Story of my life!

[oldtimer159]

Whenever I am depressed, i do something. I find something to get better like exercise, meditation, or something or the other. But it doesn't last.

No method of recovery lasts forever. Many times its like 2 days and then I'm back to depression again.

I just don't now what to do. I've exhausted all options like exercise, meditation, positive thinking, grind, don't give up attitude, talk out the feelings with friends, dopamine detox, Nofap, make a schedule, to do list and everything you can find on the Internet.

I feel out of options now. The inconsistencies of these treatments is really demotivating me and pulling me down further.

Right now I'm talking stuff out but I would love to have some suggestions or discussion about feeling this way, like really inconsistent with everything. Is it related to depression?

[Blueruth]

Do you set a goal to do it everyday (or something like that) and then lose motivation when you lose energy? Meditation is about letting feelings flow and then letting go. The same practice could be used for those days you sink. If you are sinking you are also rising. It is fine to pick it up again because part of developing a practice is going back to it. Someday it will be a regular part of your schedule.

[oldtimer159 in reply to Blueruth]

Yes it happens. I set goals and lose motivation and energy to do it some time later. I hope that falling down and getting up becomes a regular part of my schedule but whenever I fall down, there's a part of me that breaks and it becomes more difficult to recover.

[Blueruth in reply to oldtimer159]

It isn’t falling down. That is a self defeating thought. It is about what you need right now. So if you cannot “get to the mat” as we say in yoga ask yourself what you need more. Maybe it is a nap that will be more beneficial. Maybe it is work. Sometimes forcing yourself to the mat is just what you need. Just like in meditation you can learn to ask that question automatically. It won’t be automatic at first. What do you need? Right now. Today you needed to reach out 😌

[Hidden]

This is the same with me as well. This will work today and tomorrow it doesn't. I guese we have got to just keep doing it and managing it. It seems u are doing a lot for depression which is impressive, just hold on.

[NYtoFLA]

I think you have probably noticed, you arent alone. Several others have replied and noted that they are in the same boat. Nothing seems to be a permanent solution. I am new here, have not been able to tolerate any of the meds and like you, meditation, distractions, goals...only work briefly. It sounds like you are really trying and that's good. Perhaps you can increase your activities with a hobby or other task to give you something to look forward to. I always feel better when I have a purpose but with Covid, many options have been taken away from us, so I understand that it is more difficult to stay positive and well. Just reading other peoples posts is helping me because I feel like less of a failure at controlling my anxiety. I hope you find some solace in the posts of others. Put some thought into what else you can do to distract you. I still find exercise helpful. Nothing is a cure-all. But dont stop trying different things each day to try to keep you positive.