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Something’s not right

Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Trying to be happy, isn’t working

I really try hard to face life positively, but it just isn’t working. I don’t feel physically well, though there is nothing specifically wrong with me. I have had long bouts of depression since my early twenties, and I am back there now for the last three years. The black dog has now been joined by severe anxiety and due to some very traumatic events that left me without mt career of 50 years I now have PTSD. This has only been recognised recently. I have no interest in friends or family. Have no money have had to move home and this been another trauma for me that I can’t seem to move past.

I live with my youngest son who is 35 and has his own mh ussues and can be very difficult.i constantly think about death as my only option. But I just want to be happy, not deleteriously so, just happy. I have no partner and still grieve for my husband who died many years ago.

I can find nothing enriching in life

That is enough for now. Peri

468 replies

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In response to: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Dear @Former-Member ,

thank you for stopping by. Yes I have considered volunteer work. But something has held me back. I don’t know what. I love old people, well hardly surprising, I am one, but I think I would like that. Thank you

peri

In response to: Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

I volunteered briefly at a retirement village in the little cafe that they had. It was somewhere they could meet with friends or family. But my anxiety was too bad at that stage so didn't stay. The hardest thing is making the decision to do it, after that you will love it.

In response to: Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

I totally agree with you @Former-Member 😊

Hi @Peri ... been thinking of you, and hoping you are doing okay. 🌸

Emelia 💕

In response to: Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Hi @Emelia8 I hope you are recovering well and kicking the big C backside!

i believe you working in nursing homes and would be well aware of the joy when a new face enters their world. The program I saw was how kindy children joined the residents in play and interaction. So wish this was brought in across the country. The change was just incredible. 🌺

In response to: Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Hi @Former-Member ... its nice to see you again after some time away.

I am recovering okay now thank you. Meant to see my radiation oncologist tomorrow, but flooding is going to prevent me from getting there. Healing is still happening, and side effects from radiation not completely better yet. Still very sore. But I have a prosthesis now ... and its so much better.

Thats very true ... I have done volunteer work in aged care facilities for over 11 years and it brings a lot of satisfaction to me and obvious joy to the residents. I seen on tele a few places now where they have kindy kids visit aged care homes ... its such a good idea. Good for both the children and the oldies. I too wish it could be brought in everywhere. Things like that really do make a big difference to our older citizens lives. They have very little to do or look forward to in their lives ... and things like that makes a very positive difference to them. It gives them something to look forward to, when they would otherwise have nothing. And the really sad thing is that many of those people have no family or friends near enough to visit them, so they really have nobody.

I really do wish you would consider doing something like that @Peri . You probably have a council or state organisation which organises volunteers and places them in suitable positions. I would encourage you to look into it.

Emelia 😊💕

In response to: Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

@Emelia8 Sorry you are not able to attend the appt. But it is better to stay safe the floods have been terrible for you all. It is so very hot in Perth having 38 deg day after day. Just don't have the energy to do much. This may seem like a strange question but have you just moved to Tasmania? we have just booked to go in November/ December

and on a site I was on....lets just say I thought a comment was you.

In response to: Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Yes thats very true @Former-Member .. the flooding is major around here right now. Everywhere right through here is just an inland sea of water. So I am not going to be on the road if I dont have to. Fact is, I am unable to leave my area anyway due to road closures. I have inlaws in Perth and they told me its still been very hot over there. Hopefully it will start to cool down over the next couple of weeks. I find hot weather very draining indeed, especially when it so prolonged.

No, I haven't moved to Tassie. I have visited there several times though, and love it. I'm glad you have made a booking to visit TAS in Nov/Dec. I'm sure you will love it too. I live on the NSW mid north coast, where all the current floods are devastating the community. Same place that was so badly savaged by bushfires some 16 months ago. Our area has been hit very hard lately by natural disasters. Its so sad to see so many people suffering so much.

Emelia 🌸

In response to: Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Oh Emelia you are having it rough over there. I hope no life's are lost.

The reason I asked was that I saw an aviator just like yours on a comment. I didn't want to say too much Incase people started to look for it. I have gone back to have another look and the Dolphin is closer to the water than yours. Stay safe 🌺

In response to: Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Sorry @Peri if said too much 😔🌷

In response to: Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Re: Trying to be happy, isn’t working

Dear @Anastasia and @Emelia8 ,

you have not said too much @Anastasia I find your posts very supportive. I am having a hard time just at the moment and don’t seem to be able to pick myself up from it. It is a wet day here and mild, but not cold. We are just relaxing my little sweetie and me.i seem to spend a disproportionate amount of my time cleaning up the kitchen, still, at least I have that to do to make life more functional.

I need to set some life goals. Which I frequently do, but carrying them out is a whole other thing. Like going for a daily walk, drink less wine, or better still no wine.smile more, I am not one of life’s natural smilers, and I think smiling improves the mood .

i shall be 70 in a few months, I don’t mind being older, but I find the results of aging bothersome. Like a lot of young people I thought that it would not happen to me, the conceit eh. But here it is and I see the evidence everyday, crinkly arms, saggy this and that. I am not particularly wrinkly and have very little grey hair but things have changed.how do people find meaning in the old age phase of life? No more children to be had, no falling in love, no career , so setting goals seems difficult for me.

i shall think on this

thank you for listening

peri xx

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