It may be too early to get into Step 4 at this point. It depressed me big-time, too, even when I did it (the nth time) after 20 years of recovery. Sometimes it's just our minds want to dwell on the negatives, and that is a time to definitely set aside that 4th Step.
I urge you to be more gentle and compassionate with yourself, and when you feel differently, you can take another run at it. That's just my vote.

Make a list of things you are gratefull for. I found a gratitude list a big help when I first got sober. I have a "few days" as they say but I still wake up and think of three things I am grateful for and do that again when i go to bed.
Remember too that when you do a step four you are not supposed to just list where you fall short of the mark, you need to write down where you are strong, what works for you. I found I had a lot of "transferable skills" when I took a good look at my assets as well as my defects.
Hugs, it gets different :)

hows that knee Tara What about doing some fun stuff If your not fit enough to play maybe coaching kids would be fun. You know Out of self having fun sometimes we can be to focused on the programme but thats just my opinion of course my exp take care

Step 4's a prick, but it was also a turning point for me. Don't fight yourself Anna. Let it go and go with the flow. Rivals got some good advice re activities and sharing your love and gift for soccer with the community.

Have you tried some guided meditation tapes. I did some during the day and at night I'd write about what was going on in my head then read it back. Helped to get it out.

(((hugs you)))

Good God Girl, don't go where I have gone! Ask me how this kind of thinking took me from not Wanting to drink to feeling like I Have to drink again. There's light out there! Seek it with all you've got in you!

Love you so much....Hate to hear this...but keep spewing it out til you get it All out of you! then turn the page...

you rock...do not be depressed you are too good to be depressed...damn sobriety is good!!!

I am sorry you are having a difficult time. I so wish I could give you a big hug and make it better.

Depression is difficult -- it is hard to accept that it doesn't just go away, that talking things through doesn't always work, and that it can be a medical problem that needs to be treated.

I wish I could say something that would help.

I second what jersey said. I was helped with an antidepressent.

There are alot of things in my life that make mefeel extremely depressed if I dwell on them Doing things and getting out in the world, going to meetings have helped me.

God Bless

((((((((You))))))))

I like what sue said-be more gentle and compassionate with yourself. You have no problem doling it out on others-but when it comes taking care yourself, that little girl inside, you are a bitch!

Slow down, ok? You need to be gentle with YOU and don't force crap.

So sorry. I have found that the sure fire "silver bullet" to get me out of myself is to help someone else. Even if that's only to listen.
There are plenty of members in my home group who need a hand, and I've lent one even when it felt like I had f-ck all to give.
I've also found exercise, of any kind, helps alott.
Sobriety isnt easy. We spend a long time drinking feelings away. Then we have to walk through them, often for the first time as adults. Not for sissys.

I have only 4-5 days clean.... Idk what step 4 is... but I wish for you to have the strength to overcome.. We all have this ablility, sometimes one just has to dig deep to find it..

Imagine yourself breaking the walls down around you... Fight to find clarity! Never give up!

I right now am taking a break from cleaning the shit out of my house.. Why? because its a distraction from my desire to drink.. I hate cleaning, nor am i a very organized person, but i'm doing it and its working...

I am here if you want to talk, P.M. me..

bestwishes.

I would agree with what stickywick said - getting out and helping others is something that has always helped me.

I suffer from depression and have had periods in recovery where it has been really bad. I have been unable to get out of bed and seriously considering suicide. Many times my sponsor has come around and told me we are going off to talk to a struggling alcohol, take a newcomer to a meeting etc and that I need to get dressed and come. It has felt like the hardest thing to do and not something I wanted to do, have felt like I had nothing positive to offer etc. But every single time I have come away from doing it feeling better and more positive and more grateful.

I have had a difficult day today. My mental health is not at its best. I didnt feel like getting dressed and certainly not like going out. I went with my sponsor to see an alcoholic who called the helpline. She was in a terrible state and so grateful for our visit. I feel very different now.

The other thing I have to do is keep things very simple. Identify the things that I absolutely must do and get them done and not worry about the rest. Somedays if all we can do is get to a meeting then we have done our best.

Often times things do get worse before they get better. Bringing things to the forefront of our minds in therapy and step 4 can often be very painful but it is worth it because it isnt pointless pain. We are experiencing it so that we can deal with things and let go of them rather than being tied to them forever.

I remember being depressed and telling my sponsor "I am not happy and feeling depressed and suicidal and that I must be doing something wrong in my program!!" and she said "Have you drank today?" and I said "No" and she said "well your doing something right!!"

I have never seen times of sadness, anxiety or depression as threats to my sobriety. Instead, these have been red or yellow flags that have kept me on my toes. The real threat has been complacency in those times when I've had the tiger by the tail and the world was my oyster.

Ah, my friends, a wee nip at sunset to cap off a perfect day can't hurt anyone, can it? I mean I'm right, am I not?

(Can you say cunning, baffling & powerful?)