So tired of feeling like this

I really relate to this. Doing small tasks in short bursts actually makes a difference. It’s not about being perfect, just about doing something. Glad you found what works for you.

I agree with this and one thing that helps my mood is keeping the house really clean. I do it in short bursts. E.g, waiting for the kettle to boil I will throw in a load of laundry and clean the sink. I use the bathroom and just clean the toilet while I'm in there.

When it's all done and fresh I like to light a candle for a little ambience.

It gives me a focus and distraction, and makes me feel a bit better to be surrounded with cleanliness. I do know however this is subjective and that in some other people with low mood that would be the last thing they want to do

You don’t need motivation you need tiny steps.
Don’t aim big. Just sit up. Put your feet on the floor. Open a window. One small action at a time.
And keep pushing for proper support long-term depression often needs specialist care.

If you haven't got a NatWest account there switch offer looks good as no direct debits.
I would go for a select account if you don't want to use it as your main account (rather than the reward one which has a monthly fee of £2pm)

You need to be able to pay in £1,250 within 60 days but no reason you can't take this straight back out again.

If you don't have any savings I think you would still qualify if you pay in a smaller amount, take it back out and pay it in again. However, I would try not to do this too much and vary the amounts in case it flags up something! If you are worried you could call NatWest first to check.

E.g £400 in, £400 out, £350 in, £350 out, £300 in, £300 out, £200 in, £200 out
£400 + £350 + £300 + £200 =£1,250.
Do it within 60 days to meet criteria.
It's the same money going back and forth so if you don't have £1,250 you can still meet criteria as it doesn't need to be one chunk.

Other than that you just need to set up and log into online banking. Worth it for £150

Sometimes there is a rule about having two direct debits to transfer yes.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-best-bank-accounts/#natwestswitch

This article is quite good to see the current offers available.

For example my set up: Main current account with a bank (say Natwest) that my pay/pension goes into and direct debits come out of

Step 1: ask to open a second current account with the same bank (usually very quick as you are already a customer and will be the same online bank log in etc)

Step 2: Move two direct debits to the new account - you can either contact the person the direct debits is with or ask the bank to move them. Will take effect from the next due date (often the 1st). In my experience this is quick still.

Step 3: Make sure new account has enough money for the two direct debits and let them come out once.

Step 4: Apply for new account and offer up the second account you recently set up to be switched. Make sure you read rules and terms carefully so you aren't missing anything like transferring a certain amount etc.

Step 5: In a few months time once you've had your bonus you can now repeat the process and open another new account if there's any good offers available.

Remember when they ask you to top up a certain amount there's no reason you can't transfer in and back out again normally.

Its a bit of work if you don't want to close your main current account to get the set up but tbh it just means it takes a little bit longer.

I don't want to come off the meds. I want to quit the opiates I'm taking. With my meds I was taking them every second night for a week there to try to reduce side effects of weight gain and my throat closing up when I'm eating making me choke.

Depression drains you. Start with one tiny step, like sitting up or washing your face. Use the 5-minute rule and just begin for a few minutes. Small steps build momentum, and you’re already doing the right thing by getting help.

Also for those struggling with money have you done all the bank current account switching offers? They often bring out new ones so worth googling again.

You don't have to move your current account you can open up a second current account with your main bank very easily and use that one to switch.

Hi all,

Sorry to read how low many of you are feeling. I used to feel like that too but thankfully eventually came out the other side.

For what it's worth none of it's easy when you feel bad. I've been there and know how impossible it can be to get out of bed. These are the things that have helped me.

You've probably tried CBT and may not have found it helpful (I didn't either) but learning to recognise your thoughts is powerful. Even if you can just stick a label on it when it comes e.g 'bad thought' or make up a fun nickname for them like 'Myrtle'. Imagining my thoughts like well trodden paths all running down the same route to the black pit. It is so hard to try and force them the other way and think 'I don't want to think that today'. Try and see it as rebelling against yourself. It became almost like an addiction for me ruminating over bad memories and things I've lost. Turning away from that was so so hard but it's just practice.

Get outside if you can. Going for a walk is so good for you, especially this time of year when the days are short. Putting a podcast or music on can help take your mind away. If you can't walk easily just sitting outside for a little bit if it's not (too horrendously rainy). Even better if you can exercise outside.

Getting a dog is life changing - I know so many people in my area now of all different generations. I would never have spoken to them without the pooch. If you can't have one but like pets consider if you could do Rover or Borrow my doggy (also a money making opportunity there!)

Being around people helps to wake me up. Even if you just go and sit in a library or somewhere like that and read a book for a bit or play on your phone at least it's a change of scene.

Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube. She has a 'yoga' for everything. You could type in 'yoga for bad days' or 'yoga for back pain' and there will be something similar. She's upbeat and funny but chilled and makes me feel happy. They are mostly 20 minutes and lots of them are very gentle and you won't need equipment. If you don't like Adrienne try and find a meditation or someone more your cup of tea!

Eat well - make sure you are eating meals and veggies. Kefir yogurt ! The gut brain link is huge so fermented foods or yogurt can genuinely help. Especially if you've been on antibiotics or similar before and might have blitzed your good bacteria.

Sleeping well- one I find very hard as an insomniac but so important. Make sure you aren't drinking caffeine late or watch when you take medications if they mess with your sleep.

Try to ring people not text. I'm terrible at this but hearing others voices is such a boost.

Be wary of social media. Pay attention to how you feel when you are on it. Is it making you feel shit? If it is - have a break. Even if it's deleting the app so you have to manually log in. It can help to loosen the habit.

Try and find something mindful that isn't on a screen. Like a puzzle, reading, knitting, colouring - whatever works for you.

Dont give up finding that cure / medication to help. For me sertraline was a huge help once I got past the initial side effects. Don't be afraid to go back through the ones you've tried if you think you might not have been consistent or given up quickly. If you are suffering or in chronic pain keep advocating for yourself and pushing the NHS. Stay on at them.

Appreciate all that might feel a lot but hopefully a couple of suggestions in there. Most of all be kind to yourself and know that sometimes just getting out of bed is the hardest thing in the world.

xx

I actually think it’s ok to accept that this world is not right for all of us. I realised I only live for others, not for me and I’ve decided to move on. I think that’s an ok decision to make.

Hi @NewUserName1000, why are you trying to come off your meds when you say they work? It sounds like self-sabotage (I’ve done that myself and it only makes everything worse)

Hi. I've been seriously mentally ill since I was 13. Sad really. Right now I'm just thinking about how I don't want to die one day. I sort of feel like, I'm in this strange confusing world that I can't grasp the basic rules of. I have obsessive compulsive disorder and intrusive thoughts. I haven't worked since 2019. Just when covid hit, I developed schizophrenia. On meds, they work. But I tried to cut down. Then I freaked out last night really bad. I'm still trying to calm down. I feel really weird right now.
Everything feels weird atm. It feels weird to me that I am talking to strangers on the internet. That it's a weird thing to do. But it helps. I just don't feel normal. My goal is to get off the drugs I'm addicted to and get a job. I'm losing the plot I think. Just a sense of surreality.

The only advice I could give you is to clean all the time. That helps me. I just get up every day because I have to feed my cats.

Thanks - never tried that one actually. Glad it’s working for you 💕

Sure. I’m on 20mg Citalopram x

@Fodencat do you mind saying what antidepressant they gave you?
im asking as I have had mutiple
meds and the antidepressant I just had for last 5 months hasn’t worked well for my most recent ‘bout’ so I have a psychiatrist appt Monday and I think I will be getting a new one to try.

I use prolific mainly, I get a few surveys each day.

Our GP surgery proved they know very little about menopause. Are you able to heat your home for a certain amount of hours a day? Do you have heaters or a hot water bottle you could use?