More bad days than good days these past few months

[Anonymous]

There are a host of understandable reasons: politics, weather, custody issues, work injury, irregular work schedule, no A/C at gym in this heat, home water heater problems, and roommate life issues (i.e. car, health). All this led to some depression and drinking more than normal some days. I'm not stressed about money, but I should be. I have PTSD from domestic violence, so I feel like it takes more effort when it all piles on like this.

Most of yesterday and the start of today have been good days. Productive, good mood, eating well. Just hoping I can keep this up. Looking for some commiseration/encouragement.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been in a funk too, OP. Politics and weather and health issues are all part of it for me as well.

[Anonymous]

Sorry op. Make a list of things on your phone that you could do to bring you even a small spark of joy.

Spend time outside (go for early morning walks if you can) and make it a point to look at the trees, the cloud, the sky even if it’s gray. Connect with nature.

Reach out to a sympathetic friend.

Do some grounding/breathing exercises.

Bake some cookies. Find a recipe for a mocktail that sounds good and replace one of your alcoholic drinks with the mocktail.

Find a new ice cream place and invite someone to join you.

[Anonymous]

Your gym does not have a/c and you have roommates?! Custody issues?!! I can't even imagine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry op. Make a list of things on your phone that you could do to bring you even a small spark of joy.

Spend time outside (go for early morning walks if you can) and make it a point to look at the trees, the cloud, the sky even if it’s gray. Connect with nature.

Reach out to a sympathetic friend.

Do some grounding/breathing exercises.

Bake some cookies. Find a recipe for a mocktail that sounds good and replace one of your alcoholic drinks with the mocktail.

Find a new ice cream place and invite someone to join you.

I would not turn to sweet treats and unhealthy eating to cope. Can you find an online therapist to talk to? I try and have something in the future to look forward to. Even something small. My cousin is coming for the weekend. I bought a used book I was looking forward to reading. I'm dog sitting my friends puppy. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Gym with no AC? Don’t use the gym- there’s one off your list

Why does having a roommate impact your car and health issues? Do you HAVE to have a roommate and is that also affecting your custody arrangement?

You cannot control the weather.

Did you file for workers comp?

Yes politics are a lot. Limit your exposure for a while.

[Anonymous]

Politics and weather are 2 things you cannot control. Don’t waste any mental energy trying to use your mind in an attempt to bend them to your will and liking.

Soon it will be Autumn, soon another election will take place; both will change from what they are now.

I know you want to take your umbrella and jam it into the gut of your roommate good and hard, hearing the shrieks and watching blood spout like a fountain.

Be thankful you are not married to this roommate and live in a hot, stinky gym. Your life could be worse. Be thankful to God for the life that you have.

[Anonymous]

It’s Trump. He’s affecting everything negatively.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Politics and weather are 2 things you cannot control. Don’t waste any mental energy trying to use your mind in an attempt to bend them to your will and liking.

Soon it will be Autumn, soon another election will take place; both will change from what they are now.

I know you want to take your umbrella and jam it into the gut of your roommate good and hard, hearing the shrieks and watching blood spout like a fountain.

Be thankful you are not married to this roommate and live in a hot, stinky gym. Your life could be worse. Be thankful to God for the life that you have.

Of course politics is something we can all influence. That’s kinda the main basis of our government.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you are juggling a lot of things. Try writing them down. I went through 2 rounds of writing down all the balls I was juggling. There are patterns, the same things crop up. At least then you can anticipate what things you chronically have to deal with, which ones you can ignore, which ones you get off your plate, etc. If you don't write it down, it can be overwhelming carrying all that in your head.

[Anonymous]

Me too OP and I can't even think about celebrating America right now. I've totally lost faith in people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s Trump. He’s affecting everything negatively.

Yep and reading about stuff like the alligator jail in Florida. So depressing.

[Anonymous]

Life has its unique ebbs + flows and no one is shielded from this fact.

Glad things are looking up thus far OP! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[Anonymous]

Turn off CNN

[Anonymous]

Sorry OP, my advice as a mom of a baby trying to claw my way back to myself, I've found it helpful to pick one habit and commit to doing it every day for 2 weeks. When I want to skip it, I look at how many days I have showed up for myself and it feels good.

I use the app "streaks" but there are free ones too or you can do a paper grid with check marks. One of my previous ones was to limit my news consumption to 5 minutes per day - just to skim the headlines and be informed, but not doom scroll.

Hope things improve for you soon.