What little things help you get through life?

[SpeedbirdSquawker]

I have depression and due to work stress, I'm not feeling my best self at the moment. I don't have a good support system. I have a few fairweather friends.

I'm finding life really hard at the moment and each day I wake up I feel disappointed I haven't died in the night.

Life seems to consist of me crying, going to work, crying there and going to bed.

I don't like where I live, which I know only I can change. My neighbours are arseholes.

Is there anything you do to make life a bit more fulfilling? Just little things.

Spending as much time outdoors as possible. Doesn’t matter whether you’re gardening, exercising, reading or snoozing. It resets and rebalances you, is calming and refreshing and never a waste of time.

@SpeedbirdSquawker if you already live with depression and now have work stress on top of that, I'm not surprised you're not 'feeling your best self at the moment'

If you

'don't have a good support system, have a few fairweather friends' , are
'finding life really hard at the moment' and' each day you wake up feeling disappointed I haven't died in the night'
then you clearly need more help than you're getting at the minute

'Life seems to consist of me crying, going to work, crying there and going to bed.
I don't like where I live, which I know only I can change. My neighbours are arseholes'

Is there anything you do to make life a bit more fulfilling? Just little things.

Honestly (and meant as kindly as it can be) ........... all the advice given here isn't really going to help at the minute because you have no motivation.

You don't need to do this on your own - and you shouldn't be trying to do this on your own.
When you feel this low, it's so hard to find the motivation to do things.

Speak with your GP (eek! if you can get an appointment😬) and ask for advice on how to get through this.

They may recommend anti-depressants as a short term solution -- which would surely help??

And then, when you're feeling more positive, you'll feel able to take up some of the excellent suggestions on this thread to keep you going x

A nice cake and a cup of tea after a long walk

Reading a good book

Cuddling my dog on the settee

An hour at the gym, even if it's just to walk on the treadmill whilst listening to a podcast

Just noticing stuff around me: people - buildings - plants & flowers - animals - the sky - the weather... there's so much beauty around us if we just take the time to appreciate it!

To add to the good ideas already given-

A bit of self massage, hands and/or feet- with some nice moisturiser if you've got it.

A colouring book, loads of different themes and style- treat yourself too some nice colouring pens or pencils. Have some favourite music/podcast/audiobook on in the background (BBC sounds has free ones)

Looking after small things: give yourself credit if you're keeping on top of little chores/bits of self care- or if that feels too much right now, maybe pick one or two things to start doing.

It's rubbish to be feeling this way- good luck and take care of yourself as best you can

Getting a surprise message from DGS1 telling me he loves me ❤️ always puts a smile on my face.

Things that help me are:

Going to the local library and choosing a new book to read. I can spend ages just browsing the shelves and I find it peaceful in there. I only borrow one book at a time which makes me go back regularly to return it and borrow something new.....and stops me feeling overwhelmed with lots of unread books on my "to do" list.

Having a set routine in the morning and evenings. Mornings I get up, turn down my duvet and open my bedroom window to air the room. Then I get dressed, take my vitamins and brush my teeth and hair. Evenings I get straight in the shower after work (I don't wash my hair every time but even two minutes washing my body in the shower makes me feel better.) Then into comfortable clothes or pyjamas. I read my book for half an hour every night before I go to sleep. It means that even if everything else has gone to shit I am clean, I've taken some vitamin supplements, I've aired my room, my teeth and hair are brushed etc.

Going on a walk listening to a good audiobook or podcast.

I've been through several periods like this and what has really helped me is to write in a journal.

Sometimes I just write lists of what I've done during the day, even what I've watched on the TV, meals I've eaten, people I've spoken to.

Then put a star next to things you've enjoyed and a cross next to things that have been stressful, upsetting etc.

After a few days you can see what makes you happy and what doesn't. Hopefully this will highlight the areas of your life that you can build on and those you need to change

All the best, OP, hope all the support you're getting on here will help you

A bath, bed, a long sleep in, some nice food, a good chat with a friend, curry and wine.

Agree with @setmestraightplease . The derision you are describing is unlikely to lift because you go for a walk or eat chocolate or buy a new hand cream . Are you getting any treatment for your depression?

When I feel low and overwhelmed I write things down in my notebook. It's like talking to myself to remind me what I can achieve when I am not working and have no energy.

Also, if I make an effort to put a bit of makeup on and go out somewhere I feel better. It might be just for a coffee and cake.

@KnitnNatterAuntie has the same idea! Journels are great