How can I be happy? How can I enjoy life?

[TormentedAndTortured]

I try to be happy, I try to enjoy life, and it just doesn't work. Life for me is just one disaster, one struggle, one bout of misery to the next. The longer it goes on, the worse it gets. What do you say to someone like me? What would I say to someone like me ? "Keep trying"? "Give up"? I don't know. I just feel like I can take it any more.. then I go on.. then I feel like I can't take it any more.. etc ad nauseum

[kenster1]

just keep trying always remember in the tough times that good times might just be around the corner if we keep at it.

[TormentedAndTortured in reply to kenster1]

Thank you, I do that, I keep trying, it just seems that the longer I go on, the harder it gets..the good times aren't that great and the bad times pile up after a while and just get worse. I'm very cynical although I don't want to be. That's part of my problem. The happiness feels more and more, superficial, and the bad times cut deeper and deeper

[ACE135]

I found practising gratitude really helps me avoid feeling depressed. I mean, I go right to the basics like 'I'm very grateful to have a roof over my head to protect me from the wind, snow and rain', 'I really appreciate my hot water bottle keeping me warm', 'I love my bed as it allows me to sleep well and recover from the day' etc. I really try to forgive myself for past mistakes that have led me to where I am now and I try to stay present and not think about the future - I tell myself not to worry about the future as I might die tomorrow, lol. What things do you like doing?

[TormentedAndTortured in reply to ACE135]

That is a good approach. My problem though is that I am constantly messing things up - forgetting things, spilling things, knocking things over, breaking things. I am clumsy, awkward, and stupid when it comes to remembering things. I try, but I repeatedly get the message that a) life sucks, and b) I am an idiot. I'm constantly making dumb careless mistakes, amd even if I can't blame myself completely, I feel that life steps in and does it for me. I can be grateful until the next imminent screw up, and it all goes out the window. Someone else tried to help me with positive affirmations for negative self talk, which helps how I feel until something happens, namely the next disaster. I feel like living life in this modern world is not something I can handle, that it is beyond my capabilities, like I am a monkey trying to fit in with humans, or something.

[ACE135 in reply to TormentedAndTortured]

Perhaps looking into taking certain supplements may help with balance and memory loss. It will require some research, but Nutrition Geeks provide great supplements that have improved my quality of life with exhaustion, brain fog, mood and hairloss.

It takes practice to implement positive self-talk and I feel like I'm in a loop sometimes with repeating certain things to myself but some positive sentences are coming to me automatically now - even if it's temporary, at least it gives you a break from the constant negativity swirling around in your mind.

I understand about not feeling like you fit in with the world as it currently is. The world has changed so much and a lot of it not for the better. Just remind yourself you are doing the best you can. Praying to the universe for support may help. Meditating, yoga and colouring often help me feel calmer and physically stronger.

[CrowBoy]

I cut myself down, too, for lots of things, always judging and usually found guilty! I laugh at myself when I can, and it always lightens things. It’s hard to give yourself permission to do that, though. Is there anything you like doing? It doesn’t matter how well you do it! And I agree with the person who brought up gratitude. If you look you can always find something to be thankful for, and that always brings a good feeling. I’m not making light of your situation- it sounds like you’re in a serious bummer. I hope you find something that helps.