and make the most of it or completely go against the grain and do the best that I can, maybe not be rich but be happy. I don't know. I don't know. I need to find some guidance within myself and want to know if meditation not just helped with the calm but real, life-changing experience.
I hope someone can help, no pressure though.

[Jacko777]

Hi Cassie & Dizzy,

Fantastic words Dizzy, I need to read it a few more times.

Cassie, my thoughts are that a brash decision would come from the mind, intuition would come from the heart, as a gut feeling as you describe. I believe that where I am is where I am meant to be, to learn a lesson, to take a challenge as an opportunity to grow. So perhaps you can overhaul your lifestyle and perhaps you don't need to strongly connect to the people currently in your life, that doesn't mean you give them less love, just that you find others that you connect with on different levels. These are just my thoughts of course, doesn't mean I'm right!

Having said all that, you have these feelings and you have had signs that you are on 'the wrong path'. So I'm not sure what this means for you. Are you thinking it is a brash decision to go on a spiritual journey?

Jack x

[sadgirl57]

Lately my gut instinct has been working a little better, not with bigger decisions though - that could be the anxiety messing with it. I've had some big things happen recently; my boyfriend left me, I've had to leave the house and stay at friends house so I'm really not in my comfort zone, having somewhere to retreat to and be alone, my health feels like its deteriorating a bit because I'm not at my own home, trying to save for a bond so I can move in somewhere, I've been having 5 hour broken sleeps and my work performance has gone downhill and my counselling appointment is still two weeks away. I kept pretty strong and optimistic for a while there and not depressed at all but now that I'm exhausted, feeling like a burden and confused about my next step and feeling overwhelmed by it all it got me pretty down. Yesterday I was so anxious that I couldn't stop it even trying to talk my self out of it and deep breaths and all that, I had been anxious pretty badly on and off since then and then the depression just got me. I can't even escape from my situation. I feel really alone. I think I'll call my Mum when I get home and see what she says. I better stop because I'm on the train and I don't want to start crying. 

Cas

[Jacko777]

Stay strong Cas, have hope because you will find the solutions you seek over the coming weeks, know that you will work this out. Has anything helped you with these anxious moments in the past? Persist with the breathing exercises, nice and slow, not too deep. What other things can you divert your attention to? Listen to music? Meditate?

Don't hesitate to ring the BB phone service if you are struggling, that's what they are there for and they will help you to feel better straight away I am sure. I hope you will use this service if anxiety is getting the better of you.

I'm sorry to hear that your boyfriend left you Cassie, I know how challenging it can be when you are out of your comfort zone. You could look at it as an opportunity, to practice a new way of responding to being out of your comfort zone, take a fresh positive view on your situation, it is a challenge for you to find and practice calmness, no matter what happens. Perhaps it won't feel easy to start but the more you practice the more it will become natural. Remember, you are on a journey of recovery, give your self thanks and take satisfaction from knowing that you are taking steps in the right direction, even if you don't feel great now, remember that you are heading away from this, things will improve, soon you will find more happiness and calmness. Hang in there Cassie, big hugs and much love from the cosmos to you. xx

Jack

[sadgirl57]

Hi Jack,

Thanks for the support. Music definitely is a winner for soothing the anxiety, I need to get some headphones. I finally broke the other day after trying to stay really strong and keep positive even when it was draining all my energy putting the effort in. I went to the doctor and got medication and stuff to help me sleep so I felt nauseous and stuff today but my brain kind of feels like it's working better I guess. It'll be a wait though to see a real difference, I know. I'm trying to figure out my next move though - I don't want to completely lose my job but I want to cut back enough hours so I could get on Centrelink again and go to an employment service that specialises with disability. I'm trying to think of a few options that'll allow me to cut back but not leave me with no money. I feel like I'm supposed to be more patient and this is like a lesson for me but at the same time I'm worried about missing an opportunity.

[Just Sara]

Hi Sadgirl...You seem to be in the thick of it! Hang in there. Medication has it's place. Being sleep deprived causes more problems than it's worth and doesn't do anything to help you heal or cope.

I know this might sound odd, but learning about brain chemistry has it's perks. Try having your evening meal around 6pm. Only have protein; (meat) no carbs or fat. Around 9 or 10pm, eat a whole oven roasted potato - skin on. No fat or oil; just dry. Then go to bed about 1/2 hr later. Protein prepares the digestive process for the slow working carb content of the potato. It sends a signal to the brain from the pancreas which releases great relaxation chemicals into the receptors. But don't bulk up on simple carbs or fatty foods during the day as this will inhibit slow absorption and sleeping throughout the night. Obviously you can't eat like this every night unless you have a balanced diet during the day. Lots of fresh produce; limit sugars, (including flour) caffeine and animal fats.

The connection between the brain and the gut is fascinating. There has even been studies that link bacteria in the lining of the gut and autism. Our diets are a key indicator when assessing our ability to cope with stress and its responses. Look at the foods/beverages in your diet, especially stimulants.

Sleep is so important to those of us experiencing mood and personality disorders. We don't expect our bodies to run a marathon for days at a time, why should we expect to function with a brain that never sleeps?

Hope this helps...Dizzy x

[sadgirl57]

Hi Dizzy,

 i actually have read up on that, it is fascinating. I'm actually vegetarian turned vegan just recently. I need to sort my diet out ASAP so I don't lose too much energy, that's probably what's happening. I've just moved house so we don't have a fridge yet so having my usual diet has been hard. I was already vegan at home anyway but cooking has become a lot harder. I've been so exhausted lately. I think it could be the medication, definitely my poor diet from eating out, but a lotto do with my frame of mind - my anxiety has gone up a lot. I have a history of up and leaving jobs after 6/8 months because I find the work/life balance impossible because all I do is stress about money then when I  do go out with my friends I don't appreciate it and all I can think is 'was that really worth the money I just spent?' Then on top of figuring out what to do with the rest of my life I'm just left with no energy or sanity. As soon as I got home yesterday, after my shower I just went to sleep, I woke up when my Mum got home and felt guilty about not going out to say hello but I was just so tired. I'm only doing 5 hour days and just had to cut back from 5 to 4 because of stress but now I have more time I'm actually more stressed because I have less money. It takes me about an hour and a half each way to get to and from work, sometimes 2, that isn't helping. If I want things to get better though I'm going to have to figure out a solution. 

Hope you guys are good, love Cas.