Night Shift

Hi @Former-Member, just woke up again after a few hours of sleep and read your message. I get what you are saying about quality of life and will to live. Despite sounding pretty chipper here on the forum at times, I too am troubled by similar struggles with will to live at times. I believe this is depression talking. Since finding these forums almost a year ago and the additional real life support this has led to, these thoughts are less and less. I can't remember if you receive counselling of any kind but it would seem like that might be something that could be helpful for you.

Yes, I think it is about awareness of how unhelpful to ourselves these mental processes are, and finding ways that work for us of getting out of those dark thought streams wherever possible. Another technique that is part of my 'homework' from my psychologist at the moment is to 'postpone the worries'. What that means is that, unless the thoughts that are bothering us really need immediate attention (eg. the smoke alarm is going off and flames are lighting up the living room), we can 'postpone' them to one 20 minute block per day when we 'give ourselves permission' to worry for just that amount of time. Then set ourselves as free as possible from them for another day.

I agree with @Faith-and-Hope that the little 'touches' we make on each other's lives add up. We would miss you if you were gone and are here to help you through whatever it is you could face with health hurdles. At the least, yes, it would be prudent to know what you are up against. It may not be the worst you are fearing at all. Then we could crack the virtual champagne with you.

It won't be tears for no reason @Former-Member. Sometimes the heart cries without informing the mind as to why. It's one of the mysterious aspects of being human I think. There is obviously something washing out in you somewhere. Just let it go. Your heart knows what it is doing ❤️❤️

I have run-around to do - daughter to school, although the that's a brewing drama already with her awake during the night with these stomach pains. She is missing too much school and it's causing major problems. Son 2 is going to art class so I will drop and collect him too. Hopefully catching up with a friend for coffee in the afternoon.

I have to start putting the house back together after the weekend. It starts coming apart at the seams every time I turn around.

Yes, HAPPY BIRTHDAY @eth 💐🎈🎉

Hi @Faith-and-Hope, you are one of the true amazonian ones I see around here. My individual issues are brought into better perspective when I read about the responsibilities you seem to handle daily with such serenity.

Happy birthday @eth!

Thanks @Mazarita, there is a lot to do, but most of it is a stream of frustrating low-grade issues that are exacerbated by the background issue with my husband. Think "iceberg". The bulk is underwater, and hidden from view. That will change at some point, and the iceberg will surface, hopefully, but also apprehensively, sometime soon.

While I have had experience with intellectually disabled people and challenging relationships, I am new to the sort of MI issues we are faced with here, and I am learning so much from the forums, not only from the carers, but probably more so from you all, who are living the experiences from the other side, and doing it so well. I am so grateful to have found this forum, and feel humbled by it.

Happy birthday @Eth I hope you have a great day!!

And @Mazarita thanks for sharing the "postpone the worries" tip.