Hello all!
I’ve dealt with anxiety and depression most of my adult life. Now that I’m retired I find myself struggling again. I feel like I don’t have a purpose to my life, which only makes the anxiety and depression worse. I’m lookin for a community of people who understand the way I feel. Basically I’m looking for support and understanding!
Thanks for listening!
Dear ZonaGirl, you are at the right place. HU definitely will listen to you and support you mentally.
Thank you!
Yes, what Chris said. Please take your time to settle in and discuss what you want to discuss. I think you'll find a very engaged audience.
ZonaGirl
Welcome to the community.
Congratulations on your retirement. This is a huge transition period in your life.
I bet it's not uncommon to feel lost, not having a purpose.
It's time to start your new chapter. Maybe once you settle o to a routine and find some hobbies or volunteer work things will get better.
🐬
Thanks! I’ve actually been retired for four years. I do have some volunteer activities in place and I’m working a fun part-time job at a Pet Resort. My husband is still working, so I still have alone time on my hands. That’s when the anxiety and depression attack! It seems like I do okay when I’m active, but getting myself out of the house and to the activities can be a struggle. Somehow I make it 99% of the time. I just feel so alone in the anxiety and depression. It’s a relief to find this support tool.
You are in a good group here. Lots of support and suggestions and just a listening ear. I also have depression and anxiety and it got worse when I stopped working. I have no purpose in life and now that my depression and anxiety are so bad, there is no way I could ever hold down a job. I have no children or siblings and no family nearby. Just me and my husband who is fed up with my mental illness. He tolerates me but I don't think he's happy about it. I'm lonely. Waiting for the end to come.
I’m so sorry for your situation! My family doesn’t understand my anxiety or depression either. I think it’s hard for someone who’s never experienced it to understand. I had to retire because of it. I couldn’t handle work. It’s not as bad now, but it’s still a day to day struggle. Do you have a therapist? Has this group provided any relief for you? Sending hugs your way! 🤗
This group has been a great help. Lots of good ideas and book suggestions and understanding people. I have been with my therapist for 14 months and she told me last week I need to find a new therapist because her practice is closing down in June. She didn't give me details but she's either retiring or moving, I'm guessing. I also had to find a new psychiatrist and I meet him tomorrow for medication management. Do you have a therapist?
Hi, I am new here, trying to find my way around.
Your story is like mine. Plus, after a lifetime of no health issues, I am having to submit to some doctors' visits which cause more anxiety and depression. I have trust and control issues and don't like entering the medical model. On top of all that, I am having insomnia but I am in a program that I believe in for that.
My family really doesn't understand either and I feel I no longer have much value because of the depression and anxiety and insomnia, followed by overwhelming exhaustion. I have always been very creative with hobbies and cannot make myself find even one activity I am willing to do. The closest thing is that I have started studying Spanish again in short bursts and enjoying that ok.
happy ritierment ,i would like to support you.
Thank you!
Thank you! I really need help with my relationship with God. I have been a strong believer at times during my life, but I lately I feel like he has abandoned me. I don’t really pray to him. I got a new book about finding God’s live and I’m really hoping it helps!
I have the same challenge. I am very spiritual. I believe in God, but I can't relate to the Bible very much. I get more good from accounts of near death experiences who seem to report that God is love and we are all loved and more powerful than we can realize while in the physical existence.
You should watch The Chosen shows. It's free and it based on the Bible but not a documentary. It helps understand what it may have been like back in Jesus's day.
Hi blue and sad! How are you doing? I’m really struggling with the depression this morning. Trying to get myself moving.
Hi, I’m Mary. Your story sounds like mine. I have suffered from depression and anxiety for most of my adult. I retired from work 5 years ago and I have lost all purpose for my life. I’m in a very dysfunctional marriage (husband is also retired), my two children are adults and I’m not in good health with two autoimmune diseases and the need for multiple surgeries in the future. I’m on 3 different antidepressants/anxiety meds and see a therapist weekly. I don’t participate very much on this website but I do find it helpful. I hope you do, too.
Thank you. Our situations are similar in a few ways. I’m on two antidepressants and currently on two anti anxiety meds. I also see a therapist and participate in weekly horse therapy. The horses really bring light to my world. I’m sorry you are struggling with your health. That has to be hard. I’m really hoping to find some support from people who can relate what I live with. Thank you so much for sharing with me. I’m hear if you need a listening ear.
Thank you for your encouragement. I'm also here if you need to post.
Welcome to the community. Hopefully you will find help here.
Your purpose in life is now to get this illness under control and then help others just like you and me.
I look forward to the challenge. I struggle in believing that I can get my illness under control. Seems like I’ve dealt with it for so long. Maybe the support combined with the other tools I’m putting in place will help! I’m trying to stay positive, especially in the way I treat myself.
Hello ZonaGirl. I am close to retirement myself. I have been asking around and people tell me that doing volunteer work and giving back to the community can help give you a purpose. I plan on finding a way to do that when I retire.
The volunteering is absolutely key! I spend several days a week volunteering at an equestrian center for people with disabilities. I also participate in horse therapy there. In addition to that I volunteer at a hospital. These activities are some of the only things keeping me sane. I also got a fun part time job at a pet resort! I love animals, they bring me so much joy. I try to stay busy to keep my mind from talking too much.
Hello. Welcome. Similiar story. I went to college while working FT to make something better of myself and break the family cycle of trauma. I worked so hard to get degree. I had a breakdown at 38 - I suffer from depression, but didn't see a breakdown coming. I ended up in the hospital. I had to move to a different state in order to live with my mom and her husband and of course thinking my mom loved me that she would be there for me. I had so much hope.I started to volunteer, thinking all will be OK. I met my husband there too. I worked at the easiest jobs possible, but when the stress came on, I couldn't deal with it and I'd quit. I never quit anything in my life - but quit the two jobs I had. My mom and my step-dad didn't help, but made things worse, which added to the stress. I finally had to cut my mom off and I know I'll never see her again - she is 80 today. I haven't been able to work. My husband is so mad at me. It is the mad that is really toxic and erratic and also abusive, per my therapist. I sit here with zero purpose and I am 52. I know I can't go on like this and can't wait to go home.. add PTSD and an autoimmune disease to all that. So, I get it. I really do. I am sorry you are going through this.
Thanks for welcoming me and sharing your story. Thank you for understanding! I wish you to find some peace and joy in your life. It sounds like quite a struggle for you. I hope you have found some support here.
Thank you. I’m actually reading a new book about finding Gods love. I’m hoping it will help spark my faith again!
Thank you. I read his book The Purpose Driven Life.
I really like this and find it quite helpful. How do I bookmark it so I can keep referring to it?
You can access the whole teaching series on The Invisible War at this link: pastorrick.com/series/the-i...
I read Rick Warren's daily devo and I also listened to each of those podcasts on the Invisible War. Hit home for me. I feel totally under attack and I feel like God isn't hearing me.
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