what gives you joy that you can't bring yourself to do?

i suppose this is a symptom of Depression. It comes I guess from the same factor that causes us to isolate ourselves and sometimes neglect our self care. It isn't just a medication induced lack of motivation to do those things important to us; we simply lose the capacity to care.

After eons I took out my pastels and paper and had a go. Pitiful attempt but at least I tried. It brought some happiness and enjoyment. I have fully known it would do so yet have ignored the calling.

I am thinking I am not the only one to do this - to stare in the face of what we know is good for us and not make that step and effort to do so.

I have to say, it used to be video games. I mean I say to myself, "maybe I have just outgrown them," but I think its more than that. I think people don't realize or even give gamers credit of how much dedication that takes, along with skill, patience and just DRIVE to accomplish a goal. I have the drive and skill, but the patience? Absolutely NOT.

The same can be said for sitting down in a nice quiet place and reading a book. Like a whole book, or even maybe 10 pages, because I tried recently and it was totally not happening.

Cooking is something i truly enjoy doing and attending cooking class. when im depressed i have a very hard time going to my cooking class. When i do push myself to go i feel a ton better and not so depressed. Also self care is hard to do at most times when im not feeling mentally well

Exercise

Same.

I also can't remember the last time I met up with a friend for coffee and/or a nice long walk. It's seriously been years. My social life is limited to my husband and my cat and the occasional brief but friendly chat I have with a sales clerk.

music

i listen to alot jpop it makes my life more upbeat and fun

thanks for letting me know folks

i meant singing :S

Almost anything, right now. I really hope this passes. I feel like a lead weight.

Couple of things I love but don’t do nearly as much. Sometimes it’s lack of motivation but usually it’s just because I am tired. Like right now I am watching horrible tv show instead of doing anything meaningful.

I want to go back to school and get a degree in computer science or graphic design.

I don’t know if my anxiety can handle going to school and working at the same time. Also paying for college could be a HUGE issue. My part time retail job is stressful enough.

I also need to learn how to drive. I put it off long enough. I’m just going to force myself to start in the spring.

I’m also not totally sure I want to sit in an office for 40 years. Yeah it’s better then a warehouse I suppose.

This is odd, but my dream job is to be a truck driver. Something about driving cross by myself, eating at diners at 3 in the morning, showering at rest stops and being on a long stretch of road by myself for days at a time, really appeals to me.

I’ve had this dream for several years. So it’s not one of my crazy ideas.

My goal is to be able to be a truck driver in 10 years.

Playing my trombone, just can't bring myself to do it anymore. But I will never sell it.

Might I make some suggestions?

Start contacting trucking/cartage companies and get a feel for what is required by the industry. Also find out what they look for in a potential driver.

Also contact as many different driver training (commercial driving) schools as you can. Find out their programs and what is involved. Some facilities will also train you and certify you in particular cargo and delivery systems. Some programs offer job placement services too.

You must contact your government regulator/registration/auto licensing service. What are the requisites for obtaining a commercial learners permit and eventual license? I can tell you this is where you might be disappointed. All jurisdictions require a medical for a commercial license and many of these medicals include a mental health assessment. I had to give my commercial 2A license when I was diagnosed with depression. Look into this now before you make plans and assumptions about the future in order to avoid great disappointment.

Once you have your Commercial Class1 license in hand, this is not necessarily a ticket to immediate long haul driving. Most companies require a minimum 6 months and experience in winter driving conditions. How does one obtain that experience? Many take out jobs hauling gravel, etc. In addition there may be security requirements depending on where you will be travelling. Many cargos require additional training and certifications to haul.

Once you have that experience in hand you need to decide what type of driver you wish to be. These are broken down into company, lease operator, owner operator.

So as you can see there is a lot to plan for and consider. I would get on this now if you want to avoid future grief.

Great great luck!

I used to love writing, but when I started to grow more confident and think about if I wanted to publish, where I wanted to go with it, and what I wanted to do, I just felt lost. Nothing really seemed to make me that happy anymore when I finished.

I try to do something creative in the traditional sense ie writing poetry, doing a pastel or an acrylic painting. Today I wrote an editorial on the Russian probe and Trump admin. Its for a local paper in Princeton NJ.

Thanks for the info.

I’m trying to take things one at a time. I currently don’t even know how to drive a car. I’m going to start when the weather gets warmer.

But thanks for the info. I didn’t know anything really.

Does it matter if your mental health issues are very mild and do not impair your ability to make the correct decisions?

My main issue is my anxiety. But it doesn’t prevent me from functioning and I can work just fine.

I want to take piano lessons. I used to be able to play the piano reasonably well aside from some note timing problems. I have a synthesizer that has a piano setup. I have a very good keyboard for this even though the keys are not weighted like a real piano. I just cannot get to setting it all up and learning once again how to play the piano. This is a mental hurdle for me.

I don’t play the piano much lately. I need to be in a good mood to do that. I’ve been a little anxious and my meds make me a little tired, so it just doesn’t happen.

Read a book. I used to read so much, but now, I don't think I've read a whole book in 4 years. It's a little surreal to me.

The thing is, these forms are filled out by a family doctor; not a professional mental healthcare practitioner. The answers are yes no and thus there is no opportunity to describe or make assessment of level of illness. It is not about level of impairment and ability to perform a job, it is about potential for making a dangerous act. Lying on a form incidentally is a crime. Besides, a doctor would recognise a problem when they ask for a list of your medications.

But I suppose not all forms are alike. Get yourself a copy of one. Discuss this with your doctor or therapist. They could be of great help. Get your medical completed before you start your commercial driver's training.

I get the art thing, I used to be quite good at drawing and enjoyed it - I just can't seem to get the mojo back though I've tried many times.

Books - used to read all the time and just can't focus now.

Swimming - used to swim a few miles a week and no longer seem to be able to motivate.

I fall in and out of love with running, but not quite given up yet.

I'm not currently depressed or suffering mh difficulties so in my case it's just me and how I am right now.

making musci gives my joy but theese days i just cant get into it really sad tbh

Originally Posted by Hopingtrying
This post was actually triggered by another incident/confrontation at home yesterday/last night. It is something that is personal (and involves more than just me--I don't feel right discussing details) but is something that is a consistent trigger for me. We did discuss it this morning. My H said (paraphrasing the meaning), it is going to be my way or I am going (implying divorce separation). What do I do? I propose delaying what he proposes we do. It is not in my nature to disagree/ be confrontational. I suppose I do not always hide how I feel but I sugar coat everything rather than being completely frank.

Originally Posted by TishaBuv
Don’t let the door hit you in the azz!

I wish I was as naturally sassy as TishaBuv!

I do not have the courage to go around poking bears.

I used to read a lot and then stopped so now I signed up for a book club. I don’t really go to meetings, too busy, but I do read those books in case if I can make it to a meeting. It’s called “girly book club”, look it up online

Cooking use to be therapeutic for me. I use organic as much as possible and fresh is best. Being homeless while fighting for my disability has made this joy almost impossible. My taste buds have vanished since Dec 26, 2017.

I'm a voracious reader and always have been. The overwhelming despair I struggle with daily has stolen this joy too! Helping others has always been a joy, but my severe TRUST issues keep me from wanting to try. " I can't help myself, so how can I possibly help anyone else?" I hope and pray daily that I will know JOY again....somehow.