Helping my friend has made me feel great. I want to get out the house every day but finding a reason can be hard. I really want to do more.

[jimboble]

I spent all day helping a friend paint their new home. I felt quite anxious this morning whilst still in bed I think I have mild agoraphobia I also live alone. But as soon as I got out the house I started to feel better. I haven't worked full time in a traditional job for many years due to physical and mental illness but today made me realise work can be rewarding especially when helping friends. I have been questioning if NOT working is at all good for me at the moment so I am going to try my best to help as many people as possible with things that will improve their lives. A person I didn't know came to help paint too. This made me quite nervous but it turned out we had things in common and I really enjoyed talking to them. I definitely realise pushing yourself to do things can make you feel better especially the things that make you anxious. This is the second thing I've done in a week, I was feeling anxious about and both have made me feel better about myself. I still feel overwhelmed about getting into work but I think I may enjoy a job if I could do one. I'm very tempted to start looking for work. I would like to know if anyone else here is long term sick and has gone back into work. I have heard their are charities that can help people out I'd prefer this to the cold face of the dreaded job centre. All that aside helping my friend today made me feel great I am so pleased the painting I did today will always be there while my friend enjoys their new home. All I'm worried about now is what I'm going to do with the rest of my life I am 35 and need a daily routine I have made daily routines for myself in the past but I was always on my own doing things I want to do things with people and know that I will be able to do it every day for a long time. Arrggh overwhelmed but feeling good.

[Hidden]

That sound like a very positive step, well done you !

The gap between not working and working is a large one with our condition,

I do hope you find some bridge towards work, as I agree it can be very rewarding in itself for us.

I was given some leaflets on voluntary work, which looks interesting as a stepping stone towards work from the dreaded job centre.

Helping a friend, or someone in need for me reaps rewards too.

Great post

wishing you well

B

xxx

[knowles8586]

Well done bet you feel good about yourself

[sasays]

Well done, be proud of the progress and insight your making. Have you consifered volunteer work? It doenst have to involve humans if you dont want it to, you could do gardening, or work with animals. Why not look up your local volunteer centre and see what positions they have available maybe? Or perhaps do some classes at the gym with a friend? It so much easier and therefore more forfilling to take tiny steps than big ones. Keep going, youre doing great x