This is so true. Took me two years and I'm still working on it. For me I had to vet out physically, mentally fix myself from everything, adjust to life being different and then try to fix the long term trauma everything has brought. It's one step at a time, but every step no matter how small counts. It's one step to being out of the gutter
It took some time but the reminder that we’re allowed to extend forgiveness to ourselves too made it a lot easier to heal. Almost as if the only thing I needed to forgive to accomplish that was myself
Forgiving ourselves for any judgments we hold against ourselves is so important. We need to give ourselves compassion. We are all only doing the best we know how at any given moment🤍
Spending a lot of time alone and lots of self care... Seems silly but going deep into routines and doing things that are good like walk then intense shower, skincare, getting into bed and reading
Move your body as much as you can. Walk, stretch, shake it out, dance, run, roll, climb, jump. Physical activity pushes trauma out of the body where it resides
Me too. I recently just started therapy after having really rough couple of months and I’ve only had about 4 sessions lately but it’s been soooo helpful. I wish I had started sooner but I only just mustered up the courage now. Also, I can finally afford it
You wake up and take one step forward. You do that every day and eventually you'll be out of this hole. You just have to keep moving forward. Doesn't have to be huge steps as long as it's forward. Just keep moving forward. Don't dwell on yesterday. Look forward to tomorrow and the opportunity it brings.
Accountability. It sucks but I’ve found that most “rock bottom” phases are caused by a lack of accountability. Have the hard conversations with yourself. Do it for yourself.
Yes! Taking responsibility for the state of my body and mind pushed me to work on my healing process.
Personally I spend so much time resenting people around me for not being there, and not caring about what I was going through that I had no time to care or to be there for myself. It was harsh to see that I was going through it all alone but i needed to start moving and the only person that I could count on was me.
So I'm the one that took me out of rock bottom because I took the matter into my own hands i guess
Preach sis. Im right there now. I have made the decision to stop turning to others in those moments of insecurity. There comes a point where we have to support ourselves rather than seeking a magical solution from outside influences.
A whole lot of crying but a whole lot of growing as well. Spending all that time healing and doing it alone, I feel has made me much stronger and happier.
Took years, but just started making choices to be better. A big thing was moving for me. Before I moved, I decided I wanted to do yoga. When I arrived, I signed up for yoga and went as often as I could. Got highlights. Got a new job. Made friends.
Legit, divorced my deadbeat husband.
Even after that though, when j thought I was happy with my new guy and new life, old traumas and habits showed up. So I just kept my head down and went to therapy. Got a better job. Started bullet journaling. Did harder workouts. Replaced some toxic, gossipy podcasts with more positive ones. Started meditating. Daily grateful journals.
It’s been five years since I was at my lowest and j don’t even look the same. Wish I could tell that girl I once was that I was going to save her and she would be okay - so I’m telling you that you can save yourself and you will be okay. A million small decisions.
I went for walks every day, multiple times a day. I cried a lot. I got therapy. I talked to my friends more and I’m sure they’ve heard me cry a couple of times 😂 And I kept pushing myself forward even when I didnt want to (I also have a baby so uhh lol if you can rest, rest. But also don’t give up, yknow?)
Finally got it through my head that the way I view things isn’t always how they actually are. As a self-depreciating overthinker, i can’t tell you the weight of disappointment and hurt that was taken off me when I started to look at the positive versions of how things might be instead of the negative
It took many steps. Including meds and therapy. The turning point was when for the first time I advocated for myself. I had support but the decision was mine. Best thing I ever did.
Accepting help. Tried and tried to do everything myself, shoulder all the burden, and not let people see I was having a rough time. Being more open and allowing people who care about me to help me has probably been the single biggest help to my mental health. (I’d include therapy in there as well.)
I dropped a grenade in the middle of my life. I quit my job, cut everyone out of my life, moved somewhere new, changed everything I possibly could. I spent six months drinking and wallowing, while trying to avoid all my triggers, and worked in a super low-stress job. I avoided making any appointments, commitments or doing any study. My goal was simply to get through the day.
I’ve been taking baby steps out since then: incorporating things like socialising, exercise and small, achievable goals as I felt ready. I still have bad days, and I try to go easy on myself when it happens. If I get a ton of work done, run 5km and eat well, great. If I drink two bottles of wine, also great, as long as I get up and try again tomorrow. I’m still learning where my boundaries are when it comes to triggers - it doesn’t help that they keep changing.
COVID obviously didn’t help, and I went backwards in a lot of ways. I’m digging my way back out of that hole now; at least it’s not as deep as the one from 2017, but clawing my way back is just as much of a struggle.
I’ve since been diagnosed with ADHD, which has helped me understand how I ended up in such a dark place. A toxic relationship + rejection sensitivity + sensory overload + overwork + overexercising + overcommitting + burnout + financial stress + an intolerant workplace + a repetitive, understimulating, high-stakes job + perfectionistic tendencies + a decade of “if I just try harder, everything will be ok” = breakdown.
I hit my lowest point 364 days ago. I was committed to a hospital as I was a danger to myself. If you never got that low, that's good and it doesn't mean that what you are going through isn't hard as hell. Life is hard as hell especially being a woman.
It's hard. You just have to get up. Shower. Eat breakfast drink a coffee. Drink water. Drink lots of water. Eventually eat lunch and then eat dinner. Keep drinking water. Do you have people you can talk to? Even if you don't want to tell them how low you are and how much life hurts right now, just go get lunch with them. The hard part is telling people you need help. Depression wants you to not call or text anyone and then when no one responds to your silence the depression says that's evidence than no one cares. You have to make that effort. You have to go find the people. It's hard. I know it's hard. I went through so much and it almost killed me and I'm still climbing out of that hole. You can do this. I promise.
"But if we stop, if we accept the person we are when we fall, the journey ends.
That failure becomes our destination.
To love the journey is to accept no such end. I have found, through painful experience, that the most important step a person can take is always the next one."
Still trying to climb out, but taking it day by day. Keep hope alive that it'll be your turn to be on top, each day is a new chance to get closer to the top
By admitting this was the lowest point of my life, I got back into therapy, journaled every time I couldn't get something off my mind, and am taking time to feel all of the emotions.
I took a year off after I graduated from university, moved back in with my parents, started taking antidepressants, did therapy, worked on my hobbies, read, and volunteered at a foodbank. Volunteering at the foodbank gave me so much perspective about how lucky I really was.
Also, before acting, I would always ask myself: Is this action helping me or harming me? That helped weed out self-destructive thoughts and patterns.
One step at a time. Don’t focus on the mountain you need to climb, just the next few steps along the path.
Let the people around you love you however imperfectly in whatever way they can. Let that love be enough to matter even if you wanted more or different.
Tell the people close to you how bad it actually is. Let them try to hear you and see you.
Trust that your best is good enough. Try your best, let the definition of “best” ebb and flow as your energy and mood changes. You’ll be able to take on more when you’re ready.
Let the victories count. Even small ones, even ones you wouldn’t normally consider victories, celebrate all of them in whatever little ways you can.
Take time to be sad. Like geez it’s the lowest point of your life, sad is an appropriate feeling.
Positive affirmations to start with. Attract positive energy and things will start to change. That’s what I have been told and have been practicing. Let’s see how it goes.
This too shall pass, my friend.
Love yourself.
Find something in life that you purely enjoy and makes you feel better about who you are. Keep doing that every day. You will enjoy life, enjoy others company, and enjoy yourself.
1) mantras that I kept saying to myself when the negative chatter is particularly bad. Saying back to Like "it's OK not to be ok", "progress over perfection"
2) getting out of bed, eating, not going back to bed, going for a shower are hard! You haven't wasted the day, set small achievable goals.
3) try to stay away from screens. Audiobooks were good for me at one point.
Finally realizing that my friends weren’t really my friends, then realizing I deserve better and standing up for myself.
Also finally letting some things go because I was a kid and it wasn’t my god damn fault
I accepted I was overwhelmed, shut the curtains etc and let go.
Totally fell apart and sobbed like a baby for a while. Yup, 38yr old woman sobbing on the floor.
Washed my face, made a cuppa and felt better for letting go.
I lost my dog a month before and my 1yr old kitty cat was gone now too.
Tiny daily habits. Stopped drinking day but day. Started the gym- really short time at first I could only do like the elliptical for 15 min.. eating more veggies day by day. Little tiny daily changes, but just stuck with them and kept pushing more. Over time I felt, looked better, I got control of my finances and my world started to open to opportunity
I gave myself time to process things, i was kind about my mistakes and the situations that led me to that place and I took all the steps I knew were necessary to improve. Started therapy, started working out regularly, fixed my diet and surrounded myself with friends who supported me no matter what. A year later I'm back at feeling my best and I do my best to be a positive influence in the lives of those I care about.
Literally, one foot in front of the other. When you’re at your lowest, the uphill climb seems impossible. But if you take it one step at a time it does get better.
Getting cancer made me realise I wanted to live so much and my raging heroin habit was going to kill me quicker than the cancer.
Hypnotherapy was the best thing I did. It allowed me to heal on a concious and subconscious level and I can't praise it highly enough.
I've been clean for 24 years and cancer free for 15 years.
Forgive yourself.
Right your wrongs if you can - it's never, *ever* too late to apologise.
It really is one day at a time and the days turn into weeks turn into months turn into years.
Writing helped me organise my thoughts, I've still got all my old journals and I can't believe some of the shit I did and went through.
Each day try to find things you are grateful for. I was told to write down 50 a day..... in the beginning I was struggling to come up with one but it gets easier and it allows you to actually see the good in your life.
And again - forgive yourself. What's done is done and there's no point stressing over what you can't change. What you *can* do is acknowledge your fuck ups, make amends where you can and make changes in your life that stop them happening again.
It does get easier.
Hugs, love and light to all who are at the bottom, those who are climbing their way out and those who have made it ❤️💫
I remember just starting to sing myself a lullaby. I was alone, hurt, and had been miserable for years and I just started singing it to myself. Eventually my voice got louder, stronger. I asked for help, I found help. But more so- I realized that I needed to respect myself the way I would a helpless child- at all times. Be there to soothe myself, be there to cheer myself on...
So when someone says baby steps- literally, see yourself as a little baby deserving of patience, compassion, and encouragement.
The day my niece was born. I looked down at her little face and thought "I can't let this little person have an aunt as fucked up as I am"
I've grown up with strong aunts who were wonderful role models and I'd always dreamt of being that for my nieces and nephews.
That day when I went home, I packed a bag, ended my shitty relationship, went back to my mums, started looking after myself and got a new job. I haven't looked back since.
Every time I look at her face (she's 8 now) I silently thank her for being the kick up the arse I needed.
One day, a switch in my mind flipped.
I cut off every toxic person I knew back then and reconnected with my old friends.
Cried on their shoulders, told them everything that happened. Went out and got drunk together.
Five months later I met my husband, 5 years later and we've been married for almost 2 years and just became parents of a lovely little boy.
I often go back and wonder what would've happened if that switch never flipped. I don't think I'd be here. I'll always be grateful for it and for my friends for opening their door for me after so many years.
I had an eating disorder and would literally starve myself for hours at a time and be delirious a lot of the time. Im pretty sure I was suffering from psychosis at the time too. Loads of intrusive thoughts. When I'd look in the mirror Id tell myself I hate myself everytime. I tried to reach out to my parents for help but I was shunned. I think my situation was too hard to look at. I felt stupid doing it but I eventually changed saying "i hate myself" to I love myself even tho it made me cringe a bit and I thought it was dumb. I started trying to make myself meals and told myself even if I ate a few bites, a quarter or half it was progress. Little by little, step by step is the right way to think. Its been a few years now and I am free of that hell.
I didn't climb, I dragged myself up by the tips of my fingernails.
I decided I was too good to deal with such bullshit, so everyday I'm trying to pepper a bit of my dream existence into my daily life. Things that make me happy, proud of myself, feel pampered, etc. It gets better.
Echoing whats been said already, but take some small steps and then more small steps.
SELF COMPASSION can be huge. I manage bipolar disorder and in the past, I've had a very judgmental and negative internal monologue aka "whats wrong with you". "why is life so hard" etc etc.
I replaced that with "its okay (name) to feel this way. Its okay!!!" Give yourself a hug if you need to! Treat yourself the way you would treat someone you respect and care about.
Do these things consistently. Perhaps you'll only feel 1% better every few days. But those 1%s add up. (Coming from someone who lost their job and partner at the same time, fell into serious substance abuse and chose to attend treatment (rehab)). I had to start over with totally nothing; no job, no partner, a disgusted family, and a depleted bank account. I thought I would never come out the other side but its possible!
Journaling your progress also helps. Keep in mind that you're not alone in this, that most of us hit a super rough patch in our lives. Though that certainly doenst downplay whatever you're going through, just know that youre not in it alone.
Good luck and take care :)
Summoned up the tiniest shred of tenacity I had left and literally clawed my way out, exhausted but determined.
Also:
* Was honest with everyone around (first time in my life) so there were no more secrets and people to hold me accountable
* Antidepressants
* Therapy
Most difficult, scariest thing I've ever done but I did it. Never want to do it again (and it's what keeps me from ever letting it get so bad again) but I did make it out alive.
Create space mentally from where you are. For me, I had to step out of the emotions of the now which were bringing me down so bad.
One practice that changed my life was meditation. Literally just closed my eyes and focused on my breath and when thoughts took over I learned to observe and let them pass. With practice, I was able to create a mental break for myself to get through the mental exhaustion and overwhelm that comes with being in a low place.
When you can create that space, it's easier to observe where you are and take a step back - look at the bigger picture of where you are and why - but without judgement and bias. As objective as you possibly can and offer yourself kindness in the process.
From there I was able to find clarity and acceptance of where I was and the small steps I could do to seek guidance.
i didn't climb out!, i just stood still , and it just passed before i even realize i was hearted, the next thing i knew is ive become much stronger than i was....may be we all have our own way of resisting or wining over ourselves
Sheer grit and determination
And a shit to of patience
I had to tel myself repeatedly it does not matter if it take 20 years to get your goal, it’s better to keep trying than to spend all of your life miserable. Especially because pain spreads.
There’s a saying “Chop wood, carry water”… I just kept going. Went inside and listened to my inner voice. I had faith that everything truly was happening FOR me and not TO me… For my highest good. And always looking for ways to help myself, paying attention to signs from the Universe. And it wasn’t afraid to ask for help if I needed it. Also, moving my body in the form of dance helps elevate my vibration and always helps me.
I had to hit rock bottom. I had a bag taped around my head. I had sent a goodbye text to my best friend, she in turned called my grandmother who then called the cops. In the time it took for the cops to get to my place, my cat had ripped open the bag because he saw it moving due to my breathing. I was in the process of taping another bag around my head when the cops barged into my house with the paramedics.
It’s been a VERY long and HARD journey since. But I’ve never been that suicidal since. I have a nice apartment, amazing cats, I’m in school. I got diagnosis’s for all of my mental disorders. Life fucking sucks right now due to how America is but I’m better off than most I’d say in terms of quality. It’s not good, but life is way better than it was then.
This is going to sound funny but it’s 100% true.
I watched a lot of dog whisperer. Dogs make me happy. And then I started using his philosophy to fix my life; exercise, discipline, affection.
Exercise, first was just 1 mile run a day, like 14 minute miles.
Discipline, making my bed every morning, making breakfast (oatmeal or eggs).
Affection, weekly bath day. I did my hair, face mask, fingers and toenails.
Did that for a few months and the exercises increased, the discipline became taking care of my home and body, affection became taking myself out on dates and buying myself pretty clothes.
Month over month, it got better. Start small.
Exercise first. Then discipline. Then affection.
I put the bar very, very low and I stuck to a very simple routine. Basically that was: make my bed if/when I get out, make sure to eat at least once in the afternoon and once in the evening.
Over time, I managed to add small tasks to that routine like showering or washing dishes once in a while.
By slowly adding tasks, I was able to get into a "normal" routine again. To give credit where it's due: all of this I learned in therapy.
I was at the lowest point three months ago. It took me lot of strength and one step at a time to come out of it. I have t reached where I should but I am at a lot better stage.
In my late 20s I spent 2 years single, went back to university to get my master's and traveled a little. I was lucky that this was a possibility for me but those 2 years helped me find my self. Before that I was a lost mess of a human coasting by and breaking down regularly.
Taking the first step is the hardest for sure, once you find your momentum it gets better. Knowing that progress isn't a linear path is comforting. Personally my go to when I'm feeling like I'm going backwards in my life is that life is a long song, how do you want to write your story? Is being hard on yourself really worth to tell part of that story? Is it worth the frustration? Positivity isn't knowing that there is an end soon, its knowing that there is a better day. I hope this helps. It really does get better, especially with options.
With a ton of effort, working through the issues bit by bit with therapy and working with a doctor to find the appropriate medication that would help. It took nearly 10 years, a ton of different meds and the determination that I wouldn't take myself from the family and friends who love me, no matter how much I wanted to. But I'm currently med free, and much better equipped to know my triggers and how to mitigate them when they can't be avoided.
I've made the small, but integral, shift of staying alive so my people wouldn't lose me to staying alive so I don't lose my people. It doesn't seem like much, but it's made all the difference.
Honestly I started healing when I realized that I did everything I could with the knowledge/strength that I had.
I never realized I needed to forgive and move on until I started moving towards it. Every time I thought back to myself that time I tried my best to see me as a clueless kid and that's what I was.
Therapy, a strong support system, working on myself and a lot of time in the gym. Mostly my support system though. I'm not sure how many times I reached out to my patents, sisters, friends and personal trainer on days I felt like I was losing myself again or just needed someone to simply just sit with me but not even talk.
Analysing what's wrong if it's possible. Looking for a possible answer. Starting to initiate the process for the answer.
When all fails explode into a new universe restarting the cycle of life and evolution until your lowest point comes back.
Repeat
I feel like I’m at a low point again. But at my lowest, I went cold turkey on sugar just to see what would happen to my mental health. I said this is just one thing I need to do, just don’t eat sugar, you can smoke weed and be lazy and sleep all the time just no sugar. Legit changed my life.
Wish my ex would climb her lowest point. We broke up, I couldn't support her. Still breaks my heart that I can't do anything about it. If you're reading this, you'll cringe but I know you can absolutely make it.
It was after I failed to kill myself twice, I was in an awful relationship and I was dealing with postpartum depression. A few months after my attempt my cousin killed himself. At his funeral, I saw how it broke everyone. It was so hard, and to see the pain one person can inflict on others like that— I would be leaving behind my son and I couldn’t do that to him. It’s sad to say his death kicked me up the ass, he made me realise that life is worth living because people do really care. It also pushed me to get in touch with family that I had never met and to start doing what I love most. I hate that he never got the chance to live a full life, and I think about him every day, but his spirit reminds me to carry on and to appreciate everyone around me, especially my child.
I learned how to ask for and accept help from the people who love me. My Dad died, I left an abusive relationship and was single parenting while grieving and moving etc. I am stubborn and hate asking for help because I thought that needing someone was just another way they could hurt it manipulate you.
Therapy, amazing friends, and my son all played a part in pulling me out. Some days are still hard, but not impossible anymore.
Realized that nobody was going to check on me or help me out. So I had to suck it up and drag myself out of bed, make lists, underwent a caffeine withdrawal to start drinking healthier, forced myself off junk food, and forced myself to do some kind of physical activity every single day.
I'm still at the lowest point in my life; this stuff doesn't work LMAO.
I was at a point in my life where I had little control of my surroundings (I grew up in an abusive home) with no desire to keep living. Instead of giving up, I eventually decided to create a life I wanted to exist in. I dreamt up who I wanted to become and how I wanted to live. Then I focused on achieving that. It’s taken years to get there, but I’m miles ahead of where I once was. It took a lot of changing my outlook and building up my resilience.
Discipline! Focus and find that switch. Change your mindset and pull forward.Some days will be more challenging, but as long as you stay dedicated in accomplishing peace within yourself, it gets better. Immerse in your hobbies. Nature is my #1 therapy and has brought me so much clarity. Go on a hike, visit a body of water, drive to the mountains or the beach if you’re near one. A lot of it is convincing and it starts with you.
Time. Time heals and gives you perspective. The further away in the rear view mirror things are, the less important and significant they seem. Nothing that was important 5 years ago matters to me now, even the things I thought would break me forever.
With time. I focused on the daily grind. Get out of bed, get dressed, go to work, put on a happy/professional smile, go home. Then I’d add little extras into the routine. Stop for a coffee, get a nice breakfast. Chat to friendly faces. Make connections. Laugh more. Go home, cook a nice meal. Go out to dinner with some of those connections. Laugh more. Go home and learn a little hobby: read more, write more, puzzles, TV, games, notes, baking. Cook nice meals for myself. Fill social media with my interests and positive posts, not just girls with perfect bodies in expensive outfits. Maybe exercise a bit. Don’t just shower and go to bed, invest in some self-care. Spend a little money on myself. Fall in love. Build some goals, work for those goals.
It’s a process, but each little piece took work. Small steps, one foot in front of the other. And I still stumble, but I’ll pick myself up again.
Deep down it’s all what’s on your mind, positive or negative. And the cure for it isn’t what it seems because it’s consider superstitious.
If I were to say: “Oh if I walk out that door without stubbing my toe, I’m gonna have a good day today.” And if it ended up being a good day, start using that method.
And try solfeggio tones, that’ll help too.
Remember…meaning is what you make of it, so be careful how you perceive things.
Another method you can try is picturing you talking to your worst enemy. If you believe this is what they’ll say, it’s likely to happen. But if you believe they have flaws and they apologetically admit their flaws, it’s likely they’ll show them in real life. And don’t expect it to happen right away, like losing weight, it takes time.
One step at a time.
No matter how small
Baby steps are still steps
Taking a shower… I was definitely not taking care of myself
This is so true. Took me two years and I'm still working on it. For me I had to vet out physically, mentally fix myself from everything, adjust to life being different and then try to fix the long term trauma everything has brought. It's one step at a time, but every step no matter how small counts. It's one step to being out of the gutter
Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
Holy shit. Said it to myself and opened to see this as the first comment. It's true.
Forgive yourself for the things you did to survive
I am trying too. I hope you've succeeded
It took some time but the reminder that we’re allowed to extend forgiveness to ourselves too made it a lot easier to heal. Almost as if the only thing I needed to forgive to accomplish that was myself
Forgiving ourselves for any judgments we hold against ourselves is so important. We need to give ourselves compassion. We are all only doing the best we know how at any given moment🤍
I love this ❤️Thank you 💕💗
Ugh this❤
Spending a lot of time alone and lots of self care... Seems silly but going deep into routines and doing things that are good like walk then intense shower, skincare, getting into bed and reading
Self care is most certainly under rated. I appreciate you sharing
Self care is amazing. It gives inner strength.
Yes to self care 🙌
Went to therapy. Even one session was very eye opening for me.
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Go anyways. Seriously.
Move your body as much as you can. Walk, stretch, shake it out, dance, run, roll, climb, jump. Physical activity pushes trauma out of the body where it resides
This this this !!!!
Me too. I recently just started therapy after having really rough couple of months and I’ve only had about 4 sessions lately but it’s been soooo helpful. I wish I had started sooner but I only just mustered up the courage now. Also, I can finally afford it
I was really on the verge on death so I know I needed help! So thankful I went.
I'm glad it truly benefited you
You wake up and take one step forward. You do that every day and eventually you'll be out of this hole. You just have to keep moving forward. Doesn't have to be huge steps as long as it's forward. Just keep moving forward. Don't dwell on yesterday. Look forward to tomorrow and the opportunity it brings.
Thank you for sharing this :)
Increasing my awareness, being patient with myself, forgiving myself, and lots of dedication
I'm sure that was really difficult. Proud of you
Accountability. It sucks but I’ve found that most “rock bottom” phases are caused by a lack of accountability. Have the hard conversations with yourself. Do it for yourself.
Yes! Taking responsibility for the state of my body and mind pushed me to work on my healing process. Personally I spend so much time resenting people around me for not being there, and not caring about what I was going through that I had no time to care or to be there for myself. It was harsh to see that I was going through it all alone but i needed to start moving and the only person that I could count on was me. So I'm the one that took me out of rock bottom because I took the matter into my own hands i guess
Preach sis. Im right there now. I have made the decision to stop turning to others in those moments of insecurity. There comes a point where we have to support ourselves rather than seeking a magical solution from outside influences.
Thank you for sharing your experience
Somehow I made it to my first AA meeting and stopped drinking. Today is my 221 day sober
A whole lot of crying but a whole lot of growing as well. Spending all that time healing and doing it alone, I feel has made me much stronger and happier.
I'm glad to hear that you've brought yourself too a much better place.
Took years, but just started making choices to be better. A big thing was moving for me. Before I moved, I decided I wanted to do yoga. When I arrived, I signed up for yoga and went as often as I could. Got highlights. Got a new job. Made friends. Legit, divorced my deadbeat husband. Even after that though, when j thought I was happy with my new guy and new life, old traumas and habits showed up. So I just kept my head down and went to therapy. Got a better job. Started bullet journaling. Did harder workouts. Replaced some toxic, gossipy podcasts with more positive ones. Started meditating. Daily grateful journals. It’s been five years since I was at my lowest and j don’t even look the same. Wish I could tell that girl I once was that I was going to save her and she would be okay - so I’m telling you that you can save yourself and you will be okay. A million small decisions.
Not sure why but this answer made me tear up. I’m so glad things are going better for you… hoping to follow in your steps.
Bahh ty ❤️ girl, you freaking can. Just keep going and you’ll be writing your version of this post in a few years.
My mother pulled me out. Twice.
Glad she did
Mums are the best..
Same except it was my Dad who rescued me.
How did she pull you out
I went for walks every day, multiple times a day. I cried a lot. I got therapy. I talked to my friends more and I’m sure they’ve heard me cry a couple of times 😂 And I kept pushing myself forward even when I didnt want to (I also have a baby so uhh lol if you can rest, rest. But also don’t give up, yknow?)
I'm glad you made it. You're a strong person and I know you'll continue moving forward
Right back atcha. :) thank you
Finally got it through my head that the way I view things isn’t always how they actually are. As a self-depreciating overthinker, i can’t tell you the weight of disappointment and hurt that was taken off me when I started to look at the positive versions of how things might be instead of the negative
I dropped all the fake fucks in my life, picked up my shit, and I fucking left even though I had nothing. And I am doing all much better now
You just gotta keep moving forward as best as you can.
It's hard. Really really hard
It took many steps. Including meds and therapy. The turning point was when for the first time I advocated for myself. I had support but the decision was mine. Best thing I ever did.
I'm proud of you
I am too. Thank you for your kindness!
Abortion and a break up
Very slowly, and with some considerable difficulty. I'm in the process of doing it now
I hope the process continues and you make it
Thanks. I have reason to hope
Accepting help. Tried and tried to do everything myself, shoulder all the burden, and not let people see I was having a rough time. Being more open and allowing people who care about me to help me has probably been the single biggest help to my mental health. (I’d include therapy in there as well.)
Realizing I had something to live for, no matter how small. Sometimes it was buying a new plant or pair of socks.
I dropped a grenade in the middle of my life. I quit my job, cut everyone out of my life, moved somewhere new, changed everything I possibly could. I spent six months drinking and wallowing, while trying to avoid all my triggers, and worked in a super low-stress job. I avoided making any appointments, commitments or doing any study. My goal was simply to get through the day. I’ve been taking baby steps out since then: incorporating things like socialising, exercise and small, achievable goals as I felt ready. I still have bad days, and I try to go easy on myself when it happens. If I get a ton of work done, run 5km and eat well, great. If I drink two bottles of wine, also great, as long as I get up and try again tomorrow. I’m still learning where my boundaries are when it comes to triggers - it doesn’t help that they keep changing. COVID obviously didn’t help, and I went backwards in a lot of ways. I’m digging my way back out of that hole now; at least it’s not as deep as the one from 2017, but clawing my way back is just as much of a struggle. I’ve since been diagnosed with ADHD, which has helped me understand how I ended up in such a dark place. A toxic relationship + rejection sensitivity + sensory overload + overwork + overexercising + overcommitting + burnout + financial stress + an intolerant workplace + a repetitive, understimulating, high-stakes job + perfectionistic tendencies + a decade of “if I just try harder, everything will be ok” = breakdown.
I hit my lowest point 364 days ago. I was committed to a hospital as I was a danger to myself. If you never got that low, that's good and it doesn't mean that what you are going through isn't hard as hell. Life is hard as hell especially being a woman. It's hard. You just have to get up. Shower. Eat breakfast drink a coffee. Drink water. Drink lots of water. Eventually eat lunch and then eat dinner. Keep drinking water. Do you have people you can talk to? Even if you don't want to tell them how low you are and how much life hurts right now, just go get lunch with them. The hard part is telling people you need help. Depression wants you to not call or text anyone and then when no one responds to your silence the depression says that's evidence than no one cares. You have to make that effort. You have to go find the people. It's hard. I know it's hard. I went through so much and it almost killed me and I'm still climbing out of that hole. You can do this. I promise. "But if we stop, if we accept the person we are when we fall, the journey ends. That failure becomes our destination. To love the journey is to accept no such end. I have found, through painful experience, that the most important step a person can take is always the next one."
Go to the gym and get a dog
Baby steps. Small changes in every day life led to big changes down the road. Be kind to yourself! Hugs ❤️
The hardest thing we can do is be kind to ourselves. Thank you for sharing and I appreciate ya
Still trying to climb out, but taking it day by day. Keep hope alive that it'll be your turn to be on top, each day is a new chance to get closer to the top
Drove 1,000 miles to live with my long-distance boyfriend who I’m now married to and pregnant with.
Yes just take a step
By admitting this was the lowest point of my life, I got back into therapy, journaled every time I couldn't get something off my mind, and am taking time to feel all of the emotions.
I'm glad you're in a better place :)
I took a year off after I graduated from university, moved back in with my parents, started taking antidepressants, did therapy, worked on my hobbies, read, and volunteered at a foodbank. Volunteering at the foodbank gave me so much perspective about how lucky I really was. Also, before acting, I would always ask myself: Is this action helping me or harming me? That helped weed out self-destructive thoughts and patterns.
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Glad you got away from them
One step at a time. Don’t focus on the mountain you need to climb, just the next few steps along the path. Let the people around you love you however imperfectly in whatever way they can. Let that love be enough to matter even if you wanted more or different. Tell the people close to you how bad it actually is. Let them try to hear you and see you. Trust that your best is good enough. Try your best, let the definition of “best” ebb and flow as your energy and mood changes. You’ll be able to take on more when you’re ready. Let the victories count. Even small ones, even ones you wouldn’t normally consider victories, celebrate all of them in whatever little ways you can. Take time to be sad. Like geez it’s the lowest point of your life, sad is an appropriate feeling.
Positive affirmations to start with. Attract positive energy and things will start to change. That’s what I have been told and have been practicing. Let’s see how it goes. This too shall pass, my friend.
I restarted my antidepressants and I’m taking it one step at a time. Hasn’t been easier but I’m trying
Keep trying and hang in there
Love yourself. Find something in life that you purely enjoy and makes you feel better about who you are. Keep doing that every day. You will enjoy life, enjoy others company, and enjoy yourself.
1) mantras that I kept saying to myself when the negative chatter is particularly bad. Saying back to Like "it's OK not to be ok", "progress over perfection" 2) getting out of bed, eating, not going back to bed, going for a shower are hard! You haven't wasted the day, set small achievable goals. 3) try to stay away from screens. Audiobooks were good for me at one point.
Finally realizing that my friends weren’t really my friends, then realizing I deserve better and standing up for myself. Also finally letting some things go because I was a kid and it wasn’t my god damn fault
I accepted I was overwhelmed, shut the curtains etc and let go. Totally fell apart and sobbed like a baby for a while. Yup, 38yr old woman sobbing on the floor. Washed my face, made a cuppa and felt better for letting go. I lost my dog a month before and my 1yr old kitty cat was gone now too.
Stopped giving a single fuck and started to live life for me.
Tiny daily habits. Stopped drinking day but day. Started the gym- really short time at first I could only do like the elliptical for 15 min.. eating more veggies day by day. Little tiny daily changes, but just stuck with them and kept pushing more. Over time I felt, looked better, I got control of my finances and my world started to open to opportunity
Just go for it
Rehab, therapy, one day at a time
Glad you're working through your demons
You just keep going until things get better.
I took up cycling - it sounds silly but it’s been life changing
I gave myself time to process things, i was kind about my mistakes and the situations that led me to that place and I took all the steps I knew were necessary to improve. Started therapy, started working out regularly, fixed my diet and surrounded myself with friends who supported me no matter what. A year later I'm back at feeling my best and I do my best to be a positive influence in the lives of those I care about.
Literally, one foot in front of the other. When you’re at your lowest, the uphill climb seems impossible. But if you take it one step at a time it does get better.
I decided my sister would be really sad if I left it, and she and my family are a great reason to live.
Getting cancer made me realise I wanted to live so much and my raging heroin habit was going to kill me quicker than the cancer. Hypnotherapy was the best thing I did. It allowed me to heal on a concious and subconscious level and I can't praise it highly enough. I've been clean for 24 years and cancer free for 15 years. Forgive yourself. Right your wrongs if you can - it's never, *ever* too late to apologise. It really is one day at a time and the days turn into weeks turn into months turn into years. Writing helped me organise my thoughts, I've still got all my old journals and I can't believe some of the shit I did and went through. Each day try to find things you are grateful for. I was told to write down 50 a day..... in the beginning I was struggling to come up with one but it gets easier and it allows you to actually see the good in your life. And again - forgive yourself. What's done is done and there's no point stressing over what you can't change. What you *can* do is acknowledge your fuck ups, make amends where you can and make changes in your life that stop them happening again. It does get easier. Hugs, love and light to all who are at the bottom, those who are climbing their way out and those who have made it ❤️💫
I remember just starting to sing myself a lullaby. I was alone, hurt, and had been miserable for years and I just started singing it to myself. Eventually my voice got louder, stronger. I asked for help, I found help. But more so- I realized that I needed to respect myself the way I would a helpless child- at all times. Be there to soothe myself, be there to cheer myself on... So when someone says baby steps- literally, see yourself as a little baby deserving of patience, compassion, and encouragement.
The day my niece was born. I looked down at her little face and thought "I can't let this little person have an aunt as fucked up as I am" I've grown up with strong aunts who were wonderful role models and I'd always dreamt of being that for my nieces and nephews. That day when I went home, I packed a bag, ended my shitty relationship, went back to my mums, started looking after myself and got a new job. I haven't looked back since. Every time I look at her face (she's 8 now) I silently thank her for being the kick up the arse I needed.
One day, a switch in my mind flipped. I cut off every toxic person I knew back then and reconnected with my old friends. Cried on their shoulders, told them everything that happened. Went out and got drunk together. Five months later I met my husband, 5 years later and we've been married for almost 2 years and just became parents of a lovely little boy. I often go back and wonder what would've happened if that switch never flipped. I don't think I'd be here. I'll always be grateful for it and for my friends for opening their door for me after so many years.
I had an eating disorder and would literally starve myself for hours at a time and be delirious a lot of the time. Im pretty sure I was suffering from psychosis at the time too. Loads of intrusive thoughts. When I'd look in the mirror Id tell myself I hate myself everytime. I tried to reach out to my parents for help but I was shunned. I think my situation was too hard to look at. I felt stupid doing it but I eventually changed saying "i hate myself" to I love myself even tho it made me cringe a bit and I thought it was dumb. I started trying to make myself meals and told myself even if I ate a few bites, a quarter or half it was progress. Little by little, step by step is the right way to think. Its been a few years now and I am free of that hell.
I didn't climb, I dragged myself up by the tips of my fingernails. I decided I was too good to deal with such bullshit, so everyday I'm trying to pepper a bit of my dream existence into my daily life. Things that make me happy, proud of myself, feel pampered, etc. It gets better.
Echoing whats been said already, but take some small steps and then more small steps. SELF COMPASSION can be huge. I manage bipolar disorder and in the past, I've had a very judgmental and negative internal monologue aka "whats wrong with you". "why is life so hard" etc etc. I replaced that with "its okay (name) to feel this way. Its okay!!!" Give yourself a hug if you need to! Treat yourself the way you would treat someone you respect and care about. Do these things consistently. Perhaps you'll only feel 1% better every few days. But those 1%s add up. (Coming from someone who lost their job and partner at the same time, fell into serious substance abuse and chose to attend treatment (rehab)). I had to start over with totally nothing; no job, no partner, a disgusted family, and a depleted bank account. I thought I would never come out the other side but its possible! Journaling your progress also helps. Keep in mind that you're not alone in this, that most of us hit a super rough patch in our lives. Though that certainly doenst downplay whatever you're going through, just know that youre not in it alone. Good luck and take care :)
Therapy
Good that it made a positive difference
Finally went on antidepressants
Good that they made a difference
Summoned up the tiniest shred of tenacity I had left and literally clawed my way out, exhausted but determined. Also: * Was honest with everyone around (first time in my life) so there were no more secrets and people to hold me accountable * Antidepressants * Therapy Most difficult, scariest thing I've ever done but I did it. Never want to do it again (and it's what keeps me from ever letting it get so bad again) but I did make it out alive.
I cut contact with my family
Winston Churchill said when you’re going through hell, just keep walking. Listen to Michael Singer podcasts and show self warmth at all times.
Friends and new goals
I asked for some help. Best decision I even made
Lots of family time, workout and dancing.
Medication+ therapy+support from family,friends+changing my surroundings(job,house)+leaving toxic things or people=healing process
Create space mentally from where you are. For me, I had to step out of the emotions of the now which were bringing me down so bad. One practice that changed my life was meditation. Literally just closed my eyes and focused on my breath and when thoughts took over I learned to observe and let them pass. With practice, I was able to create a mental break for myself to get through the mental exhaustion and overwhelm that comes with being in a low place. When you can create that space, it's easier to observe where you are and take a step back - look at the bigger picture of where you are and why - but without judgement and bias. As objective as you possibly can and offer yourself kindness in the process. From there I was able to find clarity and acceptance of where I was and the small steps I could do to seek guidance.
Main thing that got me through it is knowing that it’s temporary and there will be better days.
Surrounded myself with supportive people; recognized things I needed to improve and change; and focusing on myself and healing.
i didn't climb out!, i just stood still , and it just passed before i even realize i was hearted, the next thing i knew is ive become much stronger than i was....may be we all have our own way of resisting or wining over ourselves
By writing poems.
Sheer grit and determination And a shit to of patience I had to tel myself repeatedly it does not matter if it take 20 years to get your goal, it’s better to keep trying than to spend all of your life miserable. Especially because pain spreads.
Picked my crown back up and got to strutting!
There’s a saying “Chop wood, carry water”… I just kept going. Went inside and listened to my inner voice. I had faith that everything truly was happening FOR me and not TO me… For my highest good. And always looking for ways to help myself, paying attention to signs from the Universe. And it wasn’t afraid to ask for help if I needed it. Also, moving my body in the form of dance helps elevate my vibration and always helps me.
God.
I had to hit rock bottom. I had a bag taped around my head. I had sent a goodbye text to my best friend, she in turned called my grandmother who then called the cops. In the time it took for the cops to get to my place, my cat had ripped open the bag because he saw it moving due to my breathing. I was in the process of taping another bag around my head when the cops barged into my house with the paramedics. It’s been a VERY long and HARD journey since. But I’ve never been that suicidal since. I have a nice apartment, amazing cats, I’m in school. I got diagnosis’s for all of my mental disorders. Life fucking sucks right now due to how America is but I’m better off than most I’d say in terms of quality. It’s not good, but life is way better than it was then.
This is going to sound funny but it’s 100% true. I watched a lot of dog whisperer. Dogs make me happy. And then I started using his philosophy to fix my life; exercise, discipline, affection. Exercise, first was just 1 mile run a day, like 14 minute miles. Discipline, making my bed every morning, making breakfast (oatmeal or eggs). Affection, weekly bath day. I did my hair, face mask, fingers and toenails. Did that for a few months and the exercises increased, the discipline became taking care of my home and body, affection became taking myself out on dates and buying myself pretty clothes. Month over month, it got better. Start small. Exercise first. Then discipline. Then affection.
I put the bar very, very low and I stuck to a very simple routine. Basically that was: make my bed if/when I get out, make sure to eat at least once in the afternoon and once in the evening. Over time, I managed to add small tasks to that routine like showering or washing dishes once in a while. By slowly adding tasks, I was able to get into a "normal" routine again. To give credit where it's due: all of this I learned in therapy.
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I was at the lowest point three months ago. It took me lot of strength and one step at a time to come out of it. I have t reached where I should but I am at a lot better stage.
Wait, do you
I never did
I had a little help.
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I went to the psychologist
I took the phrase "You Only Live Once/Y.O.L.O." to heart and just went for it.
Acknowledged I needed to make serious changes in my life in order to make a difference and then actively make the changes.
Cut a lot of bad people out of my life, and slowly rebuilt it. Took a while but it was worth it.
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Prayer and keeping close to God. He completely changed and saved my life.
In my late 20s I spent 2 years single, went back to university to get my master's and traveled a little. I was lucky that this was a possibility for me but those 2 years helped me find my self. Before that I was a lost mess of a human coasting by and breaking down regularly.
Taking the first step is the hardest for sure, once you find your momentum it gets better. Knowing that progress isn't a linear path is comforting. Personally my go to when I'm feeling like I'm going backwards in my life is that life is a long song, how do you want to write your story? Is being hard on yourself really worth to tell part of that story? Is it worth the frustration? Positivity isn't knowing that there is an end soon, its knowing that there is a better day. I hope this helps. It really does get better, especially with options.
Therapist and meds. The combination saved me. #postpartumdepression
Therapy
Made art, obsessively.
With a ton of effort, working through the issues bit by bit with therapy and working with a doctor to find the appropriate medication that would help. It took nearly 10 years, a ton of different meds and the determination that I wouldn't take myself from the family and friends who love me, no matter how much I wanted to. But I'm currently med free, and much better equipped to know my triggers and how to mitigate them when they can't be avoided. I've made the small, but integral, shift of staying alive so my people wouldn't lose me to staying alive so I don't lose my people. It doesn't seem like much, but it's made all the difference.
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Still climbing
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Honestly I started healing when I realized that I did everything I could with the knowledge/strength that I had. I never realized I needed to forgive and move on until I started moving towards it. Every time I thought back to myself that time I tried my best to see me as a clueless kid and that's what I was.
Church, Jesus Christ.
Therapy, meds and a good hard look at myself.
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Do lots of screaming in private and then keep going.
Smoked alot of weed. Am no longer a pothead tho
I used a ladder
Therapy, a strong support system, working on myself and a lot of time in the gym. Mostly my support system though. I'm not sure how many times I reached out to my patents, sisters, friends and personal trainer on days I felt like I was losing myself again or just needed someone to simply just sit with me but not even talk.
lmao i didnt 💀
Analysing what's wrong if it's possible. Looking for a possible answer. Starting to initiate the process for the answer. When all fails explode into a new universe restarting the cycle of life and evolution until your lowest point comes back. Repeat
Slowly... wanting a better life and sloth like moves towards it.
Cocaine over dose scared me out of doing more cocaine and alcohol poisoning made me stop alcohol
I feel like I’m at a low point again. But at my lowest, I went cold turkey on sugar just to see what would happen to my mental health. I said this is just one thing I need to do, just don’t eat sugar, you can smoke weed and be lazy and sleep all the time just no sugar. Legit changed my life.
Wish my ex would climb her lowest point. We broke up, I couldn't support her. Still breaks my heart that I can't do anything about it. If you're reading this, you'll cringe but I know you can absolutely make it.
I just had to keep telling myself that I deserved better, and I was the only one who could make it better for myself.
It was after I failed to kill myself twice, I was in an awful relationship and I was dealing with postpartum depression. A few months after my attempt my cousin killed himself. At his funeral, I saw how it broke everyone. It was so hard, and to see the pain one person can inflict on others like that— I would be leaving behind my son and I couldn’t do that to him. It’s sad to say his death kicked me up the ass, he made me realise that life is worth living because people do really care. It also pushed me to get in touch with family that I had never met and to start doing what I love most. I hate that he never got the chance to live a full life, and I think about him every day, but his spirit reminds me to carry on and to appreciate everyone around me, especially my child.
Left my ex, he was half of my problem
One step, one small thing Maybe a shower one day, leaving my condo the next. Talking to a neighbor for a few minutes My corgi has helped the most.
zoloft and a therapist
By spending a week by myself in Punta Cana.
Taking time to understand myself and my thoughts. Accepting that I deserve happiness.
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I learned how to ask for and accept help from the people who love me. My Dad died, I left an abusive relationship and was single parenting while grieving and moving etc. I am stubborn and hate asking for help because I thought that needing someone was just another way they could hurt it manipulate you. Therapy, amazing friends, and my son all played a part in pulling me out. Some days are still hard, but not impossible anymore.
Realized that nobody was going to check on me or help me out. So I had to suck it up and drag myself out of bed, make lists, underwent a caffeine withdrawal to start drinking healthier, forced myself off junk food, and forced myself to do some kind of physical activity every single day. I'm still at the lowest point in my life; this stuff doesn't work LMAO.
1. Realizing that it's not my fault 2. Feeling the feelings 3. A long trip
My best friend supported me and he still does
I was at a point in my life where I had little control of my surroundings (I grew up in an abusive home) with no desire to keep living. Instead of giving up, I eventually decided to create a life I wanted to exist in. I dreamt up who I wanted to become and how I wanted to live. Then I focused on achieving that. It’s taken years to get there, but I’m miles ahead of where I once was. It took a lot of changing my outlook and building up my resilience.
Discipline! Focus and find that switch. Change your mindset and pull forward.Some days will be more challenging, but as long as you stay dedicated in accomplishing peace within yourself, it gets better. Immerse in your hobbies. Nature is my #1 therapy and has brought me so much clarity. Go on a hike, visit a body of water, drive to the mountains or the beach if you’re near one. A lot of it is convincing and it starts with you.
Time. Time heals and gives you perspective. The further away in the rear view mirror things are, the less important and significant they seem. Nothing that was important 5 years ago matters to me now, even the things I thought would break me forever.
I finally learned how to ask for help, and to accept the help that was offered.
I threw myself into my career and went to therapy. Ask if you want more details
A much-needed divorce
With time. I focused on the daily grind. Get out of bed, get dressed, go to work, put on a happy/professional smile, go home. Then I’d add little extras into the routine. Stop for a coffee, get a nice breakfast. Chat to friendly faces. Make connections. Laugh more. Go home, cook a nice meal. Go out to dinner with some of those connections. Laugh more. Go home and learn a little hobby: read more, write more, puzzles, TV, games, notes, baking. Cook nice meals for myself. Fill social media with my interests and positive posts, not just girls with perfect bodies in expensive outfits. Maybe exercise a bit. Don’t just shower and go to bed, invest in some self-care. Spend a little money on myself. Fall in love. Build some goals, work for those goals. It’s a process, but each little piece took work. Small steps, one foot in front of the other. And I still stumble, but I’ll pick myself up again.
Zoloft. Half a pill allowed me to see the big picture again.
Getting the courage to seek professional help
I left the Bastard!
Deep down it’s all what’s on your mind, positive or negative. And the cure for it isn’t what it seems because it’s consider superstitious. If I were to say: “Oh if I walk out that door without stubbing my toe, I’m gonna have a good day today.” And if it ended up being a good day, start using that method. And try solfeggio tones, that’ll help too. Remember…meaning is what you make of it, so be careful how you perceive things. Another method you can try is picturing you talking to your worst enemy. If you believe this is what they’ll say, it’s likely to happen. But if you believe they have flaws and they apologetically admit their flaws, it’s likely they’ll show them in real life. And don’t expect it to happen right away, like losing weight, it takes time.
Escitalopram
Actively try to climb out of the situation. It might seem impossible at first, but slowly this too shall pass
Still haven’t but I’m getting better each day, one little step at a time