Hello 👋

[Birbee]

Hi everyone. I’m new here and am going through a tough time right now. It’s largely related to a toxic workplace but I’m also holding quite a lot outside of that. Single parenting, life after cancer, separation and general cost of living stuff (like most of us). I used to feel quite lucky but now I feel like it’s all downhill from here.  Hoping reaching out can be one of the ways I can find hope again. 

[indigo22]

Hello,

Welcome, so glad you decided to reach out to us.

You are dealing with a lot so it's not surprising it is weighing you down. I can relate to a few of the things you mentioned, I am also a cancer survivor for one. The cost of living at present is enough to make anyone feel depressed, that's for sure.

The way we feel has a huge bearing on how we see our future but it really has a lot to do with our perception. Looking at your situation from the outside, it seems to me that you have already been through the hardest parts, so maybe it's all uphill from here. That is not to say that uphill is easier, far from it, but it is a different way of looking at it. For example: what if you were to change jobs, working in a less hostile environment, were earning better wages and met someone who treated you with kindness and respect. Would you still feel like it's all downhill from here?

Agreed, you are in the thick of it right now and you are doing it tough. But that does not need to be what the future holds, that can be of your own making. Are you getting any support from family, friends or counselling at present? That can be so important when we are struggling to cope.

Please feel free to continue this conversation, you don't need to do this alone.

Thinking of you,

indigo

[-LE-]

Hello to you, congratulations on all you have achieved.  Im new too and by taking this step I think you, like me, will discover new strengths and acceptance for yourself. I once was told “it’s not what people say, but how you choose to take them that hurts”.  It rings true but starts to wear thin over time.  Try for once to be selfish, really selfish.  If you are broke, go sit in a dog park and soak up all the puppy love.  Sit by the ocean and try spotting dolphins.  Take a pillow (and bug spray) and sleep under a tree.  Try random things and if it’s not great, don’t do it again, but study what you didn’t like for future reference. Talk about it with your child.  Shop at secondhand stores and if you can go to farmers markets. Travel overseas through picture books and join your local library.  We were pretty poor growing up but I was always told if you have a book you can go anywhere. Good luck, as a parent you are one of the most important people in our community.