I like to read & have always loved reading books quotes, following blogs highlighting mental issues or ways to pursue happiness.
One of the ones that is simple but I struggle with, is simply to stop doing the things that make you hate myself. Everyday I try to do better but I fail often than not.
I think a great idea is to outline 3 goals & write it on post-it notes to remind you every day where you want to go in your life.
It's also helpful to relieve the pressure on oneself by reminding myself I can just have a "day", instead of a "great day".
To go for good enough, instead of perfection (a state that doesn't exist anyway). And it's great for people prone to perfectionism. I great way to punish yourself, is by constantly reaching for something no one can obtain.
I also allow myself, "slack days" when my depression or anxiety strikes. Allowing yourself to have a day to do nothing, you lessen the guilt you have for having depression or anxiety.
I of course use gratitude & feel guilty but I look back to history where the most terrible things to ever take place happened. I've read two books on the survivors of the holocaust & it's such a wakeup call. Sometimes it's a mental slap across the face, because when all is said & done I have so many things to appreciate....my freedom is just one of them.
Not everyone leaves when you're sad. I can relate though, lost a lot of people when I stopped being ashamed of depression & just told people.
I feel very Depressed
Mental Health during Social Conflict - Who Can We Turn Too?
So tired of being strong 
If You're Contemplating Suicide, Please Read This
Mental health team assesment
Happiness..for me is "doing me" n not caring what others think,n getting rid of the negative worthless people that come into my life.U get one life,so why have all the negativity in it.Find those worth creating the happiness with.My biggest happiness is my dog,music n humor.
Definitely cut out toxic people, even if you love them. Finally did it to my brother, gambler with mood swings. One moment he treats you nice, the next like sh*t. Love music, couldn't live without it.
Why would you want to do anyone else but you...if you follow the crowd, you'll never discover how great you can be!
Ahhh someone who thinks like me,wahoo.Too much energy expended on people not worth it.Some may think its mean..I think Im being smart.
Music is everything to me..and gets me out of my mind and body when I need it.
I love music. If music didn't exist, I wouldn't exercise, drive, clean my unit or leave my house. Ps. Love the picture of the hippo 😁
Ditto..thanks..who cant resist a baby hippo n then in a baby pool...too freakin cute
I know right?!!?Love baby panda's, hugging the legs of the people who work in the nursery or just watching all those small bundles of black & white sleeping in their cots. Would LOVE to work in a panda nursery. Would go nuts!!!! Lol
Sign me up to work at any zoo..See,this is what happiness is..
I know so simple right? Lol. It would make me sad to see animals caged though, even though the cages are large & pretty. Designed to look like their natural habitat & thus freedom. I don't like zoo's & hate the circus....if there still around??? I can understand the advantages they can represent in some ways to the animals (zoo's I mean) but mostly I prefer my animals free & not domesticated in any way. But then again if I could tame a lion & a wolf, I would own them both...well actually live to serve them.
Hello Loststars,How are you today,you sound good.I also feel far more alive than yesterday.although my lows arent as bad as some ,my heart goes out to them----I love quotes and reading ,mainly fact.and self-help books .love Classic FM(radio)---- loads of classical hits that I can put as loud as I like------hoping to hear from you and anyone else that wants to chat....UK
Hello goldieoldie,So awesome to hear that your feeling a bit better. Books are great...to lose oneself in another world. How can one resist? I use to read a lot of self help books, first just learning about what GAD and what Depression was. Then I tackled books that was more centred on how to be happy. Nowadays I hardly read either kinds. Since I've read sooo many. Plus if you continually define yourself as that, focus solely on that....well you miss out on life. Like the quote goes..."we're so busy looking at the tree, we miss the forest"...which to me means the other simple joys of life. We are more than our problems, conditions or disorders.
There is no problem we cannot overcome.
Hello ,I have suffered most of my life with Anxiety,,,,,,and had it not been that I developed extreme sressas New Gp practise reduced my 30 yrs almost 5mg diazapam---------about 2 yrs now=====I would never have found HEALTHUNLOCKED-----IM almost 75 years and have spent most of my life alone for various reasons,als DrClaire Weeks is my saviour for understanding as she puts it ,nervous illness,no other-none all the other self-help books were years simple joys in my life are good conversation,and classical music that I used to listen to many years ago ,but are available on tv radio====Yes,I am far more than my conditions,PDisorder I have a sense of humour and can empathise ,and emotional intelligence......and I have missed out on life and hanging by a thread,for want of a better expression!
I feel you...we all hang on to a thread. I do it everyday but for some reason, when my darkness envelopes me...I taught myself to fight anyway. For reasons I can't remember, when depression makes my mind foggy & I can no longer remember why I'm fighting. I put one foot in front of another, breathe in & out and keep going. I never remember why I fight in those times....when my general anxiety makes me as frightened as a child in the darkness, alone. Sometimes you just have to find reasons to smile. As Ricky Gervais said.."Relax, you only have one life & there's no sequal" Love that man lol.
Hello, Im so glad you understood and responded--- I do realise that you are struggling too and its no easy task as you say ,depression can overpower the best of us and we are thankful for one day that is a bit better than the next...I started off great yesterday and noticed that I was getting less and less ,and my mood changed by evening,I just want you to know that its good that you want to draw/paint again but afraid--is'nt it strange how we put off the things that we once enjoyed---I hate myself for being so lighthearted and gradually ,it peters out,and we still carry on ----there are so many things I want to do today,some shopping ..........as the weather is not too bad,and its brighter -almost midday ...yes I enjoy singing and listening to both classical light music ,and 60s70s and 80s as well among other things ,,,,I cant draw,brothers can -----Another story,I hope your day will be good ,almost midday here in UK,take care.
Hello goldieoldie,It is funny. We slowly let all the things that brought us joy, just wither away. Then we wonder why we no longer feel happy. Fear is a great liar, whispering our failures, questioning our ability & self worth. Life is for the strong & sometimes I question if I'm strong enough for this world. But that's usually a sign that I'm trying to live in the future & not bask in the gift of the present moment. Focus on now. That's the name of a documentary a actor who died of cancer. I only watched glimpses, it broke my heart & I know in all honesty it would trigger a spiral of suicidal thoughts for me. Depression would pull me under again & I would drown. But I know in a way he was documenting his struggle & ultimate death to help other realise the importance of "living in the moment" you have...right now. Meditation is training how to focus on the second in front of you & if your lucky the next.
I'm depressed today, self-inflicted, holding on to the old me, doing things that use to please me but no longer does. I did it to please others (typical people pleaser pattern)...now I'm suffering & feeling down.
It will pass & tomorrow I will feel better. I know what I have to do. I have to learn to disappoint others for my mental health. It's well worth learning this important lessen to manage my GAD & depression.
"To thine self be true" Can't believe how important that quote really is.
Hope u have a good day