Brilliant brilliant stuff, KD.
A thread/post i will use as a stickie in my head. I have had my own struggles with mental health and i admire your honesty and bravery speaking like that.
Genuinely mean that.
I think everyone does Ponti, just at different levels. It is impossible to go through life without suffering some form of mental or emotional distress.
M. Scott Peck opens his book
the road less traveled with the line "life is difficult". It is.
During the last two years a close family member has died and a long term relationship has broken up. None of the stuff I've posted here has made this easy to deal with. But it has helped me to cope with the sadness that accompanies these things.
This is spot on - I have noticed it with so many people, they are angry all of the time.. everything is the govt out to do people, no-one ever does anything right, its all a disgrace etc etc. Peoples minds are eaten by the angst that encompasses them when none of it will change today or tomorrow and its certainly not worth burrowing yourself into a hole for.
I get my CA from what I read online, the odd time I throw on VB - thats it - nothing else
That was me, wallowing in all the negativity.
AA have a great prayer/slogan "give me the strength to change the things I can, the courage to accept the things I cannot and the wisdom to know the difference"
Like you said Honky, none of this stuff is going to change overnight and constantly worrying or getting angry over it only harms yourself. I'm not saying you can't be interested or concerned, but you have to learn to accept that some things are just going to take time.
Voluntary work is another great way to help yourself. Helping others really is its own reward. It can be as simple as calling on an elderly neighbour for a chat or getting involved coaching kids in sport, whatever is your thing.
Charities are also crying out for volunteers. If you have a couple of hours a week, its a great thing to do. Another upside to it is you will meet like minded kind hearted people and that is also good for your psyche.
You will also be making a contribution to others and making a real difference. Change is very rarely the huge effort of one person. It is usually small efforts by lots and lots of people.
Great post KD.
Quit irish radio news at home and in the car 6 years ago. Listen to Spotify or BBC 6 music at home or BBC R2 at work.
You could have listened to angry doom and gloom on Irish media from dawn to dusk and just so unhealthy for you.
Meditation and mindfulness, exercise and as you say everything is temporary.
All things must pass
Another great way to help with your mood. I have playlists on you tube with songs like Louis Armstrong's "waht a wonderful world" and Frank Sinatra's That's life on them.
Great for a pick me up.
Interesting what you say about the overload of current affairs. My life is very mentally intense, has been for years and, yet, not like I'm under real pressure.
Learning to switch off is important. Doesn't mean not doing anything because that, if anything, leads to more thinking. Lot to be said for watching a dumb TV show or talking about the weather. I find reading very good.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
. Laughter is the best medicine etc.
But watching a funny film or reading a funny book is great alright.
top top post and I still struggle with mental health issues but there's no way I'm giving up my leonard cohen cds
Lol.
I hear ya. Everything in moderation though.
Excellent post KD. Asking for help is important as far as I am concerned, but you need to keep in mind some people won't be helpful to you. Helping others who struggle with their mental health and trying to help them change the current mindset they are in is also difficult. If you genuinely think you can't help, please ask someone else to help the person in difficulty or seek help of professionals.
Great advice Eleven.
Also if you're in the process of helping someone with mental health issues, it is so important to look after your own mental health at the same time.
It's not being selfish to sometimes put yourself first, it is essential.