[NovaBlaze]

As part of my continued battle with anxiety and depression, I’m focusing on the positives (however infinitesimally small) that I can latch onto to get me through the frequent moments when I plummet into self-absorption throughout a normal day. Quite often these moments occur when I’m feeling trapped in a situation - out shopping, being with people I haven’t chosen to be with, attending a meeting I don’t really want to go to, etc. these are the times when my anxieties and panic can kick in.

So, I try and find a moment to think about something positive that I can look forward to that will be my reward for getting through the next 30 minutes, hour, two hours or whatever time-dependent situation I’m stuck in.

I’m finding if I can think of a positive thing to look forward to, e.g. reading the next chapter in my book, listening to a song that I know will lift me, watching a film or TV program I like, then this will stop my mind from becoming consumed in the fear of whatever panic is in danger of overwhelming me.

This has been working quite well. I’m finding that the positive I pick doesn’t have to be a big thing, I just need to keep it in the back of my mind, as an “anchor” in my storm.

What are the sorts of things you would pick to look forward to?

[am6985]

Awesome idea. Many times I look forward to more bigger/long term things or bigger types of things that I am grateful for. At times that’s actually challenging.
Think it’s time to maybe just look forward to smaller things and be grateful for them. Like reading that book chapter and things like you mentioned. Sorry I didn’t actually answer your question more in depth but I will once I rethink those things.

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[splitimage]

Good idea. I do something similar when I'm trying to motivate myself to do something I don't particularly like, such as cleaning, or on days when I really don't want to go into work, or to my volunteer activities.

For me the positive thing could be things like knitting for a while, watching funny cat videos, scrolling facebook, having nice cup of tea, listening to a favourite musician or having a small snack

[Premier]

I am new here and was hoping to read stories of how people are doing with depression. My first time with depression. Looking for some thoughts. Looks like my coping skills are not working to keep by depression away. helpful ideas welcome.
and I can share mine also

[Fuzzybear]

Good thread. For me, some of the positives I look forward to (especially if in a stressful situation, often involving people I don't want to interact with), or like splitimage I have some cleaning I need to do (I did some today I'd been putting off...) are listening to some favourite music, reading a good book, finding something interesting online, looking at cute bear pictures or videos, making some (adult ) lego, or buying something like a cute pair of pj's or a shirt. (or even a care bear, don't tell anyone )

[Tart Cherry Jam]

I was once in an IPO, which for the most part was useless and even provided outright bad advice, but one of the program's staff actually gave us good advice that I often recall more than 8 years later:

Think of something good that happened in recent past and of something good you can look forward to in the near future.

Right now I am looking forward to the next session with my doctor, the piano concert tomorrow, and the opportunity to quickly finish today's work, left over from the few hours I spent in the office today, over the weekend. I have some more work to do over the weekend, and I complete it on time, I will reward myself with going to the local vintage movie festival.

Regarding cleaning: I listen to music, audiobooks, or those New York Times articles that have been narrated by a human or automated voice, while I clean. This way, cleaning becomes an enjoyable activity rather than a chore.

[LadyShadow]

I tend to have smaller goals. I am looking forward to spending time with someone tomorrow.

I want to make a plan to lose some weight for the future and for my health.

I also want to finish reading 3 books by the end of the year.