What is your philosophy in life?

"Treat others as you would like to be treat"

Bunch of %"*(£&*% ok...

[keith_d]

Originally Posted by 600+

Time is a healer I know - the only issue is to give time to yourself.

That is where I'm struggling really. I want to get well now and be able to live life in full. Guess that is not going to happen that quickly so I need to settle in to this situation with a bit more ease

Emotions take time to settle down, and new friends don't appear overnight. I'm afraid it does take time.

That doesn't mean you should settle down and accept there's nothing you can do. The greatest builder of confidence is success, so start setting yourself some goals and assign some timescales to them. The simple rules are:

1) Be realistic about the goals you set
2) Choose some small goals, some medium goals, and some longer term aims
3) Keep track of your progress, for the medium goals set realistic milestones
4) Each time you hit a small goal tell someone about it and reward yourself
5) Each time you hit a small goal create a new slightly harder goal to achieve

Here's a few suggestions:

* get my 1 mile time below 6 minutes on the running machine by April
* cycle to work instead of taking the car two days a week
* learn to make Thai curry from scratch by next Wednesday
* replace my own chain and sprockets
* organise a rideout for the .org by Easter.
* learn to speak Spanish (first milestone, sign up for beginners class)
* find a new job before Christmas (first milestone, update CV by March 1)
* ride more than 5000 miles this year (first milestone, 1000 miles by Easter)

I'm sure you can find some more suitable goals for your life.

Keith_d the goals I've set to myself for the time being are;

* go to the gym at least 3 times a week
* be able to run continuasly for 10mins by April
* ride to Greece in the summer (first milestone was to get the bike ready which has been achieved, now need to get the money and book the tickets by end of April)
* learn to play the drums


I recognise I ned to build up on this list so that I have more to do

Originally Posted by 600+

I recognise I ned to build up on this list so that I have more to do

Why?

Yes, have goals and ambitions but also learn to simply enjoy your own company. There is nothing wrong with being on your own. You don't necessarily have to constantly be doing something.

[keith_d]

Originally Posted by 600+

Keith_d the goals I've set to myself for the time being are;

* go to the gym at least 3 times a week
* be able to run continuasly for 10mins by April
* ride to Greece in the summer (first milestone was to get the bike ready which has been achieved, now need to get the money and book the tickets by end of April)
* learn to play the drums


I recognise I ned to build up on this list so that I have more to do

Great choices, but you should add a couple of shorter term goals. It's great when you hit a long term goal, but some there are times when having something short term to focus on can keep you going better than a goal off in the distance somewhere.

But that might just be my preferences,

Keith.

Originally Posted by Woz

Why?

Yes, have goals and ambitions but also learn to simply enjoy your own company. There is nothing wrong with being on your own. You don't necessarily have to constantly be doing something.

Tell me about it! This is going to be the greatest learning for me out of this situation.

Originally Posted by keith_d

Great choices, but you should add a couple of shorter term goals. It's great when you hit a long term goal, but some there are times when having something short term to focus on can keep you going better than a goal off in the distance somewhere.

But that might just be my preferences,

Keith.

I totally agree and some short term goals are related to work but I'm waiting confirmation for those from the boss.

[the_lone_wolf]

M. Excuse the bluntness as I'm on the phone here, but my outlook on life is lifted straight from the shawshank redemption: "Get busy livin, or get busy dyin..."

I had a bit of a life changer in the last 18 months and if you want to talk about anything just get in touch either on here or on Facebook or whatever...

[Messie]

Originally Posted by 600+

I do recognise change needs time and it's only small steps.

I have taken up drumming which is something I always wanted to do....sayinng that I don't practice enough as I fear of being alone instead of being out with friends
I go to the gym to get fit again and healthier.
I have started building airfix models again which I used to do when I was back at school.
I go to church which I didn't used to only to meet people and be with people.
I've joined a members club to meet other people my age and do charity work.

The only thing stopping me is my depressed mood and my impatience to get well which then leads to loosing hope as it seems that I am not getting better fast enough.

You are clearly doing so many of the right things, and really making the effort to improve your situation. Therefore the final sentence you have written is very important - all these right things and it's still not happening (happiness, that is). So, at the risk of upsetting some people on here, I'd like to know if you are receiving medical help as well. You say you were diagnosed with clinical depression, which seems to suggest you are. If the social and behavioural changes are working I'd like to strongly suggest you look into medication if you're not taking it already - or may be a reassessment if you are.
I know many people disagree with medication but there are times when it really is the answer. You wouldn't dream of leaving a gaping wound or broken bone or overly high blood pressure without medical intervention; sometimes the brain should be treated as just another physical part of the body that we can treat.

Messie

I have been on SSRI and a couple more which made a massive difference at the outset but lately they have less of an impact. I'm seeing the consultant on Wednesday afternoon about a review of current meds.

[Messie]

Ah good, thank you for telling us. There are different SSRI's and different doses, so a review is a very good idea. Tell the consultant exactly what you've been telling us on here.

As an extra, I also think you are improving a bit, simply because you feel you aren't. You can see a bit more clearly how things could be, which I'm guessing you couldn't some months ago.
It may be a long walk, but you will reach where you want to be in the end. XXX