Importance of focusing on Positive with Depression & Anxiety.

@stsopoci You certainly "hit the nail on the head" with your words. We are each unique, finding what works best for us at a given time. And I always need to remind myself that what helps today, may not have helped last week, or may not work next week. That is where the shared experiences come into play, we get to hear from others what has worked for them. We get new ideas, or learn something we were not sure will be helpful, was for someone else.

@brandysparks Be gentle on yourself! It's hard to be hard on yourself all the time. I've been there, and got the T-shirt! The frozen in place, hoping it will all blow over without me doing anything approach didn't do anything, either! I had to make myself get out of my own way, focus on the end result desired, and start plodding that direction. Daily perseverance. And when we get a little relief, we want more.
Ginger

Staying positive while on vacation. Just ending my 15 day trip to Eastern Europe up the Danube and amazing cities of That area.
I get tired after a long day of site seeing and tend to just want to sit in my room on the boat or hotel and read a book. I can tell when I lose interest in everything and try to be friendly and act like I’m really enjoying everything but I’m Not! I’m with younger loved ones that just have more energy.. I guess I have to try to focus on taking care of myself and not ignoring my age. It’s not easy heading toward 80’s and hitting the road. I think I’m getting the age where I’m going to walk the beach for 2 weeks somewhere and sit and read a book for most of the day between meals and sleep.

@stsopoci Ah, the memories of this trip, spending time with loved ones, seeing things through their eyes. Exhausting but rewarding! Taking time for yourself and replenishing your energy is important.

Did you keep any kind of a travel journal? What is your favorite memory of the trip?
Ginger

I’m not good at journals because being in IT for more than 30 years I learned to look forward to changes and not look back. It keeps my moments forward looking and not criticizing the past. As a jazz musician and teacher I still live always in the future of a chord change and how I can improvise around it.

I like the musical analogy. Took music theory in HS. You're right, the notes can only move in certain ways. Music definitely conveys emotion. Even dissonance can be appealing. Not sure if I'm relating to what you're saying. You gave me food for thought.

Beautiful analogy, it works, right? 😊
I am curious about your jazz, can you tell me more?

Thank you everyone for all your input on our many kinds and forms of depression. Or we can call it the blobs As I do when my husband asks what’s wrong. I have had depression issues since I was 16, and I am now on the down side of the 70s. I am on medication. But I just get these periods where I don’t care and if I was to pass away, fine. Then I wouldn’t have all these worries. My adult children have problems and it seems never ending. Thank the Lord I have a understanding husband when I go though these down times. Well, thanks for listening, guess I just needed to say something as I so appreciate this connection.

That is exactly what I am feeling. Here I am at 75 when I had hoped to be enjoying my last few years, but instead I am dealing with daily anxiety/panic and depression. I guess the upside is that death doesn't seem so bad anymore.

I understand where you are coming from. I am 76. But you have to think what that would do to your family and friends. Grandchildren if you have any and your church family, assuming you have a church. That is where I get a lot of my strength. God bless you.

Going back & rereading this segment of our discussion, I'm reminded of how when I DO try, once again making the inexorable effort YET ONCE AGAIN, the feeling of accomplishment dissolves into the ether, and even the memory of the good feeling isn't enough to make it any easier, any smoother or any different from t h e last time....the parable & vision of Sysepheus pushing the interminably burdensome boulder up the mountain, only to have it roll back down - & often flatten you as it returns to its starting position, if not further behind than the last time.....Grrrr! And Arrrrgggh!