[heypplithinki]

I have been recovering from depression for around 4 years now. I didn't initially even know why I was having these symptoms of depression at first (such as low energy, leading me to stop all of my personal programming projects, not being able to follow conversations in the Youtube comedy series I used to watch, failing out of college, etc. I didn't really having energy for emotions or anything in general).

While I'm still pretty dysfunctional right now, I've improved a lot since then and have a lot of ideas. I believe that if I had the opportunity, at least 5 days a week, to be part of a community of people around my age (24) that did hard physical healthy (e.g. not inhaling carcinogens all day) meaningful work for at least 2 hours in nature (like, legitimately immersed in foliage and stuff), then that would super charge my energy. Well, depending on your situation and health, you could also be part of the community in less physically intense ways, by doing something else productive and outside.

So many people mention how accomplishing one small thing can given them a little momentum to do more.

People feel better when they're with other positive people and collaborating to do real good.

Physical exercise is good.

Also, I kind of feel like nature is nature's anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication (OK, so I'm not saying you're going to be cured from stepping outside for two seconds, and in fact you may feel worse. However, in general, really being IN nature, feeling like you're a PART of nature and BONDING with nature, and maybe even getting ADDICTED to nature, can help with depression and anxiety.)

I feel like it's way too easy to become trapped in depression and isolation in modern American society, and way too hard to get out. There are so, so many people who could benefit from something like this. One or more of the following seems to be true of basically all social environments/events for single American adults without children to meet each other:
1) You have to already have friends and/or having tons of social energy and social experience and confidence (which basically has to come from somewhere)
2) You have to pay for and drink alcohol in what to me is usually a dark depressing place
3) The event occurs very infrequently or maybe just once. So, you have just that day to meet people without really being able to warm up and truly being able to get to know each other.
4) There's no real need for a quiet depressed person to communicate with other people, and there's no real need for other people to communicate with the quiet depressed person. For example, I have tried multiple sports leagues. I feel like when I'm there, I'm not doing anything meaningful, and no part of me wants to say anything. Nobody says anything else interesting either. Sometimes I feel like I don't care about "fun". I want the opportunity to really connect with people and do cool or meaningful stuff - even if I'm starting from a low energy quiet "brain not generating much to say" state - I feel like I'm doing neither when I'm in a recreational sports league.

But, I've noticed that being in a relaxing outdoor environment, along with using my body to get something done (like raking), can sometimes help my feel more energized and social.

I'm not sure if I'm being super clear or coherent here. But, I just wanted to get these ideas out and brainstorm with you all.

[Skeezyks]

Hello heypplithinki: Thanks for sharing your perspective. I see this is your first post here on PC. So... welcome to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! I hope you find the time you spend here to be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. There are many knowledgeable & caring members here. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!