trying?

Ok so is trying actually trying or are you under the philosophy that you do or you don't and there is no trying? So as my therapist put it, either I'm working on getting better or I'm not but "I'm trying to get better," is just an excuse that allows me to wallow. (Ok some of that has been paraphrased but you get the gist) So do you agree or do you think trying is the first step?

I think that all we can ever ask for is that we just do our best. Now, "our best" is very subjective, and what may appear to others as not really trying... could in fact be a lot different.

Do you feel as though you are trying? What sorts of things are you doing that could potentially help you? When I feel like i'm not really going anywhere, I sometimes just reflect back on what exactly it is that i'm working on to ... get somewhere, so to speak. So right now, that would be, participating in a Mindfulness class, speaking with a T, and also speaking with my pdoc. I also have little homework exercises that help to track my negative thinking.

Of course, those are just my examples, but I find that if I look at things more that way, it helps me to understand where exactly it is i'm standing at in the realm of "trying."

Sorry if i'm not being very clear...

well i am attending my weekly therapy sessions and I am trying to be more open and more upfront (I bury things) and trying to meet new people. I am also trying to be more structured...ie today is wednesday dance class, work etc...I HAVE to go...no laying in bed to feel sorry for myself.

Well there you go, sounds as if you are trying to do something about the way you feel? It may not feel like anything is happening right away, but thats progress for ya! Just keep doing what you're doing, and don't let anyone tell you that you're just giving yourself an excuse to "feel sorry for yourself." We know, and you know, that that's not the case.

Sadandalone, Do not let what others tell you that you are not trying, even if it is your T. If you choose to get up and face another day then you are trying, and that is working on getting better. It sounds like your T is playing words games with you. Sometimes they do that trying to encourage you, anyway you need to encourage yourself and know you are trying and you need to keep trying taking one day one miniute one feeling sometimes one breath at a time that is all you can do and that is trying and it is also working on getting well, it is what we all do in our journey to getting well. Be good to yourself try every day to say something good to yourself or tell yourself something positive and good about yourself, it's what I try to do.
Hope maybe this helps you.