Not me

[Lindsey14]

Each day i feel less and less like myself, i feel like a stranger to myself

[CazO46]

Hi Lindsey14, I know exactly what you mean. I became ill last December and my life changed completely. As a result I 'lost' my old self and now to try and accept the new me with new limitations. I'm hoping with patience and some self love I can begin to connect with myself again . My best wishes to you X

[Lindsey14 in reply to CazO46]

Thank you so much

[mdowning81]

Lindsey, I also struggle with this, I think what you are describing is something that lots of people with anxiety/depression go through and lots of people have made it through it, so we can too. Depression has a weird way of making us forget who we are and stop doing the things we once loved. One thing I did that helped was come up with a list of 10 fun things I wanted to do that I hadn't since this episode started and started making myself do them. By doing the things we once enjoyed we will start regaining the identity we once had, at least that's the load of crap i fed myself and it has helped! Some of the things on my list just to give you an idea

1. Go hiking in nature, I always loved this but stopped for some reason.

2. Read a fiction book, I enjoy reading but was caught in a cycle of only reading books about anxiety and depression.

3. Cook my family a real dinner.

4. Go to dinner with friends

5. Rent and watch Black Panther, for some reason I had been to the rental store multiple times but didn't think I was ready to watch this movie?

6. Go see the new Avengers movie

7. Take my daughters on a picnic

8. Start and finish a model car

9. Play board games with my family

10. Go to work every day for a week straight. I know this one doesn't seem like fun but I used to really enjoy going to work.

I have made it through all the items except finishing the model and getting ready to make another list!

[Lindsey14 in reply to mdowning81]

Thank you for this!😊

[mdowning81 in reply to Lindsey14]

Dont mention it, that is what these forums should be for, a place where we can be open about our struggles but also a place where we can share ideas that have helped that might help others