YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

And being aware-

Many days my head hurts.

Most days, my heart hurts....

SD

Take care, snoringdog

It's not easy being green

I know the feeling SD

Thank you for sharing, SD. Well said.

The world is a heartbreaking place. People treat each other so badly. Bad things happen to good people. Good things happen to bad people. I try my best and fail. I sometimes don't even feel like I belong on this planet.

What he said...

And I've run the gamut-

Once in awhile a bit suicidal (no real plans, but....)

Despondent - What's the use of it all?

Listless - not sure what to do with myself..

Determined - Fuck it! I'm part of a bigger story, and I want to see this thing through...

SD

Thanks for sharing.

As far as suicidal ideation: you know you have many people who want to listen to you, including everyone here.

Be sure to come to us, or another trusted friend or 211 if this happens again. And it may, for any of us!

More generally: Keep posting!

Hold on to that determination, it’s a very truthful thing. Remember that your feelings are real, but they aren’t true. You are worth something, you are a part of something bigger and greater than you can imagine. You are important even when you feel like crap. Even when you do crap that doesn’t matter, or when you do nothing.

Thank you Oak & Onmyway.

Overall, I have a lot to be thankful for. But it's this big-fat-beautiful-brain that gets in the way. If I were an insensate beast it would be a whole lot easier to live this life... wish I didn't have to think & feel....

So here's a snapshot of a couple of things recently -

1. Found out that my brother is probably heading toward a divorce. Had an extended phone call with him the other day. It was good to connect, but...

2. Just found out via email notification that a work friend "is no longer with the company" he was working for.... Just met with him at a mutual customer's job site last week to discuss steps toward the completion of an installation. Had a nice day & afternoon lunch with him, and now Boom, gone. Left him a voicemail & text, but no response yet.

3. An advocate for monarch butterflies in Mexico was murdered to make way for illegal logging it appears - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-51304857. I want to strangle people with my bare hands.

Welcome to my small corner of the world...
Damn.

SD

SD, remember to take a break and take care of yourself. Sometimes all we can do is nourish ourself so we can get back out there.
The link below warmed my heart. People coming together. (I had school mates who would encourage each other with "add oil" during hard times)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqXfnN76S-I

Take care,
Heather