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A new start (kind of)

A new start (kind of)

Hi @Shaz51 @Zoe7 @outlander @TAB @Sam3 @utopia @Faith-and-Hope @Appleblossom @oceangirl @Sans911 @Snowie @Former-Member @soul @BryanaCamp @Former-Member @Bunniekins and whoever else is there in forumland

I have tagged some of you because we are speaking lots and some others haven't been around for long. If it's too much for you then that's okay I respect that. I won't take it personally.

I have decied to start up a new thread after my psychiatrist appointment today. Off to a new start.

Simply put, he made the point that I am pressuring myself to do stuff far more quickly than what I thought I could. When this approach fails, it feeds back into the loop that was there before (the "i am not good enough", "I have limited time", "I have wasted my life" etc).

He said it was good I didn't go to hospital and avoided ending up there. This doesn't help. What does help is changing the approach etc.

It was a good appointment. I see him again in the morning and then maybe someone else next week.

So it's not entirely hopeless or lost now.

He thought that pressuring myself to go and get this visa would be the wrong decision, given my state of panic yesterday and also this morning.

He said that I need to hold off on pressuring myself. By saying "okay now that I am in Australia for a bit longer, I need to go and find a job quickly" because this is simply unhelpful. It's the wrong attitude and will only feed back into those loops.

So am I feeling more settled? Yes. Do I know what is next? No. Does this bother me? No.

I see my psychologist tomorrow afternoon. I will get something from my psychiatrist in the morning about all of this I think, which he said he can send off as part of the extension on the visa (which lasts for 2 years anyway). It's just a case of extending the timeframe for when I can receive it.

This would effect my chances of working in defence, mi6 etc but these are already off the table for me given my history anyway. The same is the case for the military and police. It does seem like some things are cancelled out because of my MH, but maybe they are things I was never keen on anyways.

That's a side issue for now.

Going to the UK - still a goal. It's a case of how I get there and WHAT I do when I get there. We have established that rocking up with no job or place to live is too chaotic. Especially based on my experience and degree background and skills. But the UK is a goal. My Psychiatrist said "Poland is always there" so I think it might be worthwhile sending them an email asking if I could be either placed on next year's list OR alternatively get some of my money back given the circumstances. Again, not my concern for now.

My concern at the moment is explaining all this to dad. My Psych spoke to my mum today too so she is in the loop. I think he will understand, he wants what is best for me. It takes some adjustment and time. But this is life and how we live it.

THanks forumites. See you a bit later today

Edit: I heard today that one of my old tutees that i helped in 2017 is working and is at uni. Doing well and studying. I joked that we should meet up for coffee and then i can get a job at the same place lol. So today has had a silver lining. This was the student who nearly quit school. But I can only take as much credit for what they achieved. Most of it was them

7645 replies

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In response to: A new start (kind of)

Re: A new start (kind of)

It is @Zoe7
It can also be the hardest

In response to: Re: A new start (kind of)

Re: A new start (kind of)

Yes it can be buddy.

Sometimes it is hard to just be ourselves too because we don't know how to be @MDT

In response to: Re: A new start (kind of)

Re: A new start (kind of)

I'm okay I think 🤔 @Zoe7

In response to: Re: A new start (kind of)

Re: A new start (kind of)

Hey @MDT don't be hard on yourself, you've been working amazingly hard writing job applications and going to the gym every day. That is way more than I can do with my energy & concentration on a daily basis. I worked with a life coach once who said to replace "I should" with "i'd like to.." or "I choose to..." to make it a more positive and your own rather than something someone else is telling you to do. Easier said than done but a nice concept. I can understand not wanting to go out - I'm a big introvert & need lots of time alone - especially if it's not going to feel relaxing & take your mind off things. ANd it's so expensive, even a beer is like $13 now. Have you had some chill out time, do you have a car you can jump in & take off somewhere for a few hours? I like to take of to the bush & hike, I feel a bit weird doing it (hiking for hours) and when fatigue sets in my thoughts turn angry/negative but I feel great afterwards. Feels good & accomplished when i get home & even the next day. On the other hand I can understand if chilling out is not something your brain will do right now if you're stressed. Charity work next week sounds interesting.

hi @Zoe7 , yay I did my 15km hike yesterday. Made cookies today & am eating them quite quickly! I really hope you are having a well-deserved relax and rest this weekend after such a hard working week

hi @TAB hang in there, we're thinking of you.

I got back into job searching today, it was tough but got one application submitted. A rehashed one from last time I applied to the same organisation. Tomorrow is a social day for catching up with friends, hope I can be calm.

In response to: A new start (kind of)

Re: A new start (kind of)

@MDTpublic service applications are a job in themselves. Dense is a polite way of putting it; it's draining trying to sell yourself. Your perseverance is impressive mate! .Hope you're getting some good down time too.

In response to: A new start (kind of)

Re: A new start (kind of)

@MDT going out don't even cross my mind these days. I'm all about making it through the moment... going for the easiest distraction available... i avoid going out after dark or to early... because of obvious reasons... i keep my social network small-i maintain family relationships... i do my writing... and i enjoy my drink and food...

In response to: Re: A new start (kind of)

Re: A new start (kind of)

Glad you did your hike yesterday @BryanaCamp Yes I am relaxing today - was going to get stuck into the housework but too unmotivated. Not putting any pressure on myself though - have the washing on at least so that is something.

In response to: Re: A new start (kind of)

Re: A new start (kind of)

Hey @eudemonism @frog @BryanaCamp a nice little crowd here lol.

Yes I have had a restful afternoon. I went to the gym this morning after dropping my mum at the station early on. Had gym and brekky after with my mate. Then grocery shopping. My patience was thin because of the sleep deprivation but also because of the general sense off unease around my situation. But I got back and tried to dose for an hour but it was also meditative. I remembered a few things and also thought about how I can improve my attitude towards myself.
After this I got up and just played xbox for a bit. Watched an episode of Black mirror on netflix and Then read my book which I haven't done for ages. Reading Sherlock Holmes - Hound of the Baskervilles. Quite engaging actually. I miss reading.

My main objection for going out tonight was that the alcohol would effect me. Plus I haven't got much money. It would be a bad combo and I also think that I just need to chill a bit more. The past two weeks have been refreshing so I think this must continue. I also don't want to talk to new people because I have a sense of unease over who I am.

Anyways. Either take out or cookigg here tonight. Haven't decided which.

Hope your days have been good.

In response to: Re: A new start (kind of)

Re: A new start (kind of)

Hope you are enjoying your evening at home @MDT and everyone else! I need to read hard copy books too but my ruminations make it hard to concentrate/sustain interest sometimes. So have you got a helpful new way of viewing yourself you can share @MDT ?! I sometimes try to say to myself “I am enough” or “it is enough” but I don’t believe it! Here’s a pic from the trip to the sealife place (afterwards my 9 yo swam for ages in the surly surf patrolled by lifesavers). On that note, I’m not thrilled that again we’ll need to be woken at 5am for my 17yo to get to his lifesaving patrol & we need to return my 19yo with all his goods & chattels to study in the city. Crazily we need to return back to the beach to collect the 17yo so he can look after the two younger ones so my husband & I can get to my birthday afternoon tea. I know I’m very fortunate to have lovely family & friends but I really need to make my head an ok place because it seems to be my constant dwelling place. I will keep trying to mindfully live in the present moment even if it’s difficult/unpleasant. I’ll try to actively recall recent good moments/sensations & dwell on them. @MDT & @Zoe7 I also try to say to myself when worrying “right here, right now, things are fine. Anyone got an affirmation for dealing with the non-verbal/dying dementia resident?! Anyway as per Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’s “so long & thanks for all the fish”.....

In response to: Re: A new start (kind of)

Re: A new start (kind of)

It is not easy to turn on and off our brains @Sam3 We do tend to ruminate too much when all we feel is the depression. It makes those lighter or 'better' moments harder to hold onto also. It took me a long time and many med changes to begin to get to a place where I felt the deoression was not taking up my every waking (and non-waking) life. Doing DBT also helped. It is about finding what works for you too though I understand that is somewhere where you are also presently stuck.

You do have a wonderful family and they seem very supportive of you - sometimes that is a battle for many of us so that is something to be grateful for Hon. Hold onto those wonderful things in your life - it doesn't necessarily make it any easier but it also doesn't make it any worse.

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