Is this depression

Based on some initial advice from Jaguar  another user on this forum (see my first post), I realised that getting better was in quite a significant way, in my hands. First of all the most important thing is not to give up. Doing nothing is a sure way to let depression beat you and contributes to feelings of worthlessness, self-criticism, guilt and regret. 

Never forget the essentials- eat, sleep, breathe and exercise - all in moderation and according to what your body tells you. Reduce intake of caffeine and alcohol if possible.

I started trying to fill my day with activity so I wasn't mulling over anxious/negative thoughts. However, I started running into overdrive and became anxious and scattered. So number 2, be active, but don't run yourself into the ground.Don't put so much pressure on yourself to get things done that it compromises your ability to relax/be happy. Take time do things you enjoy. This will boost your productivity and happiness.

I have found, just in the last couple of weeks that this has helped me a lot re trying not to worry about remembering things: 

 -get a notebook

-write a mini short-term calendar (e.g. 3 weeks ahead with blocks for each day but small enough that you can fit the 3 weeks on the one page of a notebook)

-fill in the times you have to be somewhere/meet someone

-write a list of goals you want to do in your life on another page of the notebook

-write in "P1 or P2" etc beside the goals, according to level of priority

-get an idea of which days you need to do which tasks in the short term

-if there’s anything you remember and you are scared of forgetting that you want to get done in the longer term but you’re afraid you’ll forget, then write it down as “things to remember” or, write a list of things you want to do in the longer-term. You can either start working on it from now on and carry on each day or wherever you get time, or just keep it written down in your notebook to refer to after you’ve completed your short-term goals

-on each day or the night before, write a more detailed of list of things you need to do (e.g. break down a task into separate parts etc.). This helps you think of details about the tasks you mightn’t have thought about and gives you a better idea of how you will have to manage your time

TRUST the list you make and keep the notebook in a good place. This way you don’t have to worry about  losing the list. Throw out your daily lists as you go along. They are no longer relevant. If you did not get everything you intended to get done in the day finished, then add it in for the next  day. 

I hope this is relevant and helpful to you. So remember - do your essentials, be active, but take time to relax and do things you enjoy. Keep your notebook with calendar, list of things you want to do and priortise. And then do you daily lists and throw them out at end of each day. Longer-term notes to be kept in same notebook on a different page! 

Hope this helps!

anonymousgirl