how do you know

[Sawdust23]

how do you know if you have anything to live for

[Artistfriend]

You have yourself and that's enough

[Agora1]

Sawdust23, whenever in doubt, use your 5 senses

SIGHT...look around you, see the beauty in life surrounding you.

SMELL...the aroma of a flower or favorite food cooking

HEARING...listen to the birds chirping happily, or be in the moment of silence

TASTE....something you enjoy eating. take in and savor the taste w/satisfaction

TOUCH...something cold, then hot, then soft and comforting

Each one of our senses transmit information to our brain to help us comprehend

and interpret the world around us.

Focusing on all the good things around you and not your

troubles, may give you what you are looking for and that is a REASON to live xx

[fauxartist]

I think when someone is deep in depression, it's hard to see any joy in anything. And you do have to do a reality check and find those things you do have in your life. Sometimes they are seemingly simply things like a roof over your head, food in your belly, that kind of thing, because when you don't have them...you realize what your missing. But when we have the basic needs met, sometimes we forget to appreciate those things, and we sink into the abyss. Sometimes we can ride it out till it subsides, but if this persists day after day and never gets better, you should get some help for sure.

[Midori]

At 75, any day I wake up is a bonus! I have been through the mill with a husband who was a vicious drunk, Fortunately now gone to a hot place....

I was left to bring up 2 children on my own, far away from family and friends, and unable to move back to a more expensive area to be near family. The kids kept me going, just, and now they are grown up. My daughter is married and I am a granny to a teen! My son, now in his 30's, is my carer as I have Fibromyalgia and CPTSD, and am starting to get arthritis. Walking is difficult, but it's too hilly for a wheelchair! So I use a walker. I also wear teeshirts with cheeky sayings on them. Today's one says 'I really tried to behave, but there were too many other options.' If folks get a laugh out of them it lifts me too! It also gets folks chatting with me.

The CPTSD is reasonably under control, except near explosions or large fires. The Fibro is less painful, but more exhausting. I have moved as far as I could from my marital home, to the West coast of Wales, so there is little or nothing to remind me of the past. (Unless the oil refinery catches fire of course!)

My son and I get on pretty well, although we both have our snappy times. Unfortunately, he is showing signs of diabetes (inherited from his father) So we are trying to cope with changing his diet to accommodate that.

In my experience, everyone has something to live for, even if they can't see it right now. Unfortunately, all the medications and therapist appointments in the world cannot help unless you change your way of thinking about life, the universe and all the rest of it. The meds and therapists are there to help you to see your own way forward, and support you until you can say 'I've got this!'

Good luck on your journey to find your real self.

Cheers, Midori