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Managing Lifelong Mental Health as a Senior
Mental Health | Last Active: Oct 23, 2023 | Replies (499)Comment receiving replies
I believe mental illness is like other diseases, we just have to keep trying. I stay on a rollercoaster ..... not only daily, but off and on during the day. Sometimes it would be wonderful to just stay on the couch and give up. It takes a lot of energy to cope. This is why I try to get outside at some point during the day. Being among people helps me to put my best self forward because I know this is what they want to see. The feelings we have when down are hard to explain. Sometimes when out, I simply walk through a department store, feeling totally alone and still not caring. Do you find yourself wanting to try to explain your feelings? I pull out all the things that have deeply hurt and poke at them to see if they still bleed. I don't blame anyone for things that have happened, I just can't totally trust. I sometimes need someone who could love me unconditionally, but maybe more than this, someone who could find what they need in me. Does this make sense?
Replies to "I believe mental illness is like other diseases, we just have to keep trying. I stay..."
Liz223, yes, what you said makes sense to me. I have realized that I just can't retire and do nothing. I have to be needed in some way. Right now my stepdaughter, with whom we live rent - free, asked me to help with the last of renovations to a rental she just bought. I really enjoy having a "job" to go to each day. I am making a contribution to life on the planet. By the way, the little house is turning out great. I like feeling needed. I think we all do in actuality. Just being loved is wonderful, but knowing that you make a contribution in someone's life is the icing on the cake. 😀 Gail
@gailb Thanks, Gail. Yes we all need a "little icing" on the cake of life. Thanks for sharing yours with us. Teresa
yes it does make sense.I bet there are plenty of people that would love what they found in you. You sound like a loving caring person just the right one hasn't found you yet or you have found him. I don't iive in a town infact the closest is about 25 miles from here. I live in a National Forest. There are a few people around but not many, I use to walk each morning but lately haven't even been doing that. I know that would be good for me but just can't be bothered. Its really a shame was this anxiousness and depression can do to ones personality. I do try to stay on the positive side but always find myself in the "funk" again in a short time. I use to do a lot of crafting.....door wreaths, arrangements etc but have lost all interest in that also. Everyone has made very positive remarks on my work but you have to be in the mood to "create" certain things and I am certainly not at that point.
MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH TO GET THROUGH ANOTHER DAY
I live in a neighborhood and most have lived here as long as I have. We have all stores and
restaurants within less than half a mile. Yet each one sits in their house alone. It is a family member that
comes to visit if you are fortunate to have family that take the time to come. It is a shame, this is not the
world my parents grew up in and they were out in a rural setting in the country. It is truly a different world.
I live in the country, 6 miles from town. The quiet and solitude calm my spirit. I cherish the solitude, though I things that put me in the middle of the public. Visiting Hospice patients has been good therapy for me. It helps me get out of myself for a few hours, and give the gift of my presence. I play the piano and lead worship at our church on Sunday evenings, and I know that's helpful to me, knowing that I've made the worship experience a good, uplifting one. I sometimes tell my wife I just want to quit, but she always reminds me how much it means to all those people. We go to church on Sunday mornings just because we want to and we are always welcomed and encouraged. So, getting out of the house and reaching out to other people is part of my therapy. Yes, I'd rather stay home in bed lots of days, but I feel that it's part of the human experience and commitment - not to isolate, but to be part of a healing community.
And I've said a lot and am going to bed early. I didn't sleep well last night.
I hope I haven't offended anyone by expressing my thoughts kind of frankly. I don't have much opportunity to do that.
Before my eyes close completely and refuse to open back up, a demain.
Jim
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@liz223 Well stated, thanks! Teresa