Feeling lost/disappointed

@L12 Sounds like you are say that your work is bringing you down, is that right? Is it maybe time to a career change. Burnout is so common when helping people with issues. If you have your own mental health issues it can sometimes exacerbate your own mental health issues.
What do you think could help? What’s causing you to feel like this?

@Little_Leopard I do enjoy the work I do and the people I work with. I just think we’ve been short staffed for awhile and it’s been so busy. Things had been going really well up until the last three weeks, where I’ve felt down. I’m just trying to understand if that is expected in mental health recovery. To feel like things are tracking well, then feel like I’m going backwards. I haven’t experienced like that before since commencing meds and treatment.
I did get out today, went and got a few things from the shops and went over to a neighbours place for a cooking demo, that was nice. Just feeling on the low/less positive side. Not quite sure what might pick me up.

It’s good that you like your work @L12 .

can you think back to three weeks ago. Did something happen. Was there a conflict or maybe some bad news. I find that I can get triggered by things that I think should not bother me. It can be a shocking story on the news. Maybe a tragic story or situation one of your clients have faced. Maybe someone at work has made you feel a bit down because something they said or maybe or something bad has happened to them. There will/can usually be a trigger or a stressor that sets this stuff off.
Have you been taking a good amount of time relax and recoup? Taking good care of yourself is so important when your job is to care for others. You have to ramp up the self care and take extra good care of yourself.

im sorry that you have had a setback. And yes it common for recovery to have its ups and downs. I know people who have to take a weeks or month off work or admit themselves into the psychiatric word because they have slipped back into a state where they need that support and help to get back in track. That’s ok and is actually expected. Mental illness is something we learn to live with. We can’t magic it away so we just manage it the best we can.

it’s good to try and find your triggers. If you can catch yourself early on and identify your triggers then you can take preventative measures for the future. It all takes time and is all part of the recovery journey.

what do you think?

@Little_Leopard i honestly can’t think of a specific trigger. It feels like it was more of a slow burn. I’ve been trying to be more low key in what I do. When I get home, I do spend some time having some down time, and allowing my body the sleep and rest it needs. It gets to night time and I feel down. I don’t have the energy for my usual cup filling activities. It’s a public holiday tomorrow, so I’ll try a gentle walk with my dog and a bit of tidying around the house. I find if I declutter a bit, it helps my head space.

I think I’ll also plan a few days off the week after next, go for a massage.

I guess I just wanted to know that this can happen, you can feel good, then feel a bit stuck again.

@L12

Well done with the progress you have made & the hard work you have put in to get there. Yes setbacks are part of the recovery journey. It sounds like you are quite self-aware about what may be contributing to this setback, which is a good start to get back on track. Probably you can't change the short-staffing situation, and it sounds like working with people is something you enjoy and don't want to change at this stage. What strategies do you think you could use to help you with your low energy & motivation? What has been helpful in the past when you were down in the past. What strategies have you previously used that might help you now?

Self care is often a good step - focussing a little bit more than usual on looking after yourself physically & emotionally. Some ideas for caring for yourself physically could include eating some healthy comfort foods like soup; doing a little exercise; unwind/relax/meditate before bed so you sleep better. Emotionally - connect with friends, relaxation, disconnection from work (leave work at work), connect with professionals.

@CrazyChick thanks. The shirt staffing part has eased with new team members, but it will take a little longer to see the full effects, but it’s getting there.
In the past, I did go for walks, listen to audio books etc. I got some new face care products the other day, and that gave me a nice boost. I actually think I need some time to not be on demand. I think when I’m working this weeks I need to get outside at lunch for a walk, and then again in the arvo, just to freshen up a bit.
Need to get myself some new earphones to listen to books while I walk my dog.

I’ll give all those things a go.

I think I needed to hear that these set backs can happen, and it’s not a reflection on the work I’ve done. It’s just part of life and my journey.

Thanks all, it really helped to chat this out. You’ve all been super kind and helpful.

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@L12 wrote:

It kinda made me feel what even is the point of doing the work on myself.

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Hi @L12 , looks like you've got your answer, but I just wanted to pop on and say, Well Done for doing the work on yourself. It's hard work but it pays off in the long term. Like the others said, you will have setbacks, and I've found that depression suddenly hits for no reason that I can see.

In the long term, I've found that all those years in therapy (ongoing) made me capable of enjoying life again, despite the setbacks which come sometimes.

@NatureLover thank you. I know I need to persevere with the work. I have a really great psychologist.

That’s it, it just seemed to come out of nowhere. But I’m gonna keep doing the work.

@L12 You sound very self aware. You are able to identify that it was a slow burn situation and that you had not been able to have the energy to keep up with your usual levels of self care and personal enjoyment. The self awareness and insight you have is very promising in terms of your recovery journey.

oh yes, these up and downs are absolutely normal and expected. This is the nature MH conditions. That is why MH folk end up having lots of compassion, patience and understanding. It’s kind of like post traumatic growth.

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@L12 wrote:

I have a really great psychologist.

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This is really great to hear, @L12 !

Good luck as you persevere with the work on yourself.