Oceangirl

[oceangirl]

I have been struggling the last week, more anxiety, fatigue and depression. How do you manage these feelings/ symptoms? What triggers, your feelings/symptoms? I know I have experienced depression for quite a while now, but it never gets easy to manage though. 

I feel as though I am not good enough and I have quite low self-esteem/worth. But I do know my self-esteem and self-worth is growing. I hope we can support each other to more inner peace and start connecting to our authentic self. 

[Dimity]

Hello @oceangirl 

Sending a warm hug if it helps.

Anxiety fatigue and depression - yep know those well - but don't know how to manage them without supports. Which probably doesn't say much for my self-efficacy. 

That feeling of not being good enough - good enough for whom? For me it's strongly associated with not feeling good enough at sustaining a healthy relationship with particular people.  It goes back a long way. 

Leaning into some sort of deep authenticity and integrity feels right to me and maybe self-esteem and self-worth can grow from that? I'm pretty isolated so don't get much support or validation.

But here on the forums maybe we're all good enough. It's a leap of faith.

@Till23 might have some ideas.

[oceangirl]

Hi @Dimity 

Warm hugs are good

I feel somewhat isolated too. I have two dogs, which are my companions. Some managing tools to add to strategies or ways to reduce symptoms and bring more inner peace/comfort.  

• Going back to basics
• Clean a small area in the house
• Clean the inside of the car
• Buy healthy food
• Cook a healthy meal/s
• Drink water 
• Do a task you have been putting off
• Routine
• Exercise
• Sleep
• Follow a list to complete (not overwhelming amount)
• Skin care routine
• Self care activties

Underpinned by acceptance of self and living your life align with your values. Another good tip is to normalize your feeling thus reducing your anxiety and fear. We are enough. A leap of faith brings... stronger self, self-growth...... Or continuing to swim and to let go of the wall...We got this.

[Imkai]

It's hard to say as we all have different ways of dealing with stuff. I know I've had a really bad case of what you're going through, and can't really tell you how I've managed. I know that I've made some really amazing friends that has helped me a lot, that they don't even know about, just by involving me in random stuff.  

I really wish I know what to say but I don't sorry. I hope you keep us updated so maybe we/ I can think of ways to help you out as everyone here truely would like to see you happy 😁.

[Shaz51]

hello my @oceangirl 😍

sitting with you @Imkai , @oceangirl , @Dimity 

[Jellybeans25]

Hello,

I read your post and wanted to say you’re not alone, I resonate with those feelings. What triggers it for me are stressful times and realising I have nobody in my inner world to talk to about it, I live alone and recently went through a very bad breakup. No family and only one friend who lives out of town, so I know very well the feeling of isolation, depression and anxiety. 

What has helped me is listening to podcasts on Spotify, or YouTube. Dr Joe Dispenza is great! 

The feeling of not being enough, and having low self worth ultimately stems from internal dialogue and comparing ourselves to others lives. Remember everybody is going through their own struggles too, and things may seem all dandy on the exterior but nobody knows what is really going on. 

Try looking up YouTube videos on self love, Louise L Hay is also amazing. There are many great teachers out there, it’s about finding one that resonates with you on a personal level that speaks to your soul. 

I understand it’s hard when we can’t see the forest through the trees. This is temporary and things will get better, try writing down things in your life you are grateful for. Running water, being able to shower, food to eat.. even those basics things are huge, and we can always find something to be grateful for.

[rav3n]

hey @Jellybeans25 those podcast and youtube suggestions sound interesting! i'm keen to check them out as well. also welcome to the forums!!

@oceangirl can definitely relate to the struggle with building up my self-worth too. i think that hardest part (but also really effective) thing has been being kind to myself even when i'm struggling. you know that quote about, treat yourself how you'd treat a friend... well sometimes i pretend i am 'a friend' and try to speak to myself more gently. 

also love the practicing gratitude idea @Jellybeans25 its something i found really damn hard, but with practice, has really helped me get through the day.

[oceangirl]

@Imkai 

Thank you for your response. I'm glad you had some good people who included you in their lives. And able to feel comfortable and through the interaction able to improve your well-being. I hope you are able to do more of the random stuff. We all respond differently to things and can use a combination of strategies to help manage our mental health and well-being. But there are some common things that help us all- managing stress and self-care (sleep and lifestyle changes). 

Tomorrow I am seeing my GP and taking steps to improve my mental health. But also having lunch with family.

[Jellybeans25]

@rav3n - thank you :).

Oh it’s definitely hard at times to be in the state of gratitude when in the darkness of other emotions. I know it may seem cliche, journaling and forcing yourself to write something even just one thing (that’s a start) about something you’re grateful for. It creates a shift in focus, to try think towards the positive verse everything that is going wrong right now.

I understand it’s hard though.

[Till23]

Hi @oceangirl Sorry I haven't responded until now.

Thanks for tag @Dimity 

I am trying to rationalise my time on forums. I just got back from OS and am dealing with jetlag, lots of washing (currently raining where I am!), and now wind related things around the house as gale force here currently etc

I have cPTSD, anxiety and depression. I find the fatigue is worse when I'm in a depressive phase. In an anxious phase, I probably feel tired, but I don't pay attention to it.

Not feeling good enough - I have a whole thread on that.

I have lost both of my dogs in last two years, I've had both for over 15years, my boy I only lost 6 weeks ago. This is my first full week in Australia without him.

• I think going back to basics is good
• I find doing a bit of "work" is good - cleaning, yard work, chopping firewood, just things to feel some sense of achievement.
• I have lists and it feels good to tick something off
• I try to eat well, I do my own cooking usually from scratch, because it's cheaper and I know what's in it - I almost never have take away and rarely go out to dinner, I will have a coffee or lunch about once a week though, usually with people from sport team. I pretty much only drink tea and water and occasional coffee, I have very little alcohol, soft drinks etc - mostly if I'm out
• I do a couple of sports - one is more serious and table tennis for fun
• I volunteer (now that I am retired, this gives me a bit of a sense of purpose)
• A hobby is good
• I try to be grateful (currently I'm super grateful to have gone overseas with my sport and team from around Australia followed by a holiday) it is sometimes difficult when you are feeling down but I go into my garden and I find something -like even having a garden to go into
• Social connection is good - I've found the Sane forums invaluable for that at times
• I try to have a sleep routine - I am not a good sleeper, but I have my set of "rules"
• Brene Brown has some interesting things to say - many people find something in what she has to say.

Not feeling good enough is something I am really trying to work on as it definitely underlies both of my anxiety and depression

I hope something in the above rambling (sorry I am tired) is helpful