it's not really a bad habit, it is just something some of us can't help doing, I am on antidepressants to help me keep from dwelling on stuff, smooths out the emotional roller coaster ride a bit. Maybe focus on ;drinking coke with freshly squeezed lemons and ice, that's actually a really nice thing, enjoy it, enjoy a good movie with it, might take you out of the re-hashing a bit. It helps me, I watch a lot of movies, but I also do the work to deal with why I might be stuck on some emotional stuff. Are you seeing a therapist?

Be gentle to yourself today - I have also set goals for myself today that I am hoping to achieve. I'm sending strength your way to have a good day x

Hello ThatOne. It's actions that truly count, not just thoughts. Positive thoughts earn you positive results ("Thoughts Become Things"), so if you are determined to shed bad memories, then find positive ideas to fill the gaps. Sorry girl, but lolling around with iced coke in front of the TV won't get you what you want, Just think of all the wasted time that should have been spent reaching for your dream. Ask me, I should know....I've been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

So how about putting some thought into baking a pie for supper, or cleaning out the kitchen cabinets, or arranging a vase of flowers, or drawing a picture of your favourite things and plan where to hang it when it's framed? Such like little things are your baby steps to a brand new happier you.

You can choose to call these things "chores" if you wish, or call them "accomplishments" depending on how serious you are about wanting to find inner happiness and love. You have to love yourself first before you can love others and be loved in return and, as sad as it may sound, happiness and love don't fall out of the sky into your lap. They are not handed out in lucky packets - they have to be earned. The way forward isn't always smooth and flowery, but if you try... really try hard ... to do what you know is best for you then you WILL succeed. And it's all for FREE ... it's up to you accept the challenge or reject it.


High fives, girl, and get cracking then. Good luck and please let's know how you are getting along.

@leonie I work a lot and I am striving for several dreams. This post was more about being able to find that happiness in the moments where I have time to just rest. Also it's the first day of my period and if I move to much it's gonna get painful.

Another thing is that actually not everything is achieved by trying very hard. Anxiety for example goes away when you stop trying so hard because you realize your own worth independent of your achievements. There's really more problems in the world than just laziness.

Thank you all for the nice thoughts and encouragement either way

wow, my periods are like that too. though the moodiness usually comes before or after, not during, so I do loll around during the period itself. Although I don't have them anymore cause I got an IUD. best thing I could have done for my health. do you like to read? when I run out books I haven't read, sometimes I read them again if they are really good, or I pull out an encyclopedia or dictionary. Yeah, I'm a real blast at parties. (kidding) a little alcohol helped me along too.

I'm planning to get an IUD too. Heard good things about it. (I was hormonal yesterday but only in the sense that I was tired and sensitive to noise) I'm pretty fine with watching tv. If I was at my apartment I would work on writing a book but since that's an hour away via public transportation... I'll pick up some stuff from my apartment some time this week though so I can be productive in my free time...

It's not like I'm lolling my life away. Tomorrow I'm going to work again. Next day off is monday. After work I'm usually really out of energy so I'm not planning to do a lot of other things. I'm a nursing student in a foreign country so I got stress from confrontation with death, amputations, disablements etc. plus I still struggle with the language and it takes focus to understand everything plus I learn new procedures every day and do them for the very first time. It's rewarding and I'm kinda proud I got myself here but also I'm hoping that over time it will be less exhausting when everything becomes a routine.

I was at a ward before where basically everyone was mentally gone. It's the first time I'm dealing with people that have mainly physical disabilities and it's a whole different story because they realize their own situation. It's still new but if it doesn't become routine I can probably work in a different ward.

I'm still finding that right amount of distance.

Hello again ThatOne. Please don't get me wrong, I'm all for kicking off your shoes and chilling after a day's work. It's what I call "me-time", reward time and pat-on-the-back time for a job well done, satisfied that I had done my best.

But not all days are good ones, especially if you are left alone while everyone else is at work. I had those miz days too and, for me, I found comfort in writing happy thoughts into simple rhymes or stories. Sounds silly, I know, but they always made me smile and lifted my mood. I kept my bits of poetry in a shoebox decorated with sunflower stickers. This was My Place, My Flower Box, My Zone and when I was feeling down or ickie, I often shuffled through my sunflowers to find a feel-good poem I had written.

But what works for one person doesn't always work for another and if I have offended you in any way or misunderstood your post, then I apologise. No harm was intended. Again, I send you high fives and best wishes.

Funny, I used to write short stories and poetry too. I actually have a book at home with poetry and song lyrics. The short stories are in a document in my computer at home. Definitely gonna work on that when I'm feeling more mentally whole.
Yeah I guess you triggered me but I knew you probably didn't intent anything bad. Hugs

Let me explain .....When I was diagnosed with terminal emphysema (end stage 4) and put onto oxygen therapy 24/7, my life as I knew it was suddenly taken from me in an instant, like a demolition ball had crushed my head. My world as I know it today is as long as my oxygen hose can stretch - 25 metres - and I've lived chained like a dog to a post in the back yard for almost 8 years now. When my husband died 7 months ago followed by my little dog that drowned in our pool, I was plunged into a deepest darkest state of depression imaginable, devoid of hope and reason to carry on living. As one day melted into another and lonliness ate away at my remaining days, I prayed each night to let the run rise without me. My 2 sons live overseas and my daughter had settled into her new marriage far up country, so I was utterly and bitterly alone and afraid.

So when I said I'm no stranger to depression, anxiety and despair I meant every word - I've been there, done that and got the T-shirt to prove it. But the longer I sat brooding through those miserable days after Den's death, the more the ghosts of my past invaded my space until I could barely get out of bed. That's when I fought back and said "Enough is enough!" I have weeds to pull, a pullover to knit for my grandchild, a larder to stock with wholesome food and and a visit to the beauty parlour. I had lost 10kg and looked 20 yrs older than my 70.

I has grown a pair of big brass balls - Den must have been back-seat driving as he usually did and I woke one morning with the wonderful idea to release my daughter's inheritance (my house) from his estate. People said I was out of my tree, but at the time Rosie and her family were in dire need of a place to call home and a fresh start, and I needed to toss the burden of this house off my shoulders to free up some of my life to enjoy in relative happiness and peace. Pure Karma.

When I read of people who have everything to live for, are young, energetic, intelligent and worthy, I am driven to urge them to find happiness in their lives before their opportunities slip away.

We have just one life and we've got to make the best of what we've got. I didn't ask for this dreaded disease - just drew the short straw - but I can't go back to change things. Once my train left the station it's express all the way to the rainbow. How long now, who knows?

If you value your life and want to get the most out of it, please fill your lonely days with happy thoughts and who knows, perhaps one day I'll hear your lyrics on my little radio. Wishing you strength and courage to reach your dreams.

Many warm ((((hugs))))) with sprinkles on top.

When you're by yourself and you feel the blues coming on why not read a good book, watch a movie, or call a friend. A friend of Depression is idleness. God bless.