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Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

I am 64 - and I have lost hope. I live by myself - (except for my beloved cats) - in a very small town - and they are the only living beings keeping me going. It is too late to have hope - I have messed my life up over and over for years and years

16 replies

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In response to: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Hello 👋🏼 @JulesBlues Welcome to the forum.

I’m starting over again from scratch at the age of 61.

No pets, no home, no job.

Have you thought about a housemate?

Women over the age of 55 are the fastest growing percentage of homeless people.

G

In response to: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Hey @JulesBlues

I'm sorry that you are feeling despair and hopelessness. I can relate to your feelings of having messed up my life over and over. But I think at any point there is still opportunity to build activities into our lives to create meaning. No matter how small. Personally, I'm about to go back and study. Is this something that might appeal to you? I can hear that you live in a small town, are there any opportunities to get involved in community events or is the town too small? And aren't pets amazing! Good on you for posting, and talking about your feelings.

In response to: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Hi @JulesBlues

First of all welcome to the Forums. Secondly I exploded my life 3 years ago, lost my job. career, all my friends, and sooo much money, but now at 55 I am regrouping and trying to get my life back together. Am doing my CERT IV MH Peer Work, some volunteering and some courses, most of which is on line, so maybe thats something you could think about. Oh I have 2 cats, who are snoring like troopers on the couch. So @JulesBlues anything and everything is possible. I imagine you have a wealth of lived experiences, maybe they can be your inspiration.........Asgard

In response to: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Thank you so, so much - I actually feel a little hope from your response.
I have actually worked in peer support and peer based education my whole life - I have just felt so out of the loop and a ‘kinda’ freak in my small town. I looked up organisations where I could connect last night - I was almost desperate to not feel so alone - and I saw I had actually joined in 2019 and not engaged - and my life has gone progressively down hill - I feel I have truly ‘burrowed down’ in my isolation.
Thank you so much again

In response to: Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond.
And yes - I have definitely thought of getting a housemate - I lived in a refuge for homeless women from 2012 - 2013
- from ages 51 - 53
My home is a disaster because I have let everything ‘go’ - but thank you - maybe having a housemate is something to at least consider once again.
I am so sorry things are so tough for you - I imagine things are frightening with all your unknowns - do you have contact with people ‘in the flesh?’
Thinking of you and thank you once again

In response to: Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Thank you Asgard for your honesty and empathy. I am doing volunteering such as Meals On Wheels - and my background in employment has been peer based and community education and support - so considering peer based volunteering is an idea that actually makes me feel hopeful - because feeling connected and ‘useful’ are definitely missing in my life
Thank you so much once again Asgard

In response to: Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Welcome to the forums @JulesBlues ,

Thank you for sharing.

I can totally relate to what you mentioned about feeling like a 'freak' in your own small town.

I just for me, it was one step more where I was a 'freak' unto myself. I didn't even know who I was. That was even harder...

Whatever it is, I hope you will be able to connect with others on the forums and hopefully feel a stronger sense of belonging and connection.

You are not alone.

In response to: Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Thank you so much Tyme for your empathy and honesty.

In response to: Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

@Asgard @Ainjoule @Glisten , the above responses are for you (from @JulesBlues ).

In response to: Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Re: Rapid cycling despair and hopelessness

Hey @JulesBlues

Thanks for your response and I love your avatar! It's actually peer work I am studying. Started today. Sounds like you already have a head start in the field, go you! There are so many more opportunities for the peer workforce these days hey. I can see that you are a very warm and empathic person, and how you would be great in this field.

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