Listing to myself all the ways life is worse now where I live than it was fifteen years ago and feeling really down

[CurdinHenry]

Dread getting old and vulnerable, it's already bad enough

Anyway aibu? Please list counterpoints if so to cheer me up thanks

If you think about all the negative things in the world then of course you’re going to feel like shit

If you look for shit you'll find it.

Making lists of why things are worse doesn't seem like a good use of time or energy, especially if you're already feeling down. Cognitive bias means you'll find what you're looking for.

My parents are in their 80s. They acknowledge that they experienced the best of healthcare and other services in this country. They can see the difference of course.

Few 'counterpoints' from my own experience - in case that helps. For reference I live in Brixton, London with partner and two mid-teen kids. Personal finances have taken a massive hit over the last couple of years and so we can't take kids out for occasional pizza or weekend away - but we are healthy.

• NHS seems to be WAY better in recent months. Across my extended family they have been responsive and effective.
• crime rate in London is DOWN.
• density of population in centralish London means High Street is not dying locally
• just had 5 world class festivals on my doorstep and even if you didn't attend (though most residents manage to bag free tickets) the lovely vibe on the street is fantastic
• street Whatsapp groups are a thing of wonder and community and there's so much stuff people on my street do from parties to Morris dancing that it makes the world seem a wholesome and friendly place.
• free travel once 60!

Honestly I used to just have lists and slides of things I wanted to get back to/ fix etc. whatever is bugging you the most, whatever is worst at the moment, take an active step today towards fixing it. After that get to places of nature/ fresh air. And don’t watch the news/ read the news, there’s lovely stuff happening in your locality right now, we had a local age charity collecting in the supermarket I work in, they go on trips, go swimming, have book clubs, go on walks, and we had a great laugh chatting to them

Sorry, no. The first three definitely didn't. The others - with the exception of youth clubs - I will give you.

As for youth clubs, I can't say as I never went to one as a teen and I know nobody who did (this was in South London).

There is always hope.