Tests & Homework

Ok, this one’s tough.
I’m almost thirty, lost 15 years of my life to mental illness. I have an opportunity to create a life I would be happy with, but I can’t seem to make myself complete the steps needed to achieve said success. How do you complete your goals???

Roland answered:

Each of us has a light of sanity that we can follow. A feeling comes when we are doing something detrimental, and also a feeling comes when we are doing something positive. If you stop and learn to just feel quiet for a few seconds, take a breath and close your eyes you can allow your thoughts to separate out, so that what is confusion, a mess of different feelings, can become a more calm sensation. You need this space if you are going to work out what it is you want from your life. So however you get that clarity, you need to it to separate what is truly going to fulfil you, from what you just feel you should do. take one day at a time, but think of the things that make you happy. Is it working with nature, gardening, hard sums or socialising. Whatever you enjoy the most is a great place to start. I’m not talking about things that neccesarily make you madly excited, but things where you feel calm centred and fulfilled doing them. It could be you just like to travel or get out and about, and there are jobs that get you outdoors. One small bit at a time is the way to go. Have a shower. Get dressed. Tidy up. Sit down and breathe. go for a walk. Do all the positive normal physical things that build routine and it will give your mind some chance of switching off enough that you can think in a clearer way. Make yourself do the small things and that will make the big things that much easier to think about, because you have built a stable base and stopped yourself thinking in circles. Roland

KellyBaby88 answered:

OMG I totally feel you. Sometimes I complete steps, only to lose momentum and end up stuck in the house again. I think having a good social support group is important, but hard for most of us, right?
The isolation only contributes to my inability to move forward. It also affects my self confidence as confidence affects my ability to step out of isolation into the real world.
But for me the social interactions need to come in moderate and consistent doses otherwise I become overwhelmed (I do need some time to myself). The balance is hard to find as well is finding people who understand who we are and why we are that way. It is difficult to find that connection with others.

zaza answered:

Hi will be kind a rude here but hink that you are not quite well treated if you cannot get motivation then you still need to be treated so please go back and get the motivation that you lack or has been lost in the process.

Snowflake answered:

I don’t think you’ve ‘lost’ 15 years to mental illness. It may have been a burden in that time, but i’m sure you gained a lot from that experience also.
You would have a deeper understanding (and empathy) of mental illness that could help others going through the same thing.

Do you know exactly what it is you want to achieve? write it down – get it out of your head and onto paper so you have a visual of your ideas (it also makes it easier to focus on)
If this is something you really want, and like you said, will give you the opportunity to create a happier life, if you want it bad enough – you can achieve it.
It might take some time and patience, but cross off each step one at a time, and you can get there.

If you can visualise the end result and the happiness it will bring, hold onto that thought – it can be a good motivatior to get you through those steps. Or even have a picture that represents that feeling or that goal, and tape it up on the wall for inspiration and focus.

Sometimes the journey towards the goal is as awesome as the end result.

Best of luck to you.

IthilienDude answered:

Wow, that is a noodle baker.
I know that same said apathy, lethargy almost, a lack of any kind of motivation whatsoever. I’ve struggled with mental illness too, and I know at times it is so damned hard to fight against the evil little “Where’s the point?” demons.
I found having a friend to help me, or just to vent at, works sometimes. Other times, a therapist or counsellor. Other times, God.
But, as for the steps needed to achieve said success, I always remember something my brother says: “It’s just like eating an elephant: one small bite at a time”…
Hope I helped! x

Help me out?
http://helpme.com/questions/16780-p-i-met-a-guy-at-my-best-friend-megan-8217-s-birth

edit answered:

PLEASE PLEASE answer my question! How do you find the motivation?!