I’m having a hard time finding something to look forward to each day

@triciaann99 This may sound weird, but I enjoy watching "true crime" videos on YouTube. Part of it is gratitude for being sober now and not going to jail. Another piece is motivation for wanting to get the word out that people with alcoholism and drug addiction do things when under the influence they would NEVER do when sober. The criminal justice system needs an overhaul. I go to a jail (through my graduate internship) and help lead an anger management class. I was shocked to learn that this jail (a county in middle Tennessee) has no social worker or therapist on site AT ALL! These folks, although, broke the law, are not animals. I would say 90% of them need help, some kind of counseling or therapy and yet there is no one on staff for that. I find that disgusting and reprehensible. Anyway, did not mean to go on a soap box. I also, am fascinated with the human mind. I have always wondered about the "nature vs. nurture" argument. It is my belief that people are not born serial murderers, etc. I think they may have a biological propensity due to genetics, but I believe it is more how they were raised and the family of origin stuff. Most of it seems to go back to childhood trauma. Anyway, again, did not mean to be so long winded, but wanted to share some thing that I do, find interesting and can lose myself in when feeling like crap. Hang in there. Just for today!

@SusanEllen66 Those are beautiful!!!

@equanimous thank you I will make it a point to go on a walk. I need to do that for my mental and physical health. I appreciate your reply. Best to you.

@daveshaw Everyone on this site that suffers from depression should see the movie “Road to Nowhere “
Depression is nothing to be ashamed of. Some of the greatest men and women suffered from it and did great things in spite of it. Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Simone Biles, Bruce Springsteen and I could go on and on.
We should count our blessings that we have SSRI’s that those people didn’t have that allow us to live normal lives.
I get so sick of people downplaying these drugs and trying to wean themselves off them. Just be grateful they are now available and find one or the right combination that makes your life good. They will only get better just like the stigma of mental health will continue to go away as brave people like Bruce Springsteen allow their stories to be told.
Rather than be ashamed embrace your depression and it will enable you to be a better human being.
Especially in this toxic environment we live in now.
Good luck to everyone.

@triciaann99 You can see that so many of us deal with anxiety, and depression and lack of "want to" everyday. What remedy works for one might not be practical or appealing to someone else. Trying different things will help you narrow down what you feel is the best way to approach all of this, for you.

I'm glad to see all the ways we have to look at our lives, and to want to make it better. Don't you agree that is the first step? What will you do today to move forward and feel better about yourself?
Ginger

Perhaps, trying to take “you” and your feelings out of the equation for even just a day. Focus on the individuals who have larger issues in their life. Parent of children with handicaps that are overwhelming. Children who before they can walk are diagnosed with cancer. People who who have been in accidents and lost their sight or limbs. Think of the tragedies of life for others instead of dwelling on “self”, for a day. And, if you know God, raise them up in prayer. Daily life can feel like a nightmare, for them. There is all kinds of pain in this world. Instead of focusing on self, perhaps choose a few individuals to bless. Send a card. Pay a visit to lonely people in the nursing home. Buy so children’s books and donate them to the hospital to give to some children who are patient. Donate some time to the hospital to get people around, in wheelchairs. There a zillions of small things you can do for others..that will not only light up ther faces, but lighten your heart, as well.

Does anyone have very severe Sensorimotor Axonal Polyneuropathy ? It is very rare disease.

@island59 thank you for your reply. This makes sense to me. I am in way too much in my head all the time helping out those in need well obviously help them but intern it will help me practicing a little bit more gratitude grand turn make me see the bigger picture of life thank you. 🙏

I am not a strong proponent of anti-depressants, however, I do believe when one suffers from depression one does not even have the mental energy to do anything! So with that said, sometimes a small dose of an anti-depressant, ie Zoloft (because you can half the 25 mg tablet very easily) it will what I call "lift the clouds" and allow you that energy to just try one thing and hopefully move on from there! I. too, think bedtime is the best.....you can go to sleep and not have to worry, think etc. But that certainly is not healthy. Hopefully you have a Primary physician who is on board with this and will give it a try. It's better than doing nothing!

@tisme
I don't read the comments every day, but today yours stopped me and I felt connected.
Age might be a factor, physicality might be a contributor, friends or a lack of friends can be in the picture. With every person. age, health, bla, bla, bla, there are often similar circumstances. We try to find a new idea, or a path to try to keep our mood up, which adds to good health, or so they say. Seven months ago, I felt pretty good. It was just the beginning of MANY health problems. The biggest and the one that hit me hard, is a really bad headache of which there is no cause or cure for me. I have "come of age" as well, hit 90. This is an age that I found out that is pretty much ignored by the Doctors and and is an "Oh dear" another one of those. I hope we can reach out to one another with a few ideas, like this communication!