Struggling: TW suicide

I usually feel better after a cry, like dispelling unwanted energy, especially now as I deem cries as not bad. My three favourite places to cry are: the ocean, the shower, and while driving.

My teenage boys see me cry when they are around. I'm not ashamed to let them. I believe letting them know others get vulnerable and learn how to deal with it, is beneficial for them, especially as they are learning how to come up with strategies in dealing with their own depression and anxiety now and into the rest of their lives... but I completely understand how difficult it is to be open with uncomfortable emotions.

I was on an escalator going down in a shopping centre the other day, looking at another man on the up escalator, thinking hard into his face "What's YOUR reason!? What keeps YOU deciding to keep living each day?" By the time I got to the bottom of the escalator, I'd decided that my purpose in life is to become a better man, keep doing this work, and hopefully let that filter into those around me. Some days are harder than others. It doesn't mean I always feel like I have a reason to live every day. I have to keep doing the work of accompanying neutral or positive mental judgements with my uncomfortable (I won't say 'negative' anymore) emotions. it is my most significant work, and takes great effort and fortitude.

Hope this helps.

Hey @Oggmo - thank you for posting. I found your post very uplifting - the idea of 're-framing' the situation in order to help oneself out of it.

Your post really encouraged me 🙂

Hi @creative_writer

I hear you @creative_writer - I have certainly felt the same in the past.

you are welcome to respectfully vent here if you think it helps 🙂 No one is here to judge @creative_writer .

As for your mum...it sounds like she's only doing a mother's job.

Like me, I sort of don't speak to my mother much because she just straight into mother-mode which is not healthy for either party.

I guess it is about picking your battles 🙂

You can validate yourself @creative_writer but you must learn the skills to do this. I can't rely on people to validate me, hence I have worked on skills to re-frame situations and give myself the validation I need - instead of expecting others to provide it.

You can't do something you don't know how to do. And you won't know you don't know how to do something unless you are told 🙂

Sitting with you.