I tell you -- I have HAD IT with all the hassles that happen to me every day. It's just one thing after another. Something at home needs to be picked up or put away. Then another, then another all day long. I go outside and trip on the sidewalk. Some operation in the computer gives me another error message. Something electronic quits working altogether. Somebody's rude, mainly on the phone. Some customer service person is incompetent and screws things up, the next one in the same agency or company does, too, and the next and the next!!! This happened 4x today when I telephoned the mental health clinic. I am fed up, sick and upset. Life is too hard. It's just bombarding me -- and guess what -- No, I'm not doing too much (for once) First a series of ice storms, then a 2+ week cold/flu have made sure than I missed 10+ events since NOVEMBER I had planned and payed for to go. So now I am reading a lot, and watching some videos. Can't find anything particular I like, either place. I'm angry at several people I have no reason to be angry at. Just angry at life. I'm too tired to do anything, and I have a series of medical appointments in preparation for a nuisance-surgery I'll have next month. I''m not one of those people who gleefully regales others with "my surgery." I hear a lot of that, in the senior building where I live.

[hopeless2015]

Hugs, some days I don't cope at all. Some days I get through 15 minutes at a time then start over again. It's hard

. . . one hassle at a time . . . Breathe. Taken one at a time, they are truly little hassles.

[Ripose]

I know how you feel. I am in a calm period right now but I live in a constant state of anxiety just waiting for the next round of crap to start. The only ways I have of coping is an extra benzo or a couple of drinks, not that I encourage either though. I have tried meditation and I can't relax enough for it to work, maybe it will work for you.

Dear friends! I'm so happy that each of you has responded, and confirmed/supported my "situations" Now I will respond to each of you individually.

Thanks for the insights, Lolagrace. I try to remind myself that I/we are not in the midst of a genocide, like some African and Balkan countries. And we have clean water -- so far anyway - unlike so many people on earth who have to drink dirty water, including Flint, Michigan, USA

Originally Posted by lolagrace

. . . one hassle at a time . . . Breathe. Taken one at a time, they are truly little hassles.

Originally Posted by Ripose

I know how you feel. I am in a calm period right now but I live in a constant state of anxiety just waiting for the next round of crap to start. The only ways I have of coping is an extra benzo or a couple of drinks, not that I encourage either though. I have tried meditation and I can't relax enough for it to work, maybe it will work for you.

I have a rx for Valium. It's prescribed for anxiety, also for sleep. The r x covers 10 tablets a month 10 mg each. The rx is to tak 5 mg at a time. I save them for when I can't sleep.

As for mediation! forget THAT. I know people who say it's the greatest thing and helps them so much! But guess what -- do you suppose these people continue meditation for years at a time? I have only known ONE person who did. These others....more like a few months, maybe...And I don't see them being a "better person" than me. Sure, the ones I know don't have bipolar, but still... their persona has not improved, so far as I can tell.

As for my type of medication (which I really must do, when these hassles happen) it's drawing, and playing my musical instrument. I sing, too, but not at this time b/c I have bronchitis.

Yes, you are so right!! It IS hard. I'll try 15 minutes at a time..good suggestion. I'll set a timer or 15 minutes. I know know how other people would deal with a timer, though. I like timers. I add up my successes! And excuse myself for any small lapses. Hopefully no big lapses!! That's the hard part... After I got your post, I thought maybe 5 minutes at a time -- but...not a good idea...that's sorta like waiting for the other shoe to fall, if you know that expression. I think it might mean somebody living in an apartment above you drops one shoe (on your ceiling, that is!) and then you wait in nervous anticipation for the other shoe to fall.

Originally Posted by hopeless2015

Hugs, some days I don't cope at all. Some days I get through 15 minutes at a time then start over again. It's hard