I'm New, Hello!

[Big__Al]

Hello everybody,

My name's Al, I'm really excited to have registered for these forums! I've been lurking for a while, and the everyone seems really kind and supportive. I am looking forward to being part of this community.

I have anxiety and depression, and mainly need a place I can go to for ongoing support and encouragement when I am very stressed, because I have a habit of getting overwhelmed by any stressful thing, then failing to take care of myself properly, which makes everything more stressful in a big spiral of deteriorating mental health.

I've been thinking of maybe starting up a thread in the Staying Well section where everyone can celebrate something good they did for their mental health that day. I think something like that could be really helpful for remembering to prioritise and celebrate our efforts in taking care of ourselves. Does this sound like a good idea? Is there already a thread like this somewhere on these forums that I can join?

Thank you so much and have a good day!

Al

[smallwolf]

Hi Big_Al,

welcome to beyond blue. This is a good space to chat and look for support and encouragement when stressed by things or life in general.

You are right in saying that when you are low we tend to do the natural thing rather than the opposite? For example, I bailed on a lunch meeting and class last year due to feeling really low, and when I mentioned this to my psychologist, the lunch meeting would have made a good distraction.

It is also important to celebrate the small wins each day - I would write in a journal something about each day. A reminder that not every day is BAD even if it may feel that way. As for whether there is a thread I am unsure - there are a couple in the anxiety section. There is also a thread on "three things to be thankful for today". Others might know better than me - but you could create the thread and see what happens.

Tim

[Big__Al]

Hi Tim,

Thank you so much for your kind welcome! And also for sharing your experience with missing an opportunity to look after yourself when you were down. It is nice to know I am not alone in this. I will check out the threads and boards you suggest 🙂

Al

[Aaronsis]

Hi Al

Just wanted to stop in and say welcome and thank you for joining us here in this wonderful community.

Glad you have come out of "

[Aaronsis]

...computers..grr

As I was saying..glad you have come out of "lurking" and have come to join this very supportive group where you can have a chat, get things off your chest, ask questions and give support to others, also the most important thing, feel supported and make connections with people who are also struggling and know what it is like.

Welcome Al and look forward to more chats

Sarah