[gordonsetter]

I am really down. I can't get myself out of bed in the morning(wake up at 6am and finally climb out at 11am). Not sleeping just staring at the ceiling. I move to the living where I do more staring with nothing but thoughts about how terrible of a person I am. I just shut down, can't make even the simpliest of decisions, and the only time I leave my apt. is to take the dog out to potty (out and back in-quick). My dog lays beside and lets me love on her but I feel so alone and don't know what to. I know I shouldn't feel this way and that makes me even more depressed. Anyone have any ideas?

[turquoisesea]

I'm low myself right now and feeling kind of trapped, but try to get out as much as you can
sending hugs, wanted you to know I read and hope you can do better, maybe I'll come up with some ideas but in the meantime:

[kebsfroggy]

Writing your thoughts down here helps me sometimes. The thoughts run fast and furious sometimes and they are not good thoughts. Writing them down helps release them.

Take your dog for a little longer walk rather than just out and in. Doesn't have to be far to start out. Just a little more every couple of days.

I know how your feeling and it is the pits.

[reach]

Depression is caused by various reasons. One of them is because we don't love ourselves enough. Your thoughts are killing your soul. At this point, it might be hard for you to stop those negative thoughts. However, you could always try and be aware of them.

What can really help is meditation. One of the places you can get free guided meditation podcast is from meditationoasis.com. It has helped many people especially with anxiety and sleep problems.

Also use virtual therapy such as this one here :-

http://www.bettertobless.com/movie3.html

Remember this - Loving yourself is a very very important tools in healing.

p.s. I think kebsfroggy has some good advice for you too.

May you be blessed.

[madisgram]

do u have a t and/or take meds for your depression? not everyone needs meds but jme, it made such a difference in my life partnered with seeing a t to discuss the horrible depression i had.
kebs makes a good point about walking your doggie. even a little exercise and getting out of the house will help. for me being alone with my thoughts only intensified the dark feelings i had. any activity to distract you may help. hope this helps.

[nowheretorun]

i cant help but reply to the title and not meant to be a wise-guy in any way..

up is the direction you look when you are finished looking down.. you can look sideways or left or right (yoga) and you can stretch your neck and breathe and feel joy in the moment...

down is the direction we look when we feel low and sad.. we look to the ground for bearing on where we are now, on earth, in this place, at this time and we know there is ground beneath us and shelter in knowing we will not spin off into space (gravity)

i enjoy thinking on the terms of up, down, sideways, and all around.. it gives me vision and view and perspective.. it helps me to know which way is safe to travel next (i go some shadowy areas sometimes) and i know which way is the safest exit for me (if i am being smart)

to care where we look and how we look is very essential.. t is a step in the mandala process called 'centering'... knowing where we are at in any given moment is essential to taking our next careful step.. when we are in shadows we are like the blind and at times we must feel our way on the journey.. taking what is right and true where it is found and keeping it within, in that center place, located somewhere between 'up' and 'down' (depending on your height) ...

look up, you never know what might land on you .. sending hope and prayers..

((((((gordonsetter))))))))))))))))) I myself have spent time looking at the ceiling
For me its a time of thought and relaxing. I do only do that at night when I need to get my thoughts toghter. Do you have a T?
someone you can talk to IRL? or keep talking here as ((you matter)))))
I agree getting out with your dog on longer walks may help alot.
Getting out of bed earlyer if you can may help too...
please know you are not a terrible person. Anyone with a animal has a kind soul awwwww
please take care of you and know that ((you matter)))))))) maybe the ceiling is trying to tell you that
Muffy