finding hope and joy

[Dormus01]

Not really sure what I’m posting about today but felt like getting things off my chest .

I saw a web md quote today :

"Women struggling with infertility have the same levels of anxiety and depression as women diagnosed with cancer and HIV”

It’s no wonder we are all finding this incredibly hard.

I’ve been dealing with other hard things alongside infertility (estrangement from parents, therapy for cptsd, near break up of my relationship with partner, stress at work, buying a house) . I honestly don’t know how I’ve dealt with it all.

Lately I’ve found myself crying a lot, my therapist says it’s not necessarily a bad thing - something has certainly shifted.

I’ve also really sat with how financially reliant I am in my partner (the near break up shone a bright light on this) and that changing jobs and going back to full time work might be a good idea. I like a lot about my current job, but in truth the chaotic nature of the organisation and lack of infrastructure has made it really hard to work there.

Ive felt very isolated too, not wanting to see anyone - partly because I’ve been too tired, but also felt the need to put on an act of being ok .

I’ve recently found some joy in cooking again, and gentle exercise - walks, swimming, yoga.

Right now I’m just trying to find hope again, after so much heaviness.

If anyone feels like sharing tips for finding joy and hope after grief and loss I’d be most grateful . This whole journey has at times felt so dark, and I’d like to find some light at the end of the tunnel, whatever that looks like .

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Getting things off your chest is a great idea - have you thought keeping a journal about how you feel day to day ? Maybe treat yourself to a new cookery book or attend a cookery course as this seems to be enjoyable to you at the moment Also look to see if there is .a walking group near you - with Spring near ideal time for walks [ see the buds on the trees and the spring flowers ]

Thinking of you

Janet-Partner

[neonpg]

Hiya, I'm so sorry. It's hard enough going through a fertility journey even without all that other stuff piled on top.

I'm currently in a similar position to you, trying to find some hope and sense of self. I've been in treatment on and off for nearly 2 years now and in that time it feels like so much of my life has been put on hold. It's so easy to lose your sense of self and put aside the things that once brought you joy.

I'm taking a break to prepare for my last ever IVF cycle in the summer, and the things that have helped me recentre are:

*Taking up resistance training again and setting myself little strength goals to smash

*Refocusing on nutrition and nourishing foods

*Reading books that aren't 'it starts with the egg'

*Creative writing

*Working on crafts

*Reconnecting with friends

*Making a list of all the things I want to pursue if these baby-making shenanigans don't work out.

Good luck!

[Keggles36]

Sending love your way.

Cold water swimming is the one for me - it makes me feel so much better when everything is awful.

Maybe starting in may when it's warmer though if you've not done it before!