Just want to say hello

[Shutterbug65]

I’m sorry I don’t respond to many post, but I do read many of them. It’s just that my mind seems to draw a blank when I’m trying to think of something to say. Like now 🤔

I suffer from depression and anxiety like all of you and I don’t want to feel alone anymore. I currently take medication for both.

So I just want to say hi. And how are you doing today? Whatever you do please try to stay cool. I live in NJ and the next few days are gonna be unbearably Hot 🥵

Well time for to get moving and head to work.

Take care of yourself everyone.

Don.

[Hidden]

Hi Don..... You know me I always have a lot to say! We have the heat here also along with the loverly humidity .... been sweating like a thief in front of a judge, 3 showers a day.... gees. It also sucks the energy out of me....don't like that one, ha!

May you have a beautiful day!

Dump trucks filled with peace, light, joy and groovy hugs for you!!!

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah me to. This humidity is the worst part. My ac at home has been working overtime. And I know Lisa you like to talk. You been a good friend, thanks.

[Hidden in reply to Shutterbug65]

Yes Don my ac has been doing overtime also...wonder what the electric bill will be like, ha! May you have a beautiful day my friend...

Dump trucks of love, peace, light, joy and groovy hugs for you!!!

[Coralrose5]

I’m the same way. I read posts but I get overwhelmed with what to say.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Coralrose5]

That’s the way I get. I read the post and I read many articulate, thoughtful and intelligent comments, and I simply don’t know what to say. Other than "I understand what your going through". It feels empty.

[onthetrail]

Hi Don.

Everybody has different gifts (and fears). I can write for pages, but put me in a roomful of strangers and I'll have nothing to say for an hour, while wishing I was somewhere else! I admire the courage of anybody who steps out of their comfort zone -- whether it's facing the blank page, or a bunch of strangers at a party.

The weather has been incredible here. Reasonable temps, mostly sunshine with just enough rain. I'm laid up with an injury so can't get out and enjoy it as I would like, but it's good for the soul just to sit outside for a spell.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to onthetrail]

Hi, thank you for your reply. I hope you get well soon, and it’s good you can get outside. Where do you live? It’s okay you can be vague. It’s been awful here in NJ, it may hit a 100 today that’s way out of the norm. But starting tomorrow it should begin to get more reasonable.

I have a hard time stepping out of my comfort zone. That’s probably why I’m alone most of the time. But I just don’t know what to say to people. I get nervous and so self conscious. My negative thoughts kept me from achieving a lot of things in life. And now I spend a lot of time worrying about my future and what will become of me.

Well I think I said enough. I hope whenever you are you have a beautiful day. Thanks again for your message.

[onthetrail in reply to Shutterbug65]

Thanks. I'm in the west, after living in the east for many years. I don't miss the heat and humidity, but do miss the fall colors.

There are a lot of us who are nervous and self conscious around others. It can go along with being introverted, which isn't a bad thing. Or maybe it's just shyness. It helps me sometimes to take an interest in others, and ask them questions. Almost everybody is happy to talk about themselves! The next level is to tell some interesting stories from your own life. That's not so easy -- I'm still working on it.

The future is unknown, but we have some input into how it turns out. Hope you get some cooler temps, and thanks for your kind message!

[Nom-D-Ploom]

I know what you mean. I often feel incapable of giving any advice. It is unbearably hot in Michigan this week. It's hard to breathe with the high humidity.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Nom-D-Ploom]

I know it’s the same here in NJ. It’s so unbearable outside, hopefully today is the last day of this miserable weather. But I’m sure there are some people who like it.

I’m not good at giving advice. I’ve noticed so many people give such wonderful and positive advice. This is really a great site for those of us who struggle with anxiety and depression. I try to read many of the posts, if anything it makes me feel less alone.

I hope the weather out there is better. Usually the weather you have we get a day or two later. Take care of yourself.

[Kainan]

I have the same issue. Sometimes I feel I’m purposely censoring myself so that I don’t say something wrong. In fact, there’s been long stretches of time when I wouldn’t say a word to anyone.

But I feel the more we open up bit by bit the easier it’ll feel and the more present we’ll be in social situations.

The next two days will be sweltering hot here in Boston

[Hidden]

Im the same. Sometimes I feel inspired to reply to a post but more often I find myself speechless. Thanks for sharing. I am in Missouri, looks to be a little cooler here today. So thankful for ac.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hoski. I’m the same way, just finding the right words doesn’t come easy for me. I can understand what many people are going through with anxiety and depression, but it’s difficult for me to say something that will sound supportive. And it’s hard to give advice if I don’t have the answer. But so many people in here certainly have the gift to help others and I’m thankful for that because I certainly need help. So maybe simply being able to understand, and being empathetic is enough. I don’t know.

[Hidden in reply to Shutterbug65]

I think so. Your post was encouraging to me. My anxiety/ depression wants me to think “ Lou, you dont care as much as you should or you would be responding more”. I know that is not true. Im not the only one here who feels speechless... there are at least 2 of us, lol. Im a retired nurse. I spent 45 yr advising people on how to improve their condition, and/ or helping them die peacefully. I feel spent sometimes. Then other times my light bulb flickers on and I feel I have something to offer, so I do.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Hidden]

Being a nurse is such a rewarding and challenging career. Just think of all the lives you changed by just listening and offering a encouraging word, or just being there for someone when there scared and feeling alone. I always believed nurses are at the front lines of healthcare.

I often feel the same way as you, like I don’t have anything to offer, or nobody will listen to me. But then there are moments when I do feel good about myself. But I always think the worst is gonna happen, I need to be more positive. It’s not easy but I’m tired of living life full of anxiety.

Hope you have a great day Lou.

[Hidden in reply to Shutterbug65]

Thankyou!

[TheHound]

Hi Don! Hang in there. The last two weeks were full of full blown panic attacks for me. Not sure why. I didn’t want to feel alone anymore either. So I came here. This year I have had a baby and a second pulmonary embolism. I’m terrified of everything and I have been to the ED 3 times for panic attacks in the last year. I felt so alone.

[Shutterbug65]

Thank you. I’m tired of hanging on. I’m sorry to here about your pulmonary embolism; my god I can understand you having panic attacks. I hope you are doing better. Loneliness is a tuff thing to overcome so I understand all about being alone. I’m just so tired of fighting. I can easily see my life getting worse as I get older and have no one to help me when I need it.

That’s just one of the things I worry about.

Anyway thank you again for your response. Please pm me anytime. And I hope physically you are doing better. And congratulations on your baby, I hope he or she is healthy.