Potential

Hello, this thread is the reason I made an account of here and will probably be a very long post . I feel very lucky for everything that I have been given and the opportunities I've seen. I feel like I am not living up to my potential as a person in multiple ways. It somewhat feels like the chicken and the egg, is depression causing this or am I becoming depressed based on my actions. (Mind you I haven't done much research on depression, and why haven't I )

I am currently in college and I feel like I am not making the most of it. I work hard at school, at least that's what I have been telling myself, and yet I don't feel like my grades nor feeling reflect the work that I have put it. I take time to study, take time to do my homework and after everything is handed back I feel down and know that I could of put in more effort. I am also not taking full advantage of the social aspect. I am a very shy individual and have a hard time meeting people. Everyone I see has friends around them, something to do over the weekend, girlfriend, etc. but not me. It seems like I can use this as an escape goat to not putting more effort into my school work because I am thinking of this yet I know I shouldn't bed.

Well this is a decent start of my long rant , hopefully this has made some sense and maybe some advice can be given Hopefully I am using this forum as intended and please let me know if I haven't

Hi there! I think it is a vicious cycle. If we continually do things that make us unhappy with ourselves, then we being the downward spiral. If that continues long enough, then we do experience brain chemical changes and true depression takes over. Keep doing what you know to be good and right, but also get some professional help to pull you up out of the spiral.

Depression tells us lies. Don't listen to the negative, though it will be in your thinking.

You did a good job using this site and this forum

PS College is a tough cookie to eat... but well worth it. TC!

Well, I hope you can give yourself credit for what are getting done in your life--it sounds like you are working hard at school and such. All of us could do things "just a little bit better." Sometimes we have to give ourselves credit for what we are doing. There is nothing wrong with being a little shy. Try to take small steps to engage with people. It is a tough thing to do--esp in a university setting--it can seem really overwhelming. Also, there are plenty of people who are shy and don't have a busy social agenda--you probably just don't see them. You are taking the first steps by talking about it here. Good for you! That is one thing you should congrat yourself on. I too am shy and I don't see anything wrong with it. I feel more comfortable having coffee with a couple friends than going to a party. I try to work on a few close friendships and I don't put too much pressure on myself to be the social butterfly. Take smalll steps.

For me finding the balance between schoolwork and my social life took some doing. It is so easy to fall into the trap that what you are doing is not enough, is not good enough..... It sounds like you are trying your best which is all you can do. I too was shy. I finally found some people who had common interests and friendships started. Do you like sports? Many colleges have intramural programs. I know I played on some of them too. I was an engineering student so who would have guessed I would have found any friends. And those concrete canoe races. How much better can you get?