What keeps you going? / Why do you carry on?

66Mustang

For me it’s hope for the future. If I was guaranteed to forever stay the same as I am now I will admit I would end my life but I have a glimmer of hope that things will get better and that I will have a good life in the future. That is why I carry on through the struggles today.

Interested to hear from others.

Sandy_123

Hi @66Mustang hope your ok, I have children altho grown up, also grandchildren. They all keep me going.
Plus I always think someone is worse off then me. Even tho I have limitations and endless health problems.  I try make most of what I can

OverlyAnxious

I don't have the physical or mental strength to end my own life.  It's been the main desire for me for the past 20 years or so.  But I just can't take the risk of ending up still alive and in an even worse situation.  (I do know a few people who failed attempts).  If there was a simple, sure-fire way of doing it, I wouldn't still be here now.

66Mustang

@Sandy_123 hi I am fine thanks just wondering what keeps people going, no sinister reason behind my post, thanks for sharing yep it's true to think that there is also someone worse off than me, that's a good one. Does remind me though of a quote from Basil in Faulty Towers "If there is someone worse off than me I'd love to meet him, I could do with a laugh".

@OverlyAnxious yep I have been in that exact situation myself for several years when I was at the rock bottom, with no hope about the future. The only thing that stopped me was I was too weak and scared - which ultimately was a good thing! Like you if I had an easy way to do it back then I wouldn't be here now. Don't you have any hope for things to come though, even if they are years ahead? Things can go on and on the same way for years and then something can change almost immediately or within days.

WelshBlue

But for a knock on the door interrupting the pills and a bottle of vodka laid in front of me a few years ago, I wouldn't be annoying people on here.  Didn't want to die as such, but didn't know how to live as I was

I've had an absolutely rubbish week with pain and flashbacks, but now my head is at a place where I can take it.  Tears ...  a great relief source

Family and the resources spent by the NHS on me keep me from stepping off.

Realising how lucky I am in so many ways compared to so many who haven't had/ got the help and support

... also sense of humour.  When I stop laughing at myself, then I'm really in trouble

Be kind to yourself folks, you've got this far when the odds are against you <hug>

I'm going to live until I'm 150 ... if there is a god ... he's having too much fun with me to let me get away early doors

66Mustang

@WelshBlue love the sense of humour.

I can relate if I'm honest, never take anything seriously, including myself.

Sometimes that has got me into trouble though!

But I can honestly say I have never cracked a joke that I wouldn't have cracked against me, and have never intentionally offended anyone.

Richard_Scope

Bloody-mindedness and spite 

rustledjimm

I've had a lot of positive changes recently (besides that energy bill thing), but mostly my partner and very recently my cat.

Trying to work with my therapist to also have the motivation to make my life better just for myself too but I have always put others close to me ahead of myself. They keep me going.

WelshBlue

Richard_Scope said:

Bloody-mindedness and spite 

This sums it up ... brilliant answer.  Love it

@66Mustang ... you wouldn't believe how often my mouth has got me into trouble.  Definitely don't engage my brain at times ... but never any malice meant.  Some people take it in the way it's meant, others not so much.  Not so bad now it's not in a pub setting lol

I think a friend of my daughter summed me up the first time we met - "S***** has told me you're slightly weird with no filter ... I just think you're ever so mad " 

Like you I don't take myself seriously ... life is hard enough.  You come across as a good guy 

@rustledjimm ... good luck moving forward with the therapy, I'm like you and put everyone before myself.
It's weird how we can care for others so easily but not ourselves ... I've just got to believe I'm worth it

woodbine

@66mustang there is always light at the end of the tunnel even if sometimes we don't see it, I tried to end it all once but failed...thankfully, what keeps me going is my family and their support and atm counselling as I'm suffering from depression yet again.
Keep your chin up mate !

Strawberry1

It is really good to talk .

CATP

its my cat, mr shadow who keeps me going every day-threw the thick and thin,im strokinh him on my knee right now actualy,hes trying to make his way onto my hot laptop.

i look at my boy and i know straight away,as hard as life can get,i cant leave him on his own with no human-this has always been the thought patern i try and jump to when im really low.

i also find DJing or listening to pete tongs shows on BBC sounds helpful and having my pictorial schedule done every day at 7am helps.

NewPip

just keep going strong, things will change, I was down many times due to my long health problems, and I was very close to death... Since then I am like a newborn, I go out more often, and many times I just take a bus I don't even know where I am going just to get out of the house..be strong and look after yourself