Rate your current mental health level out of 10

[Locke]

Originally Posted by fotze2

I think I'd prefer that to the lady who started into the teas i needed to take five mins in and the rest of the time. Ypu mean wolfsbane isn't going to help. She even had a link with her name on the link to get 'credits' if i bought the drops ant tincturs. I can't even spell it. I even bought some like an idiot. She was a one and done with the pyramid scam nonsense.

What? How did you get into it with some therapist that was trying to sell you something?

I've never experienced that. That'd be so many red flags it'd look like an old-school Soviet Parade.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Locke

What? How did you get into it with some therapist that was trying to sell you something?

I've never experienced that. That'd be so many red flags it'd look like an old-school Soviet Parade.

Employee assistance program. That's totally confidential.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Employee assistance program. That's totally confidential.

They're already getting paid through the EAP, grifting you for other products seems wholly unethical.

[TheScorpion]

Right now I'm fluctuating between a 2 and a 3 most days. A lot of rumination, regret, and the like about various different traumas from when I was growing up. That voice inside my head telling me that I'm some kind of monster who deserves to feel this way. This isn't new, I've dealt with severe anxiety and depression for a long time, and I suspect there might be undiagnosed OCD somewhere in there, too. But today, I'm out for a walk, having a smoothie, thinking about starting a new job, and trying to maintain that space within myself for compassion and forgiveness. It's hard when you're the only one you get to inhabit 24/7. You don't get the sense of what other people have done, other people have been through — it's just you, and it's easy to fall into the trap of defeatism and isolation. But I know I'll get through this.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Right now I'm fluctuating between a 2 and a 3 most days. A lot of rumination, regret, and the like about various different traumas from when I was growing up. That voice inside my head telling me that I'm some kind of monster who deserves to feel this way. This isn't new, I've dealt with severe anxiety and depression for a long time, and I suspect there might be undiagnosed OCD somewhere in there, too. But today, I'm out for a walk, having a smoothie, thinking about starting a new job, and trying to maintain that space within myself for compassion and forgiveness. It's hard when you're the only one you get to inhabit 24/7. You don't get the sense of what other people have done, other people have been through — it's just you, and it's easy to fall into the trap of defeatism and isolation. But I know I'll get through this.

You are not alone in that battle! There isn't a soul on this planet that does not have a skeleton similar to yours hanging in their closet. I am one of them and am always available to talk should you just want to get things off your shoulders.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Cheese

You are not alone in that battle! There isn't a soul on this planet that does not have a skeleton similar to yours hanging in their closet. I am one of them and am always available to talk should you just want to get things off your shoulders.

I've talked to Billy Cheese a few times the past week. He's a great chat. Beauty.

Having met you and spending time with you, you are not a monster. If you are going through this this early, get on it it's gonna be real bad if you push it down as males tend to do and turn it into cancer or other hthings. I phoned the guys trout suggested yesterday.

You know you can phone me anytime. You are fataing awesome. Always remember that and know it to be true. I got molo'd early and ignored it until now where it is re-surfaced of late. It's embarassing to tell anyone. Great people here.

[Jiri Hrdina]

One of the tricks I use is to negotiate with that voice. He's a dick but he can be reasoned with.
So for instance when something is weighing on me, I will make a deal that I don't have to worry about that thing today. I will tell the voice "I'm not saying we don't need to worry about this, but how about we agree to not worry about it today. We can get back at it tomorrow".

Obviously at some point you have to try to deal with the stuff, but that's different from listening to that pesky voice. I find making those little deals with myself, at least shuts him up for a day sometimes.

But yeah that voice is a real dick. Eff that guy.

[TheScorpion]

Just want to thank everyone who has reached out, sent me a PM, given me a call, etc. Means a lot. I'm on the mend and out for a nice dinner tonight. We'll get through it all together.

[Otto-matic]

2-3 right now

My partner's doctor found a 1cm lump in her breast. I know its probably most likely a fibroadenoma but a part of me is really worried about the worst. Just thinking about a disease ripping away another loved one is really getting to me, I'm keeping my worry and stress buried and to myself until she gets her ultrasound.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

1-2 right now

My partner's doctor found a 1cm lump in her breast. I know its probably most likely a fibroadenoma but a part of me is really worried about the worst. Just thinking about a disease ripping away another loved one is really getting to me, I'm keeping my worry and stress buried and to myself until she gets her ultrasound.

How old is she.

[Otto-matic]

Originally Posted by fotze2

How old is she.

38, she has youth on her side and seemingly no family history.

[fotze2]

So having my first sesh tomorrow at 5:30 with the guys trout recommended. I'm kinda scared, made sure its late in the day because because its not fair to be a bumbling wreck for a bunch of the day to my employer. Like a first date where you are forced to show yoir dick and be judged. Its daunting. Told them i will have no tolerance to hear about naturopath nonsense and i will walk out and not pay. They sais absolutely, its against our ethics. Also religion is not my thing. Lets see.

It seems joking and humour are the only thing in my arsenal, i probably needs a few more.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by fotze2

So having my first sesh tomorrow at 5:30 with the guys trout recommended. I'm kinda scared, made sure its late in the day because because its not fair to be a bumbling wreck for a bunch of the day to my employer. Like a first date where you are forced to show yoir dick and be judged. Its daunting. Told them i will have no tolerance to hear about naturopath nonsense and i will walk out and not pay. They sais absolutely, its against our ethics. Also religion is not my thing. Lets see.

It seems joking and humour are the only thing in my arsenal, i probably needs a few more.

Good luck!

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by fotze2

So having my first sesh tomorrow at 5:30 with the guys trout recommended. I'm kinda scared, made sure its late in the day because because its not fair to be a bumbling wreck for a bunch of the day to my employer. Like a first date where you are forced to show yoir dick and be judged. Its daunting. Told them i will have no tolerance to hear about naturopath nonsense and i will walk out and not pay. They sais absolutely, its against our ethics. Also religion is not my thing. Lets see.

It seems joking and humour are the only thing in my arsenal, i probably needs a few more.

You are braver than me.

I have yet to book anything, even though a nice CP'r recommended someone.

[photon]

Originally Posted by fotze2

i probably needs a few more.

I heard journaling is good!!



Hope it goes well for you.

[marsplasticeraser]

This seems kind of trivial to share considering what others are going through. But greatly reducing time on phone has had a big impact for me so sharing in case others can use this.

Background is I felt increasing anxiety in 2025. In reflecting on this in December it really came down to what is going on in the world and how much crap I was consuming on my phone that upset me.

So January 1 I changed my approach to my phone. I turned it into what I want it to be: Email, maps, camera, music, peloton, and a few other 'useful' apps. This meant that I had to get rid of everything else on the phone that wasn't helping me.


This meant I made some changes to my phone usage:
1. Turned off all notifications. Only people in my contacts can phone me. Every other notification is off. This was surprisingly useful for 'deep work' during the day.

2. Removed reddit and other social apps. I was spending up to an hour on reddit daily. I have FB on the phone but signed out as I am decluttering and selling on Marketplace.

3. Changed news consumption. I kept reading a quality global newspaper for ~15 minutes in the morning. Added 5 substack newsletters I find interesting. Keep browsing CP most days.

4. Put in 'off' time on my phone from 8am to 7pm. Nothing works but 'good' apps I need to work. In addition, I put in daily limits on other 'fun' apps. 15 minutes for safari. 15 minutes for YouTube. I'm sure there are a couple others I did this for.

5. I leave my phone in different room most of the day. This is a huge barrier to just checking it.


These changes have been really good for me and I feel much less anxiety. But there are some interesting benefits I didn't expect:

- I have way more time. I'm not feeling as time crunched in general. House is cleaner and we've been doing well at decluttering.

- I'm more focused at work. All the little bings for an email or message were killing me. Now I just work on my list of stuff and really love this.

- I'm reading about 2x as much and in longer chunks of time. Actually, I'm probably reading more 3x or 4x, but I've had some great books I can't put down.

- I am more present for my family. No longer on my phone after dinner. Started a tradition of watching great films with my oldest, and he's loving this.

- I still reach for my phone all the time and open it, only to have nothing to do. It's kind of weird. This is why I make a point to leave it elsewhere as much as possible.


Anyways, it's kind of remarkable how 'bad' my phone was for me. Your mileage may vary.

[Shazam]

Welp, my contract finished at the end of Jan and my wife just got laid off.

Not sure what to feel. I guess I can retire now. I wanted to work a couple more years.

Her job was a mess, my project was an unorganized pile of work. I've been working for long enough now that encountering idiots shouldn't be surprising but it still surprises me on occasion.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by fotze2

So having my first sesh tomorrow at 5:30 with the guys trout recommended. I'm kinda scared, made sure its late in the day because because its not fair to be a bumbling wreck for a bunch of the day to my employer. Like a first date where you are forced to show yoir dick and be judged. Its daunting. Told them i will have no tolerance to hear about naturopath nonsense and i will walk out and not pay. They sais absolutely, its against our ethics. Also religion is not my thing. Lets see.

It seems joking and humour are the only thing in my arsenal, i probably needs a few more.

Dude, if you want to save yourself a bunch of time and money, then write down a whole document start to finish of your history, where you are now, why you made the appointment, etc. Send it to the guy to read first. Not sure if you'll have time since your appointment is in five hours, but it does cut out all the horse sht of getting to know you. I swear it fast forwards like five appointments and you can start working on what you need to move forward and wrap up the appointments faster. I did that when dealing with my immediate family members knocking off in quick succession and it's a great approach if I do say so myself.

[troutman]

^^ Divorcing our phones can be a game changer.

META is being sued for making apps addictive, like Big Tobacco.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by fotze2

So having my first sesh tomorrow at 5:30 with the guys trout recommended. I'm kinda scared, made sure its late in the day because because its not fair to be a bumbling wreck for a bunch of the day to my employer. Like a first date where you are forced to show yoir dick and be judged. Its daunting. Told them i will have no tolerance to hear about naturopath nonsense and i will walk out and not pay. They sais absolutely, its against our ethics. Also religion is not my thing. Lets see.

It seems joking and humour are the only thing in my arsenal, i probably needs a few more.

They already gave me a heads up and I've booked to have a table selling Bibles and Natural Lemonade right outside.