Welcome! Introduce yourself here 🙂

[Shaz51]

Hello @Till23 

I am off to bed but will reply tomorrow xx

@Ru-bee , @tyme , @rav3n , @Jynx 

[Till23]

Thanks @Shaz51 

I completely understand - there is no urgency to respond 

[Jynx]

Thanks for the tag @Shaz51 😉

@Till23 So you'll see floating around a few different titles. The Peer Support Workers, Community Leads, and Moderators are paid SANE Staff, and the Community Guides and Peer Guides are our volunteers!! 

[tyme]

Hi there @Till23 , Welcome to the forums! Great to see you. How are you today?

[Till23]

Thanks @tyme 

It’s difficult but I am managing - not as well as I previously have, but I suppose it’s a cycle. I’ve been through these cycles before. So I just have to do the best that I can and maintain some kind of hope that I will feel a bit better at some stage.

[Fredd50]

Hi,

I used to use the forums a few years ago but haven’t been here in a while

I have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder , CPTSD and borderline personality disorder 

I am very isolated and find it hard to meet people and make connections 

I’m hoping to find some like minded people on here to talk about life and mental illness

hope everyone is going okay or will be soon if not 

[tyme]

Hey there @Till23 , I hear that hope is what keeps us going. 

How are you today?

[Till23]

Hi @tyme 

Thanks for asking, I’ve had better days, but I am ok.  
I keep hoping for better days.

I am trying to keep myself informed about MH issues and these forums help you to not feel so isolated.

 I hope you are ok as well @tyme 

[tyme]

I'm glad to hear the forums help you feel less alone @Till23 

What are things you like to do in your free time - or things that help your mental health?

[Till23]

Hi @tyme - sorry for delayed response I had to go to capital city for a physical health appointment. 
Thanks for your question.

I used to love photography but I find for last few years I don’t feel interested anymore, but that was mostly just by myself.

I love my dogs - unfortunately one passed away in 2023 and the other is nearing the end now, he’s too old to walk anywhere except in my street which is a cul-de/sac with a little bushy area at the end, he enjoys it. My dogs have been a real help in the past.

I like walking in nature in state forests, national parks, the beach, the bush in general, mostly I do that alone, or where permissible with my dogs in the past.

I’ve recently taken up a team sport so that’s good because as well as exercise it has social aspects.

 I usually find where people are involved I feel like I am behind a glass wall, I can interact with them, but I don’t feel a connection, so I find social things difficult- which is why sport is good because the social aspect is not the sole or main aim.

 I am hoping to do some volunteer work as well now.

 I try to do things but I still feel I lack real connection with people. Maybe with more time now and less stress from work, and some therapy I can find that.

 I just have to keep trying