Hello all. I have been struggling with anxiety and depression for the last 9 years. It even led me to develop an addiction. I have kicked the addiction, but now I cant seem to change my way of thinking. Does anyone know of any good books or workbooks that changed their toxic thinking habits? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
posted by Truts83
on Apr 1, 2013 -
9 answers
Self-help in the 19th century . . . During the Civil War era, if an ordinary person wanted to improve himself, what resources were available?
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posted by LonnieK
on Mar 1, 2013 -
17 answers
Lets say you have 30 minutes a day for the next six months, and at the end of the six month period you have the vague goal of being an extra awesome, turned-up-to-eleven version of yourself. What types of things do you focus on? What skills/behaviours/changes to your life do you take on to achieve that goal? Big or small changes, it doesn't matter.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson
on Jan 28, 2013 -
23 answers
Hey all. Posting my questions to this community has been very helpful. I'm thankful so far for the advice I've been getting.
This question has to do with something I've been struggling with my whole adulthood. I was diagnosed with clinical depression in my teens, and since then it's really limited a lot of what I can do. It didn't help much that I married a very overbearing person when I was 19 who basically took over my life for me. I left him two years ago and I've been recovering from my depression thanks to medication and a lot of self help techniques. I've started exercising and eating right, and I've lost weight, which I'm happy about. My next goal is to become self sufficient. My work ethic needs help though because I have a lot of trouble getting things done. I believe it stems from all those years I spent in deep depression and not being able to take care of myself. I procrastinate out of being overwhelmed and fearful of outcomes. I wouldn't call it laziness. It's just tough for me to learn a new way of living. Any advice on how to deal with this and improve my work ethic? I believe it's due time I start getting out of my own way.
Thank you MeFi community. :)
posted by Cybria
on Jan 24, 2013 -
12 answers
Can anybody recommend a book that will teach me how to be assertive without sounding bitchy? Or, maybe it's a self-esteem issue that I'm dealing with. I'd like to communicate better.
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posted by little_dog_laughing
on Jan 9, 2013 -
11 answers
I’ve been researching a lot, and have read time and time again, that during interviews, you’re also interviewing the employer to see if you’re a “good fit” together and that you should never seem desperate for a job, but rather, you should pretend money is no object and you’re only there because you think it would be fun, etc. The question is—how do you do this when you are in fact desperate for money and you need a job ASAP? (long-winded details behind cut)
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posted by camylanded
on Dec 16, 2012 -
19 answers
I've recently realized that we develop and make progress in our life when we experience new things and get out of our comfort zone. What are the different ways we can experience new things?
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posted by markbao
on Nov 15, 2012 -
19 answers
What does it take to be a genetic engineer? The sort that modify gene sequences to make organisms better suited for humanity. Is it possible to be a self taught genetic engineer with textbooks and home made lab equipment without endangering myself? I can spend 10-20 hrs a week on this endeavor. Going to college doesn't seem like a good idea due to my work schedule and because I already have an advanced degree and don't see the appeal.
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posted by savitarka
on Aug 17, 2012 -
26 answers
My friend has heard that people marry those who are similar to themselves (in looks, age, social class, education etc). He worries this will rule out all the "good" women.
Help me advise him how marriages really work.
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posted by EatMyHat
on Aug 15, 2012 -
36 answers
I am lost, I am interested in being a positive influence to other people by making them laugh or helping them out with life problems. Need some suggestions.
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posted by Trinergy
on Jun 19, 2012 -
15 answers
The mathematician Stephen Wolfram
posted about his efforts at quantifying his activity over the past couple of decades. Of particular interest to me is his reference to having logged the keystrokes he's entered on his computer. Any idea how I could do that as well?
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posted by dfriedman
on Jun 10, 2012 -
5 answers
What is the best way for my teenage son to distribute a self-published book on skateboarding tricks?
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posted by zagyzebra
on May 30, 2012 -
12 answers
How can I develop a more stable, internally based sense of self-worth? Or how to stop feeling insecure?
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posted by jumelle
on May 23, 2012 -
11 answers
I keep having bouts of self destructive behaviour in a relationship. 23/M Best ways to stop it?
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posted by anonymous
on May 18, 2012 -
8 answers
I'm having a hard time trying to figure out if a new friendship is one sided and should be tossed, or if I'm just not presenting myself well.
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posted by Zapak
on Mar 10, 2012 -
20 answers
Dramatic change in life has rock my foundation of self. I need to figure out who I am now that I lost my main identity. I’m in therapy to help with the change, but was wondering if there were any online (preferably) or offline workbooks, tests, or X activity that I can work through that will help me find myself? I’m at a lost.
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posted by bleucube
on Feb 29, 2012 -
7 answers
I want to punish myself. I want to do something that will involve hard work and hardship, that I can't get out of, that will not involve many other people, and won't cost a lot of money. Something like a long hiking journey through remote wilderness, or a boot camp, health camp or retreat where I don't have to be with a group, just me and some jailors. Suggestions?
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posted by Pastor of Muppets
on Jan 2, 2012 -
46 answers
Need some life advice, I don't really know what I'm doing, I've failed so far miserably.
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posted by sawyerrrr
on Nov 1, 2011 -
39 answers
I realized I'm a turd recently. How do I stop being such a self-involved, small-minded teenage asshole? Techniques, media, a stern talking to--I'd appreciate anything that might give me some perspective.
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 23, 2011 -
32 answers
I am attempting to publish a book using createspace.com Any idea why my Blue cover is printing as light purple?
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posted by JoeGoblin
on Oct 18, 2011 -
7 answers
I want to learn how to fight, whats the best martial art for that given the classes offered at my school?
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posted by snow_mac
on Jul 26, 2011 -
25 answers
What are some things you like to tell or remind yourself about when you have "woe is me" moments to steer yourself out of self-pity/moments of weakness and back into awesomeness?
posted by Christ, what an asshole
on Feb 16, 2011 -
55 answers
I'm offering an adult self esteem improvement group in my community. Need ideas for a great title, that would spark some interest while marketing it. Any ideas?
posted by Jandasmo
on Feb 6, 2011 -
7 answers
I used to think that reading was noble in and of itself. Now I realize that I use it as an escape. I use it to avoid doing other things. Important things. It's like a vice, but it's READING! How can that be bad?
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posted by peripatetic007
on Jan 12, 2011 -
31 answers
I seem to have a neverending list since adulthood of people that just simply do not like me, and increasingly shorter list of those that do. How do I become less of an asshole?
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 2, 2010 -
55 answers
Are there any documented examples of people moving from a bunch of 3rd party services like Flickr, Vimeo, or Tumblr "back" to the centralized, does-everything, monolithic my-own-website model?
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posted by circular
on Nov 1, 2010 -
5 answers
Jumping on the Self-Tracking/Quantified Self bandwagon and looking for suggestions for variables apart from the usual kind (diet, exercise, sleep, time spent online etc.) to track on a daily basis.
If you do this, could you share the parameters you like to monitor and record? (Or better yet, share a template for your spreadsheet?!)
All suggestions, no matter however subjective, quirky or esoteric are welcome.
I will be using the spreadsheet tool in Google Docs. Thanks!
posted by sk381
on Oct 27, 2010 -
5 answers
How do you know if you are being honest with yourself? What's the difference between making excuses/rationalizing and being honest about the positive/negative of a situation?
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posted by sio42
on Sep 30, 2010 -
28 answers
I've always been a "fixer/problem solver/peacemaker". How do I
really focus on myself instead of thinking about others?
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posted by MultiFaceted
on Sep 18, 2010 -
14 answers
Can I fix my '95 Nissan Maxima? It went from sounding a little noisy/gravelly to shaking intermittently. Oil is full but dirty. Must I see a mechanic? Engine sounds like
this (15-second AAC), exhaust sounds like
this (5-second AAC). Used to be very quiet. Can I fix this myself?
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posted by reeddavid
on Jun 25, 2010 -
6 answers
How can I be more confident, truly accept compliments, and stop obsessing about my appearance?
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 18, 2010 -
14 answers
Is this the right time to re-start my home base business (craftmaker of gel-candles)? I currently work full-time and Im growing tried of the job, but need the paycheck. Im 52yrs old and my heart and soul is in my crafts. Started about 10yrs ago, but went astray, but always though about doing it again. I need to make the right decision before I jump into spending $$ on new venture.
posted by naylord
on Jun 4, 2010 -
11 answers
There seem to be some questions that most people think about; things like, "What should I be doing with my life," "If I ran the world what would I do," and "What have I done that I'm most proud of." My question is, do these type of questions have a name? A sociological / psychological / philosophical category? Are there lists of them?
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posted by MrPants5000
on Apr 28, 2010 -
10 answers
