What makes you feel alive?

[rosetulipdaisy]

I am trying to recover from depression. Recently I have been feeling very flat and numb. I can't remember what activities I like to do, what things get me in tune with feeling something or feeling alive. Either positive emotion or negative. Looking for suggestions please - what helps you?

Being out in nature, especially a wood or hilltop with a good view, especially in the wind. Breathing the wind in and out and feeling part of it all.

Also - being asked my opinion by someone I respect, and having my reply listened to attentively. Humans need this and we mostly don’t get it enough.

I have suffered with depression too in the past and remember how difficult it could be to re engage with the world.

Knitting and crochet have helped me a lot - either mindless stripy blankets or granny squares while I watch TV, or a more complex item that requires total concentration - depending on my mood.

I also find that being near the sea lifts my spirits so much.

Hope you feel back to your old self soon

Wishing you the best in finding your feelings, OP, and hopefully joy in smaller and bigger bursts

I'd say

• tai chi - the rhythm is soothing, and the actions have names that I find beautiful like "brush bird's tail". It feels like having a connection to generations of people studying the form.
• walking in either the city or the country
• singing and dancing...although not at the same time. In fact music in general...listening or playing

• books...for the sheer beauty of language like Donna Tartt's skies "bigger than imagining"
• watching the wildlife...squirrels, foxes, and hearing the owl at night. Plus irritation with the pigeon cooing into the echo chamber that is our chimney. He likes his own voice way too much.

Meeting my local friend for a coffee and gossip - I didn't have any local friends for quite a while for all kinds of reasons - so really cherish the couple I now have!!

A lovely memory. Its great when you become present in a moment and realise how wonderful it is

Oh actually this as well.
I often volunteer and absolutely love it

Running outside (in the dark so I don’t feel self conscious!)
swimming outdoors
walking in the rain (then getting into a warm house)
watching the flames of a fire
a bubble bath with candles
painting my toenails (my self care is normally zero beyond washing/ teeth/ brushing hair)
lighting candles
going to bed with a book before I’m tired
horse riding
walking on fresh snow
walking at night and seeing the lights in the houses
dancing on a very rare night out
long WhatsApp chats with my best friends
time 1:1 with any of my kids
ice skating
booking a holiday or weekend away to look forward to
fireworks
sitting outside with coffee and a book when it’s warm enough
stroking a random cat in the street
making a difference at work
when I’m not well and my youngest tucks me in!
good Thai green curry and a glass of white wine
tapas and fruit for dinner by myself when everyone else is busy
driving in the countryside to random places
walking on deserted beaches with the dogs
hugs from my teens
snuggling the youngest 2 dc on the couch
long talks with teen dd
my team at work
sunshine
looking at photos from the last 10 years
ghost stories
silence
music
christmas lights

Wow, that was longer than I realised!

This is for you.

Hitting people with swords, and, in return, being hit by swords. In an entirely non-kinky, but slightly violent, manner.

I also enjoy rowing, bell ringing, charging around the countryside on horses and dragging my lazy are up hills on foot.

Basically anything that gets me outdoors, puts my heart rate up and forces my brain to just stop bloody thinking a bit.

For you.

Going to the gym makes me feel amazing physically and mentally.

Took alot for me to get into the routine of going but it's been so good for my mental health.

I'd start with small things such as enjoying 10 minutes peace with your morning coffee, reading a good book, cooking a nice healthy meal, get your nails/ hair/ any beauty treatments done.

Hope you're feeling better soon OP

Music.
Art (visiting galleries is always very inspiring to me.)
I love nature walks but agree with pp that the city is a great place to be if you want to feel unimportant and small around so many other people (I mean that in a good way - when I get overwhelmed and start overthinking I find it helpful to remember I'm just a microscopic part of the planet). Also great for new shops and treats. I always like to buy a trinket/book/something delicious to eat when I visit a new city.
Yoga is great to reground and calm your mind.

Good luck op, sending solidarity.

Watching my dog running and enjoying herself in the park. Also, the long deep meaningful love looks that she gives.

@Howmanysleepsnow lovely post- many of those are my mine too

Sex
Running in the early morning
Watching the sea
Listening to loud music through headphones
Watching horror films

I love theme parks but sadly there are none open right now! I also enjoy being out in nature, near water or on the forest. We are landlocked two hours from the sea but if not the beach would be my first choice. I also love planning things to look forward to. My little cat brings me joy every day too, he is just so sweet and undemanding and has such a funny face!

Laughing until I cry
Lifting the heaviest weights I can
Running
Sex

Same for me. I live in a big city and stepping out of my front door every morning and never quite knowing what to expect gives me such a buzz and makes me feel alive. As do the endless possibilities of things to do every day/week/month.

Exercise so my muscles ache followed by a bath.

Love this thread! I’ll add mine:

Singing along to my favourite songs from musicals
Going for a walk in local park or beach where I can see lots of lovely dogs
Going to my favourite cafe and ordering my favourite drink
Going to charity shops in the fancy part of town

Fed ducks today on the iced over canal. Made me so happy. You've got to reach that couple of shy ducks at the back, remember. Fair's fair.

Anything to do with horses, even just listening to them munch or watching their ears flick when out on a ride.

Anything to do with dogs, from watching them zoom in the garden to having their paw on your arm.

Anything to do with writing a diary, from using a beautiful pen to decorating the cover with your own creativity.

Anything to do with art and crafts. From deciding what to make to finding the right pair of scissors. From finding the right needle to seeing the finished result.

Anything to do with cooking. From seeing what is available in the fridge, may be check out a few recipes for inspiration to creating your own dish and sharing it with others.

Anything to do with being active. From going to a new class to trying but not quite succeeding knowing there is always room for improvement so being not very good just makes you laugh.

Anything to do with my family and friends because we like to laugh and ( mostly!) see the best in each other.

Anything to do with my bed. It's so comfy!

I really love reading, delicious food, the light of a candle...usually very gentle things when I'm feeling depressed.

What makes me feel alive has been travel, falling in love.

Red hot summers day, the children playing in and out of the sea, popping to the kiosk to get a drink and ice cream, just me and the kids.