Is being happy supposed to be this hard? I try so hard, and I'm still not happy. I try to get myself to show up to stuff. I try to be positive. I need to face my fears. I need to get a job. Etc. It's all so overwhelming. Who can be happy when they're so overwhelmed? Not me.

[IrisBloom]

I remember a therapist telling me long ago that I didn't get to the state I was in suddenly, and recovery won't be sudden either. Each small, tiny accomplishment is a step in the right direction. It's easy to get frustrated when we are not where we think we should be.

Be kind and patient with yourself.

[MickeyCheeky]

Sorry you feel overwhelmed. Take it one step at the time time..

I find I'm happiest when I can just feel what I feel and have people accept me with whatever it is I'm feeling.. I think there can be a lot of pressure in the world today for people to be happy, and not much tolerance for 'negative' emotions.. I've come to think of emotions as neither negative nor positive, they just are what they are and I find life easiest when I can just feel them all. Honestly, at one point I felt trying to be happy had become like a job and I started to resent it! Much more natural when you just let your emotions flow, come and go, whatever they are.

Facing your fears, finding a job etc. are NOT easy things to accomplish! I think it's very few if any who find them a breeze, most people I know struggle and can struggle immensely, myself included. And that's OK - what we need then is support I do believe it will get easier - with practice. Keep at it, and please don't be alone in your overwhelm - share it and let others support you through it We're here for you!

[Sunflower123]

Originally Posted by IrisBloom

I remember a therapist telling me long ago that I didn't get to the state I was in suddenly, and recovery won't be sudden either. Each small, tiny accomplishment is a step in the right direction. It's easy to get frustrated when we are not where we think we should be.

Be kind and patient with yourself.

I second this. Take care of you.

Thank you everyone. It's been a tough day. I suppose it's true Rome wasn't built in a day.