massive overwhelming change

Thanks for sharing @Alleebelly12 . It sounds like a lot to contend with.

What brings you joy in life? 

Please know you are not alone.

Hey @Alleebelly12 ,

Firstly, welcome to the Forums, I'm glad you reached out.

What you've described sounds incredibly heavy to have carried for so long. You have been coping in the best way you knew how, and self-criticism can be so draining. I really hear the exhaustion in what you wrote - wanting peace and that inner critic to quieten down.

I am wondering if you are connected with a GP, psychologist or other support service at the moment? You don't have to go through this alone, healing takes time, and it's okay if it isn't linear💓
~ @Honeymoon 

Welcome @Alleebelly12 I suffer from major depression and complex PTDS and get constantly overwhelmed. You have joined a great forum full of caring and supportive members. I often post quotes that can sometimes help you with ideas of how to overcome being overwhelmed etc

Do you have support from a therapist of some sort. I see a Social Worker who has helped me through tasks that usually overwhelm me. If it wasn't for her help, I would still be a mess and not coping with anything.

Do you have any interest or hobbies? We have different spaces where we discuss different topics, so if we know some of your interests or hobbies, we can direct you to the discussion space and meet up with more people.

I am interest in coin collection and I own a cat, so there is a space for coin discussions where I let people know what coins are going to be released or I just show fellow coin enthusiasts what recent coin purchases I have made etc. We also have a space for cat lovers where we can share photos of our furry friends. I will tag in a few people who can hopefully help some discussions form.

@AlwaysMyself @avant-garde @Blackcloud @Bow @Bunniekins @Chasingsunsets @Cuddlebear @Dimity @DownMoreThanUp @Emelia8 @ENKELI @Faith-and-Hope @GezzaP @Glisten @Harmonium @heartathome @Jacques @Judi9877 @Kashmina @lonemushroom @Meowmy @NightFury @Oaktree @PeppyPatti @rav3n @REDLINEZ750 @RiverSeal @Rosepetal96 @Ru-bee @Shaz51 @SmilingGecko @Snowie @Sophia1 @StuF @TAB @tyme

I am an animal lover and have several pets and also great people in my life. I am experimenting with some crafts or things i can do of an evening so im not dissaociating with a packet of crisps and beer watching rubbish telly!

That's awesome! Do you have any pets? @Alleebelly12 

You can visit https://saneforums.org/t5/Social-space/The-Sane-Cattery-Because-normal-is-overrated/td-p/1611864 This is the Forums Cattery!

You can also visit EVERYTHING DOGS 

I might even tag @MissGremlin who's just celebrated her dog's 1st birthday!

great idea @Alleebelly12 - I fully acknowledge those barriers, but it's great to hear you are being proactive and looking online💛

Have you had a look at the Australian Psychological Society (APS) ? It may help assist you in finding a suitable practitioner in your area: Directory of psychologists 

Hi @Alleebelly12 and a big welcome to the Same forums. 😊

I too suffer from PTSD and can relate to all you have said so far. I also have a love of animals. I have a little dog Hannah, who is my best mate. In fact I have been training her to be my PTSD Assistance Dog thru MindDog and she passed her PAT last week. So she is now fully accredited. She comes everywhere with me, which is such a comfort. Otherwise I would probably lock myself up at home and rarely emerge in public. 

Hannah gets me out and about. Even if it's just an hour long walk each day. She is an energetic little girl.

I also try my hand at art, a bit of drawing, watercolour, oils. But not very good. I like to do diamond painting, which is a good distraction.

I'm glad you found your way here and really hope you find the forum's helpful. 💕

Hello @Alleebelly12 and welcome to the forums. I do somatic therapies that work with the body as well as energy techniques apart from maintaining the physical health of my body.

It seems as if you want to go into retreat to enjoy some convalescing to find your center again. I would say listen to what your body is telling you and honor it. I've had a long road to recovery and have been very unwell. I am in a better space in my life now. The somatic therapies seemed to shift a lot of toxic energy in my case.

You made reference to your inner critic. I would encourage you to take note every time your inner critic criticizes you and learn to speak and hold yourself in a more loving and compassionate way. People are very surprised at how much they actually berate themselves at first. I even heard someone who was presenting this as a course say they were able to heal themselves just by holding themselves more lovingly.  I would encourage you to be flexible with yourself and not have rigid definitions of what you should or shouldnt be doing

Anyway welcome to this space. Your healing journey is uniquely yours but this is what worked for me. I hope you benefit from what is on offer here from our community