[lilypup]

I am coming off of a severe two year depression. I was hypomanic before that...nothing too bad. Now I am feeling better but am not quite there yet. I have some things I'd like to get done, but am struggling. I wind up canceling things, even though I try to not over schedule. I went on disability six months ago, so I have plenty of time.

Here are some things I'd like to do and where I'm at:
-attend church (have good intentions, but can't seem to get up on time)
-socialize with friends (doing well here, but do cancel too often)
-shower every two days regularly (hate to shower)
-attend bipolar support group (doing well here)
-mentoring young friend with bipolar (doing well here)
-losing weight (have a good program but don't follow through..love sugar!)
-exercise (have a free gym membership but just don't go)
-cooking dinner (doing fine here)
-weekly date with husband (he's home too in the day so no excuse)
-write my life story in little bits (just starting)
-volunteer...give back so I feel useful..(nothing has come up I can do)

Honestly, I wake up and would rather just cheerfully watch TV, browse the net, and mess around the house. I don't feel depressed, just sort of low energy. I taught third grade and was a school administrator before I went out on disability...now I feel like a waste of space.

Any ideas for me? Thanks for listening...this helped to get it down in writing.

[sarahblue]

I know the feeling of frustration for not recovering fast enough. I also have that low energy thing. You seem to be doing a lot of good stuff.

PS It is possible to exercise at home. Or just take a walk. Not that I do that, lol.

[Trippin2.0]

The longer the depressive episode, the harder it is to break the depressive habits...

It took me months before socializing was no longer taxing ( I cancelled or made excuses to bail early habitually), it took months before not being a couch potatoe was my natural response, months before series marathon wasn't the go to past time...

Go easy on yourself, be gentle with yourself, Rome wasn't built in a day.

What I dooo suggest?

Set a timer for the tasks that seem unappealing, example, a half an hour of writing, schedule your dates with hubby in your phone with a reminder, make a to do list and reward yourself with something simple for checking an item off the list.

Baby steps, no need to rush yourself, nobody is chasing you

[Skitz13]

I went through a two year depressive episode. Getting back into the swing of things takes a little time.

Pace yourself. Don't try and do everything. You don't want to overwhelm yourself and set yourself back. Baby steps.

Start with the real easy things. Maybe just one thing a day and add on slowly.

Continue to practice self care. VERY IMPORTANT. Enjoy the relief!!!!

[Skitz13]

Just saw your other thread. Really, really take it easy.

I know the relief of feeling better and the great ideas and all the things you've been missing out on.

Don't try and play catch up, yesterday. We can all get impatient with the process but you have to take care of what you have right now.

Don't compromise it. Just relax with it.

[manymiles]

I have been really depressed too. I forgot to focus on my successes as well and it contributed to me feeling really bad about myself

- You made it through all those depressed situations feelings, those long dark nights (and days) You survived that.
- You helped all those third graders!
- Even wanting to do these things might be progress for you, (or not I don't know). For me it was.
- You have the courage to reach out now.
- I am sure there are a lot of other things you have done

I know I find myself over focusing on where I want to be without recognizing what the amount of extremely hard work I have done to get here. For me it contributed to also feeling like a waste of space.HTH

Sound like you are on you way!