New member introduction

Hello Everyone,

My user name is Zazzle61 and I suffer depression related to past mistakes with family, friends and children. I live with a deep regret, shame and unforgiveness for myself. The things I chose to do with my life were not crimes, as a matter of fact, they were very legal. However, my choices to preserve my mental health hurt my children's feelings and they have had a hard time coping in life. I blame myself almost totally, but my husband says my children have a certain amount of responsibility for how their lives move forward and that they shouldn't use me and my choices as excuses for why they are stagnant in life. I remember coming into this forum years ago and trying to get help through dialogue and I was judged harshly by those in here. I am reaching out once again, but if I get judged or no one engages, I will see this as an ineffective measure for me.

I intend to be as helpful as I can be in other people's issues because I have become a Counsellor and am working towards becoming a Psychologist. That doesn't mean that I know it all, as a matter of fact, my education to date has taught me that life, people and circumstances are ever evolving and changing and there are no constants by which one can judge one against another for comaprison.

Listening and empathy are tools that empower us to help each other and judgement causes the opposite of positive change, resulting in shut down or worse, deepening emotional pain.

I wish you all well and I hope that this time, I can chat about my situation in a safe space and get some positive feedback that will be helpful and I will endeavour to do the same for those I engage with.

Kind regards,

Zazzle61