What are some effective ways to get out of your broke, depressed, hopeless slump?
In all seriousness though, it's tough. Sometimes it's as easy telling yourself you're breaking free of whatever it is that ails you. But in my experience, it's usually a long self reflective process of figuring out what you think will make you happy, what currently makes your unhappy, and changing the weight on those scales.
One time not so long ago I finally had an epiphany that no matter what, it was going to be ok. Worst case scenario, I lose everything, and end up a drifter working as a short order cook. Then I realized, that wouldn't be so bad! Since then, life has mostly been much more tolerable.
Don't worry man, be happy. Seriously.
I think that the sort of serenity you described is exactly what happens when people are successful at giving Jesus the wheel. They just don't happen to get that they are denying themselves credit for this personal development.
Look up the 'Reserve Army Of Labour'.
Unemployment is deliberately cultivated. There will always be more people than jobs.
Don't define yourself by your employment status.
I'm going to side with @wordywalt on this one. "Behavioral Activation." As a person trained in behavioral health, I encourage you to read the 2 sentences about it's Basic Premise: [div12.org]
Sometimes we need to get out of the house (volunteer, exercise, people watch, people meet, connect)... sometimes we need to consider a new job...and sometimes we just need a fresh haircut. Otherwise, if something is eating at you, find someone you can tell... and know that it will all work itself out, and that you gotta keep digging if you're going to find more gold.
Been battling this myself. Stop thinking about all the idiots you've been hung up on or that have screwed you over, stop thinking about your failures, stop thinking about the past, stop worrying about the future, stop comparing yourself to others, or thinking you need to be at a certain point in life, stop caring what people think unless they're a source of income, work your friggin ass off, do things you love to do when you can't work your ass off. You're better than this, you need to convince your self of that, and start making better decisions. You probably won't be lucky enough to die tomorrow, and you shouldn't want to unless you're a selfish prick quitter, so plan on being alive, and eating that pain for breakfast every damn day, until you're at a point you can relax a little and find some happiness, and then keep going, but remember you're life will never be perfect and you need to be ok with that. If you need help, get it, from friends, professionals, or random people online there's no shame in needing support or an outside opinion. Take breaks or mental health days when you can. If you screw up again, acknowledge it, process it, let it go, and move on. Just keep effin going.That's what I try to tell myself anyway. Easier said than done, harder to follow advice than to give it, but always be honest with yourself.
Every sad, fearful, or guilty feeling can be traced directly to an untrue thought. Every day of unhappiness, loneliness, bitterness and depression can be traced directly to wallowing in those untrue thoughts. That’s my opinion anyway.
One answer to the question is to read and follow the books of Dr.Maxie Maultsby Jr. That’s what I did, and the result was spectacular.
Thanks.
I'm going through the grieving process right now. I find when things get real bad, I have to force myself to do something, anything, to break the inertia. I write down tasks and goals to make me more likely to work on them. Once I get moving, momentum takes over, I do more things, and I start to feel better. It may only last a few hours, but it helps. I find time outside very helpful as well; studies have shown exposure to tress improves overall mental health.
Can you afford a gym membership? They'll have showers there and you can workout too. Working out helps with dopamine and serotonin levels. Showers can be uplifting and maybe you can find work without necessarily looking homeless
*Hopeless, not homeless. <3
Oof, I can't be sure how you feel but I'm sure it's rough. For me every time I get out of a depression I start small even if I just get ready take a shower and cut my hair and even if i don't go anywhere I feel better going through the ritual. Everything hinges on sleep try to wake up in the Sun rises not all at once but I adjusted my sleep schedule about an hour at a time. I started donating plasma and mowing lawns and what ever to get money. can be lot of things even around the neighborhood. At first I try to isolate and get it all out that turns into the usual gloom and doom and is terrible advice as it Fosters depression. so I force myself however painful to hang out with at least one person. Go one place maybe pick up a book even if I read a couple Pages out of twenty and try to write something. And also for me it sucks to hear just buck up champ" or whatever. But if you have the chance to reach out you can see that you're not alone.
This is how i do it, roughly speaking:
Get away from south Mississippi. The worst place on the planet. For real.
I currently live in South MS., and this is the best advice I've seen..It truly is a depressed, repressed suppresed hell hole..Hoping to get out soon!!
Contact your local VA Center and ask to be assigned a peer counselor. Reach out to other vets and join a support group. Work on bettering your education/experience so that you can get better employment to alleviate the "broke" problem. Make short-term and long-term goals. Do at least 3 things everyday to work toward those goals. Eat right. Get enough sleep. Don't self-medicate with any chemicals.
Long drives to no where and back on another road. Long hikes in the wilderness. Make this part of a routine when the weather is nice and when it is not do what has to be done, but always use good weather to get out and about.
Broke? Are you working? If not, why not? Depressed? The right meds can help. They did for me. I am an expert on depression as I have dealt with it my entire life and as it seems to be a condition that afflicted my great grandmother, my grandmother, my mother, and myself. Also, getting a job helps. Regular exercise helps. All vitamin Bs help. Forcing yourself out for social events help. If your house is a wreck, a common side effect of depression, force yourself to start cleaning it. It helps. Join a support group and talk about what makes you sad. Getting it out helps. I know what I say.
Be kind to yourself. I know when I get into a funk I engage in negative self-talk, which only makes it worse. And try not to look at the big picture because it can feel overwhelming and discouraging: focus on one small doable thing that can help you, one step at a time. Even if it's just one thing a day. And give yourself a big pat on the back for accomplishing it.
If you are depressed and hopeless because you're broke Thats an easy fix.
Place this ad in the local paper once a week for four weeks.
"FREE Demolition. Call Jessie at (phone#)"
People will call you because they don't want to pay $10 to $25k to demolish a building.
When you see some buildings you like give the guy a $1 for the salvage rights for 90 days.
Auction the houses on eBay, NO RESERVE MUST BE MOVED and keep the proceeds from the auctions.
The ads might cost you $40
If you or anybody else wants to do this and has questions or need encouragement you can text me at 434-709-5947
Tom
They say that CBD oil stops depression and also heals many serious issues, such as seizures.
Other stop gap measures..take a long walk at dawn to reset your thyroid for elevated mood and energy, eat fish, put a few drops of food grade iodine in your drink, also listen to upbeat favorite music since studies show it's as effective for raising the mood as antidepressants.
You can take 5-htp, magnesium, St. John's Wort-all found at WalMart, and cheap. Powdered Mexican Sarsaparilla (root beer powder) also raises the mood, and stimulates the body to produce more testosterone, if it's low.
Get a cuddly pet, watch funny Netflix shows, avoid highly processed food as the additives can affect people.
About being broke, you can tap into your unconscious, which never forgets anything and is able to tap into forgotten information, by doing a modified sort of meditation where you get comfortable, then focus on ambient noise. Keep doing so until your brain sort of goes out of focus and you find yourself sort of "waking up" later, with no awareness of the passing of time.
When I do that, I find the answers just coming to me, things start working out, ideas pop into my mind.
This may not work for you. But I like to move furniture. I know 100% I have zero control over what happens outside my home. Moving furniture gives me the immediate payoff of seeing a change. It releases pent up aggression. And I feel more able to cope with the fact that I can't control things that drive me nuts. I hope this helps.
Get mad. At yourself. Commit your time to a future commitment, maybe an ongoing one. Like a charity , a club, or community service. Be sure a tell someone you will be there. Make more appointments from these. Eventually you will get into some kind of pattern where your time is useful, you will feel more needed, people will depend on you, you will feel more fulfilled.