How to keep going when you're at rock bkttom

[Helloyou4]

I'm single (ex has moved on happily despite being very abusive when we were together), I hate my job and work with very very difficult colleagues (think ambitious and snide), I've moved to a new area for work and have far less friends around...

Feel like I'm drowning. I had an interview last week and so I am trying to change things, but it's a slow process and I don't think I've got anything left. Barely eaten today and spent the day in bed feeling terrified for Monday with my awful passive aggressive manager.

I hate my life right now. How do you keep going at times like this?

I genuinely have no idea but I'm sending you a hug.
If you find the answer out please let me know.
I've had a shitty year too (couple of miscarriages, couple of unrelated operations and job problems)
My only advice is to keep on keeping on.
Plenty of sleep, fresh air, exercise, minimal alcohol and writing a journal/gratitude diary type thing all help I think.
After that it's just one foot in front of the other.
Hope things improve for you soon.

You stay positive . Keep your head up and keep moving forward. It's so easy to fall into depression when you feel down yet a lot harder to drag yourself out.

I guess also thinking about how lucky you are , thats what keeps me going. I have been through a horrible few years . Lost absolutely everything. Living back with my parents , with no job , my kids in care and a whole load of guilt but I'm alive. My kids are amazing and I am surrounded by people who love me .
You have a job (I know you hate it!) and a few friends at least ... much more than some.
This isnt meant to patronise you btw it's just easy to forget the positives . Hope you feel better soon :)

I've been doing a gratitude list every day. I was sceptical, I admit. But it's done something in me somehow! I genuinely feel grateful for all the things I have. We take so much for granted, always looking for what we don't have/what we're going to get in the future.

Which brings me on to living in the day. Day at a time. One. day. at. a. time.

Register you feel crap today . You said you felt crap because you were terrified about monday, but you wrote that today: it's saturday. So you brought monday into today - which ruined your day. Dealing with PA manager is bad enough at the time, why bring it into a day when you're free of it? etc.

I appreciate your manager gets to you, I'm not minimising the stress of it. You're doing all you can to address the situation, you can't do any more. Perhaps have a look at why you're afraid of your manager? Exactly the components; break them down, look at each one: do you need to fear. Which bits are a genuine fear, which bits could you ditch. etc.

You look at what you've got to be grateful for abd realise that as long as there's life, there's hope.

It can often seem like life's just crap ... but all you have to do is listen to the news and you'll see people in a much worse situation than you.

I was presented with a £7000 repair bill for my car and just about collapsed. My BF told me that her colleague had just been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She'd beaten breast and lung cancer in the past.

It kind of put my problem into perspective.

Can you organise your old friends to come and visit you before
Or after Christmas? Looking forward to something like seeing old friends this time of year can help and you can let it out when you see them.

I hope things start feeling better soon.

Thank you! I'm getting started on a gratitude list right now. No lying in bed today so far :)

You're all right, I just need to hold onto the home whilst also finding the positives in each day right now.

The work situation as become heavy and I hate it a lot, but as a poster said, I can't do more than keep looking for work. I think this part is the hardest to stay strong about.

Thanks everyone, real boost to my morning xx

*hope not home!

Also definitely get out for a walk in bright light.Sometimes you have to force yourself but you will be feel better afterwards.
Treat yourself to healthy foods and you will look better which helps to feel better.
Think of your work situation as an opportunity to show you what work culture you want to work within.

I agree about trying to live in the moment. Try not to dwell on the past and 'what if's.' It's pointless. Try to compartmentalise your work. Try to only think about your job and manager when you're there. You're taking practical steps to get a new job, so put your energy into that rather than letting your manager into your head at other times. Try to train yourself to 'switch' those thoughts as soon as they appear.

Yes to thinking positive, but accept that it is ok to feel down. I think putting too much pressure on yourself to be upbeat can sometimes trigger the depression you are trying to avoid. Accepting that you're going through a rough patch, but it is just a phase and will pass is key. It's ok to feel low and sad, acknowledge it and by living in the present, you won't dwell on it.

And yes to counting your blessings, it gives us perspective when we can't see the good because we're overwhelmed by the bad.

My mantra in bad times is, "This too shall pass.' Sounds trite, but it helps me.

Thank you. Today has been a better day. Just trying to stay strong and face the dark night at 4.30! Lol

Thinking of you tomorrow op.

Cary is right: this too shall pass. It ALWAYS does. Think of the horrible times in the past - they always came to an end.

Meanwhile, pace yourself. You have to get through this (a day at a time..) so focus on keeping your emotional, physical and mental strength the best you can - by factoring in things that will maximise your ability to withstand this difficult time. The smallest things are surprisingly effective eg a bit of exercise, fresh air, good nutrition, lots of water, deep breathing. If you can't sleep, get up for a while instead of ruminating in bed.

You can do it girl

Thank you so much! I'm dreading tomorrow, but re reading this thread has made me feel stronger. Thank you. One day at a time... want another job so badly!!!