How did you survived the lowest. darkest periods of your life?

[Akkush]

Just curious, need some inspiration...

[User]

listen to metal and go for lots of walks

[jawn galliano]

i often wonder how i managed this, but what i can tell you is i did not go about it in a healthy way. for me, i think the answer mostly consists of dumb luck and the good fortune to have not completely alienated all of my friends and family.

in terms of practical advice though i'm not sure what i can offer. if you are like me and have a tendency to spend extreme amounts of time tethered to screens and devices and firehoses of information, the faster you reduce that portion of time, the better. i suppose everyone is different, but for me, that tends to keep my attention and thoughts focused towards one direction and away from another, which for me kind of precludes tending to ones thoughts in a healthy or productive way. go for lots of walks, preferably with tunes and without online. listen to things that resonate with that darkness sparingly, it's fine to do so in small doses, but that can be a trap.

[Methuselah Honeysuckle]

i often wonder how i managed this, but what i can tell you is i did not go about it in a healthy way. for me, i think the answer mostly consists of dumb luck and the good fortune to have not completely alienated all of my friends and family.

Mostly all of this. It's still incredible I didn't spiral out of control on anything harder than booze.

[Mesarthim]

Greatly reducing my use of and then eventually deleted all social media helped tremendously. Only places I still frequent are those that have the option to remain anonymous, assuming you don’t dox yourself. Cutting toxic people out of your life is a must, doesn’t matter if they are family - not having to deal with or hear about all the bullshit drama is excellent.

I also greatly reduced my alcohol intake which helped my mood and overall health - and speaking of health, just trying to eat more balanced meals (I’ll never be vegan but I try to eat a lot of vegetables to go with the large amount of meat and cheese that I do eat and sometimes I will even have meatless meals). Going to the gym too, I have found can be very cathartic.

[Corpsepyre]

Binge eating (I know), being alone and lost in music and gaming, for the most part. Recently me and my mother cut out a lot of people in my life, or rather they were cut out regardless due to some reasons I can't get into right now, and that helped us tremendously.

[shadowalk]

i often wonder how i managed this, but what i can tell you is i did not go about it in a healthy way. for me, i think the answer mostly consists of dumb luck and the good fortune to have not completely alienated all of my friends and family.

Mostly all of this. It's still incredible I didn't spiral out of control on anything harder than booze.

This...also, feelings of apathy and misanthropy seem to help.

[Ninny]

listen to metal and go for lots of walks

Long walks help a lot, might be the rhythm of it
Loud rock music but also sad songs
Heavy drinking
I recently read an article on the stoics. I want to read more when I find the time. One thought (freely interpreted) was to place this period in a larger time scale. The phase you are in now is just a little part of your life. There are others before and after you that struggle(d). Also do not worry about things that are not in your hands to improve. But try your best if you can

[Grudge]

Firstly, what would be considered the lowest darkest period in my life might in someone else's life be a fortunate position to be in. My worst situation will never compare to someone going through a debilitating drug addiction or homelessness for example.

Speaking purely for myself, I get through downer situations in a few ways, sure. I mostly have to deal with it without other people's help. The pandemic didn't do society any favors by making many of us work from home and tearing up social and f.riend networks.

I watch comedy clips and get some laughs. I've been watching MadTV clips on YouTube a lot lately. Also I try to be able to laugh at my own situation if I have a f.riend to do that with. Having close family and friends helps a lot.

When it's tough to pass time and forget about troubles, ain't no harm having a drink to drown that sorrow, but I draw a line on overdoing it. Developing any addiction is no answer to life's problems. Have self control. Pass time to forget shit that's bothering you any way you like. Some people stuff themselves with food, some play video games, whatever. I do these too.

I keep an eye out for any and all good news. When something good happens in the world, and I find out about it, it makes me feel good too. There are plenty of examples where people go through tough situations and make it out OK. Keep an eye out for those.

Most importantly I chart out a long-term plan for getting back on track or getting out of the situation. There needs to be something positive to look forward to and concentrate one's efforts towards. Make the necessary changes in your life and march towards your goals with discipline. If like Luke says, going for long walks to think things over helps you plan things, do it. I do that too. I sometimes drive and just think. Or think alone at restaurants or bars.

[Ryeknow]

Music

[deckard]

ill let you know

[Z's bouncy tits]

Still living it.

My family are scum, except my twin sister. She's the only one who has helped in any capacity since both parents are gone.

[zim]

ill let you know

[Akkush]

Thank you for the replies!

Well for me, music, but mostly if I go outside and do something useful around the house.

But it's fucking hard without friends of a supporting family...

(By the way, I'm a divorced father, my kid is with her mother, far away from me. Been single for six years now...)

[Abzu]

Music and the highly tedious distraction of shiny hunting in pokemon games

[vO)))id]

Huge piles of lesbian porn.

[Abzu]

This is the way

[jawn galliano]

also i think a lot of it in my more recent years is just down to resillience from having lived with depressions of varying length and severity since i was a kid. i am a lot better at dispelling them now. which probably isn't remotely helpful but, it is a skill that can be cultivated!

[Methuselah Honeysuckle]

Bottle that up, sell it and get rich my dude

[zim]

honestly i'm not sure how i've gotten through my toughest moments. i've never resorted to alcohol or substance. really just a lot of sitting around watching tv and just being sad and/or stressed. going out for walks helps sometimes, spending time with the girlfriend. i could never harm myself because i know there are people it would hurt far worse so it isn't worth it.

things do seem to suck pretty often lately but i keep myself going knowing my dad wouldn't want me to give up so i will continue to survive for him

[Verbal]

your all gay

[User]

so that's how johnny does it

[Verbal]

no u are

[Z's bouncy tits]

My all gay is fine.

[Ninny]

That distance from a child seems particularly testing

[deckard]

That distance from a child seems particularly testing

???

[agony bagony]

ninny is nightcrawling

[deckard]

i dont remember if there was context here but ummm

[Akkush]

Maybe he was replying to me:

Thank you for the replies!

Well for me, music, but mostly if I go outside and do something useful around the house.

But it's fucking hard without friends of a supporting family...

(By the way, I'm a divorced father, my kid is with her mother, far away from me. Been single for six years now...)

[vO)))id]

Oh... now that makes sense.