Welcome! Introduce yourself here 🙂

No idea if I should continue posting in this thread or start a new one.

Probably good to start a new one 🙂 Then more people can connect with you. @Zol

Hi @Zol

I read your introduction and updates. I'm glad that talking through your experiences appears to be helping you. I think it also helps others, so thank you.

I can relate to a number of your experiences, such as giving up work to focus on my mental health, only having one close friend who has her own challenges. Otherwise I have no local support (all my family are inter-state), I don't have a partner, etc. I was diagnosed with ASD in my 50s, living off savings, and trying to search for my path out of depression.

I'm glad you are pursuing the HR option. You have many unique, lived experiences to bring to such a role in any organisation keen to develop an inclusive workplace. It appears you are turning your negative employment experiences into a positive, which is terrific. You will have a good sense of what makes an inclusive, respectful workplace so that others (and yourself) would not endure such negative experiences in future.

I wish you success in finding your path to enjoyable, rewarding employment.

Kind regards, xp

Hi Everyone,

I recently joined this SANE forum and starting to find my way around.

I'm xp, and was diagnosed with ASD in my 50s a couple of years ago. I quit by job prior to focus on my mental health, since work took up all my time, prevented me getting help and led to severe depression. I have a long way to go, but I have less excuses now to avoid seeking help.

I've tried some interests over the years outside of work such as horse riding, composing music and creative writing. I have largely given these up since quitting work due to finding the interests expensive and really just a way to help me interact with people (e.g. horse riding), or finding the activities isolating and stressful rather than relaxing and interactive (e.g. music and writing, in part due to my perfectionism). I've worked in the one life-consuming job for decades, so I haven't had many experiences to draw from and, now, not the money to try new things.

I am hoping to learn from others about their experiences, and in doing so learn more about myself and potential paths forward. I will post separately on specific areas. For now, I wanted to say hello and introduce myself and a bit of my background.

Kind regards, xp

Hi there @xp,

We wanted to take this opportunity to welcome you to the forums.

We hope that you find the forums a great place to connect with other members, share stories and ideas, and find the support and connection you deserve.

Thankyou for introducing yourself here!

We look forward to seeing you around on the forums!

Babyshark and

xx

Hi Thanks @xp.

I also think we have some similar experiences and it is good to know that I'm not alone. I also lived interstate from my family for over 25 years (I thought I read that your are interstate from family).
Being in my hometown has some benefits but I'm still fairly isolated.
Partly by choice and necessity while I'm dealing with a number of traumas.

A thought that came up for my healing is I think I need to practice and develop skills that help healing. Like a gratitude practice.
And self forgiveness. And being able to like myself.

A powerful thought came up last night that made a difference to me.

I am already the person I aim to be.

This is because I already have the qualities and values of the person I aspire to be. (No miracle there. They are my values of course. But I had an experience when I didn't exhibit my best values and it was somewhat public. This event stemmed from someone being very disrespectful to me. I was gutted and I responded in a less way that also looked disrespectful.)

After 5 years, I think I can forgive myself for the action I took that wasn't in alignment with my best self and values.

That event and the inadequate follow-up from my team/community, added to or maintains my trauma.

(And if you are wondering, No, I didn't hurt anyone.)

Hi again
Thanks again @xp

Re what you said:
"I'm glad you are pursuing the HR option. You have many unique, lived experiences to bring to such a role in any organisation keen to develop an inclusive workplace. It appears you are turning your negative employment experiences into a positive, which is terrific. You will have a good sense of what makes an inclusive, respectful workplace so that others (and yourself) would not endure such negative experiences in future."

and building on my previous response regarding my self image, self esteem, trauma, and personal values...

I think the indicating "needle" of who I am, at least in my mind, has been pushed significantly into the negative direction, and for me, studying HRM or something similar, will help to push the needle back in the positive direction.

Thanks

Hey everyone,

Decided to reach out and join a community of individuals who have similar experiences we can all relate to. I've already posted once and had some nice replies which was reassuring.
I've dealt with mental health for a while now, a lot of ups and downs but I do believe there is light at the end of the tunnel. With the right purpose, passion and support system it will make this trip smoother for each and everyone of us.
I look forward to meeting some of you and giving advice where I can.

Thanks,
Lostlad.

Hi @Lostlad

I'm new here too.

I've posted about the issues going on for me and got supportive replies.

What does your mental health and life look like?

There should be someone that can relate and provide some insight.

Travel well.

Zol