[FacingChains]

Hi , I am in the middle of a major depressive episode and am fighting badly to put some structure into my day.
I am barely able to brush my teeth/shower.
It all ssems so pointless yet i try not to listen to those thoughts in my head like that. I know it is my illness speaking...
Anyway, could anyone tell me some tips/tricks they know for putting structure into my day? like ways to encourage myself or sneaky ways to make myself feel better? God!!!, anything, different ways to write to do lists, times best to take walks?? .. best ways to take walks.....ive done so much of this before...i need to get out of the house desperately...I live in a beautiful area and havea dog, but can only walk him due to health reasons early in morning or as sun is going down...so I have a whole day, a whole yawning, empty day and no friends, not a one! and no money...any suggestions? the only place I can find any peace from hating myself for being such a loser (i know "generalization":untrue) is in bed ..or I just walk around my apt all day unable to focus on anything, settle down and do anything, I am so distracted and confused, laying down is my only relief, but i feel like such a lazy bum. I havent taken my dog out in two days, my bf has instead/ w/out me. I feel like I need my abuser here to yell at me to make me do things, Maybe she was right when she would say, "you dont understand anything unless someone screams at you." WTF. I would appreciate any tip at all! Chains.

[Rohag]

Hello, FacingChains!

At best I have been able to achieve only a loose daily structure. I "surf the waves" of limited energy only when they appear. Even then, I barely have any control over what I do with that energy.

At some point I found that writing to-do lists drained me of more energy than they were worth and provided my depression with ammunition to tear me down. Currently, my only loose, minimized to-do lists are in my head.

Getting out of bed is usually not a problem for me because I prefer drinking coffee-milk standing up in the kitchen and looking out the windows more than lying in bed. Is there anything in your day you prefer to bed?

[Trippin2.0]

Firstly, I want to say that I commend you for trying to fight this and the negative thoughts that go along with it. I know how hard it can be, so kudos to you tips... Remember to be kind to yourself, i know for me that was much easier when I had money, coz I could reward myself substantially, but being broke has taught me to improvise you could make a tiny to do list, with no set time frame. Add brush teeth, do laundry and whatever else you should do, but don't want to / find hard to. After every accomplishment, give yourself a little treat. If you're done with your list, and rewards, and still have time, add a few more items. For me, even tho my hygiene goes out the door when severely depressed, I remind myself that a long hot bubble bath is something I love. It's relaxing and kills time, AND it cleans me so it's on my rewards list, instead of to do list. You could add anything simple to your rewards list. A nice meal, a good book, your favourite movie, online games, window shopping etc. If you can, how about take a short walk with your pooch, and get some nice pics of your surroundings. You could use them for a crafts project to help pass time and occupy your mind. Remember, keep the goals simple and realistic, and the rewards enjoyable. I usually crank up the volume to my favourite track, just to kick start my to do list, singing along is a welcome distraction to the task at hand. Hope I haven't given you ideas you already practice, good luck, and let me know how you're doing

[shezbut]

I like the idea of you walking your dog in the morning and early evening. During the day...how about sitting down with a pen & paper, and let yourself write whatever comes into your mind. Don't worry about spelling, punctuation, or making a story. Just write. Btw, make sure that you set a timer for 20 or 30 minutes for the task.

Some people find the writing exercise to be freeing & write like they're on fast forward! Others kind of struggle with the entire notion of "just writing" and just sit there. Of course, some people are in between these two. (That was me ~ I found it very hard not to use punctuation {I used it anyway!} and following a general plot in my paper.) None of these are wrong. Try to do it once or twice a day for a week. By then, you ought to have an idea as to whether or not it helps you.

You could make a collage. Use newspapers, junk mail, old magazines, etc and glue pieces to a large sheet of paper. Use your imagination. You may want to express how you're feeling now, or how you want to feel, where you want to be, things you like, etc. You could save it or rip it up and throw it away when you're finished.

Listen to music ~ music that doesn't bring you down further. Personally, it pushes me down to hear so-called "happy music" and I become angry, so I avoid it. But, I also avoid listening to certain artists that bum me out. Orchestra and chamber music written by favorite composers is very relieving to me. It brings me to a happier place in my mind.

Maybe you can try going to a public library, to borrow books or videos. You can sit and read there, go home, or stay for activities that they have.

Hope that I gave you a couple of helpful ideas, Chains. You're welcome to IM me, I'm really struggling myself. It may help us to talk about our misery ~ I have the same Dx.

[CastlesInTheAir]

just as an added suggestion......

just plain ole go outside....you don't even have to walk...you can sit...then walk a little...sit...stand...wander....change up where you go.....go for a drive even to no where but around....

I have the same issue although I force myself to shower everyday sometimes twice a day....i love showers...so no way I would miss it.....

[doggiedo]

These are some great suggestions. I might even try a few myself. I know I personally can't make lists bc if I set myself up for failure when I do- overachiever and if i don't complete them all (yes, it's unreasonable) then I feel like a screw up. Give it a try like the others said..if u feel up to it.

I love to color, too, to get my mind off of things. That's my suggestion. And I never color with the "correct" colors- I make my puppy dogs purple with a blue tail, etc.....it's fun that way. Coloring can also be therapeutic too.

Anyway, I think it's great that you are reaching out. I know how tough getting through the day can be. Are you not working right now? Are you seeing a doc that might be able to help u through this difficult time? Hang in there's hun. Let us know how tomorrow goes.

[CastlesInTheAir]

Try to remember when you were last active and how good it felt and what you were doing....what you saw what made you smile what you smelled and how good you felt at the end of the day

[sweathers81]

Maybe you should try the daily challenge on here, everyday its something new. It not very hard either. Good luck to you :-)

[sweathers81]

I was on the daily challenge page and saw a part called tracks, there's 30 some different tracks to pick from to help you daily with life. You should check it out.

[clouds_and_sun]

Hello FacingChains!
Yes you sound just like me, I love sleeping it escape the pain, no rejection in dream world, eh?! I know how you feel, I wish I could give you advice as I don't know what to do myself. All I do most of my day is sleep, take a shower brush my teeth eat a bit more and try to go out, when my only offline friend is around.
Sure my only offline friend gets me to get out and go for a walk, but guess what?... the only thing I talk about is my problems and I feel a burden to her, my only friend, cause of it.
Like you I have no money and I don't drive plus I live rather far out in a not too great neighborhood, so I am pretty much stuck at home, 'til my only friend comes home.
I guess I am writing this to let you know that you are not alone. I sure hope things improve for you