Looking for Self Acceptance and Peace

[serenity56]

Hi, I'm new to this board. I'm a 56 year old woman who has lived with mild depression since I was a teenager. I have bouts of severe depression mixed in with chronic mild depression. As I've gotten older, I've become anxious as well. I'm able to function in terms of holding down a job but everything in my life feels like such an effort. What I wouldn't give for a day, or an hour or a moment where everything felt right, or easy or something other than sad, stressful or difficult. I've always felt so alone (and lonely) so I'm hoping to connect with others who feel similarly.

[Agora1]

Hi serenity56 and Welcome to this support group. We all have felt and feel alone and lonely. It's a terrible feeling. This wonderful, caring group of men and women will hopefully make a change in how you feel. We share our daily struggles but also our successes however few they may be. Knowing that there are people out there like ourselves makes it more bearable in getting through the day.

Looking forward to seeing you chatting with the group as you feel more comfortable. We'll be here waiting to welcome you with open arms, open hearts and listening ears. xx

[Strongheartforever]

You’ll find friends here who can relate. We welcome you and embrace you. You’ve been wrong all along, like so many of us are, about being alone and being the odd one out. It’s by our own actions or lack of that we isolate and find solace in solitude but it can be a slippery slope. Your title says it all: self acceptance and peace. There’s a middle ground between solitude and abundance and it takes a while to get it right. Hope you’re feeling closer.

[fauxartist]

welcome serenity56.....there are a lot of women here in your age group, me for one, but the community itself is all a great group of people from all ages, and walks of life who all have the same thing in common...we just want to feel better and have a somewhat happier life learning to live with this disease.....glad your here sharing.

[gilip]

Hi there welcome to the forum, it’s a home from home!! I am 63 so a bit older but not wiser!! I have suffered from depression for last 13 years since my marriage of 25 yrs fell apart. The first 4 yrs was worst but has been good until a year ago when I had a major burnout!! I haven’t worked for a year!! But pray every day for more light and joy!!! Loneliness is the worst, to be in a room with 30 others and I feel so disconnected!! Uninterested in the very things that bought me such happiness!!! Love and blessings to you

[hypercat54]

Hi nice to meet you. I could have written your post as my life has been the same as yours. Have you heard of the term double depression? This describes me to a tee and you have put it in a nutshell.

Due to this I have never been able to hold down a successful intimate relationship nor have children, and yes it does get lonely. I console myself with at least I have been able to have a life as this was in doubt in my youth,

I hope you find some answers. x

[Korsa]

You made the right choice joining this community. I am a 68 yr old recently retired lady who has also been dealing with acute anxiety and bouts of depression. Being able to write about it and express yourself without being judged is comforting. It’s a good first step.

Keep posting. Hope to read more about you. Be well

[lynella]

Hi! Im 56 and going through the same. I can really relate. x

[Simplyme]

Wow, I'm 56 also and pretty new to this sight! It sucks so many of us are dealing with this, but so awesome to find other people that are even around the same age who understand how it really feels! Loneliness is so hard! It's a catch 22, I don't feel like doing anything or even talking to people a lot of the time, so I don't, which leads to loneliness. Vicious circle. I'm really glad I found this group and I'm so glad you did too, now your not so alone!!

[Simplyme in reply to Simplyme]

Wish I would remember to proofread before I post.

[Cathy63]

Welcome. I'm a year younger than you, and I can relate to everything you said. I love your user name. The Serenity Prayer was my father's favorite prayer, and I always think of him when I see the word. I'm in a work situation that's making me so unhappy, it's been deepening my depression. It's also putting my physical health at risk. I have a job interview tomorrow for a job that would be ideal for me. I know I'll always be battling depression, but I know this job will lift me if I get it.

[Agora1 in reply to Cathy63]

Cathy63, The Serenity Prayer is one of my favorites in reinforcing what I can and cannot do in my life. Good Luck tomorrow with your job interview. Hope it goes well. xx

[Cathy63 in reply to Agora1]

Thanks. I hope it went well. They will be choosing 2 people for a 2nd interview. I'll know Friday if I'm one of them. I've been reading and watching inspirational stuff and am feeling more positive than I have in the past. I'm thankful to be getting interviews. A long period of time went by when I wasn't.

[Agora1 in reply to Cathy63]

Here's to Friday Cathy63....Good Luck xx

[BogartTilly]

Hi serenity56

I can relate to what you are feeling

I am 64 years old and feel very lonely

All my friends are in different states and have their own lives to live

This is a great platform so keep communicating

It is reassuring to know that there are people that can totally understand what you are going through.

[Fluffy44]

Really so glad I’m not alone in this crazy darkness of anxiety. If only it would just go away for all of us..... life would be bearable!!! Love my Jesus. Don’t know what I would do without Him to comfort me..

Linda

[momonthego2019]

I have defintely had my share of times of feeling alone and lonely and there are times I enjoy being alone but I never enjoy feeling lonely. What helps me get through those days where I feel lonely (which are less frequent than in times past) is reciting the serenity prayer. The most popular part of the prayer is:

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

There is another part of the prayer and this is the part that I really try to focus on just as much as the first part:

Living one day at a time;

enjoying one moment at a time;

accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

that I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

forever in the next.

Amen.

I hope this prayer can bring you comfort as it has me. I love people, I love hanging out with family and having fun but most of the time now, I enjoy the quiet times I have alone.

[Lazy_dog_lover]

Glad you are here. Find one little positive a day.

[CatLady031]

You are not alone in the way you feel. I've always felt alone as well. I am always the strong one. The person people come to for help, support, and advice. But, when I need someone to talk to....no one is there or they don't have the time to hear me. They cut me off when I talk. So, I just give up trying to express myself and feelings. I just keep everything inside until it becomes too much to handle...and then I break down, have a good cry, and force myself to keep going. Not a good way to handle life but it gets me through. I go through the motions of life. I function at work because I am someone different while working. At work, I consider myself to be an actor, so to speak. I act like everything is okay and I have no problems. But, at home, that's when the feelings hit and I realize I am alone. I don't have any close friends because, well...people suck and will only hurt you in the end. Life is safer alone.....but it isn't better. I never let others know how I feel....how I truly feel. But, this place seems like a good start.