I feel like my life has been a long succession of second bests. For the most part, I've been okay with this; after all, second best is really good, right?!? But recently, I feel like I may be becoming second best in my little hobby--my refuge--and I'm looking for new pick-me-ups, koans, and defensive strategies so I can concentrate on what I love and not get too frustrated all the time.
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posted by myaskme
on Dec 27, 2011 -
47 answers
I have sputtered down into a rather listless scary hopeless state. I have depression which I am being treated for. My question... What has gotten you up or moving ahead when in the darkest pit? I am taking things about 1 hr at a time right now and was doing conventional things as best I could like exercise and spiritual things, but it is like a watch that has stopped. I guess I want to know what has helped you, no matter how tangential it may seem. I appreciate your time and responses. (I suspect there may have been other links on MeFi over the years on this as this is the human condition and I apologize in advance if it seems like I have been to lazy to look. It has taken me 1 hr to even compose this question.)
posted by snap_dragon
on Dec 4, 2011 -
28 answers
I've been having short, intense feelings of overwhelming despair, particularly at night. I need advice on dealing with this.
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posted by NoraReed
on Feb 13, 2011 -
16 answers
Long-shot filter... recovery of an AbiWord file that has disappeared while being transferred to a flash drive?
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posted by Savannah
on May 3, 2010 -
4 answers
Is it the depression or am I really just hopeless? More irrational, but firmly believed, info inside.
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posted by whalebreath
on Mar 8, 2010 -
15 answers
How do I know if I should break up with my boyfriend? (Warning: novel-length special snowflake question)
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 5, 2010 -
51 answers
How can I maintain some optimism about my child's future, given the crappy crappy world we live in?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 24, 2010 -
45 answers
It takes a certain mood to get into rallies of joy and nature and deep emotions; when one feels alienated, out-of-touch from everything the poets love, what then to read?
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posted by mbrock
on Feb 19, 2010 -
17 answers
How do you stop feeling bad about situations that don't affect you directly and which you are powerless to alter? This involves other peoples' young children.
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 1, 2009 -
22 answers
My life is kinda fucked up and I'm at a complete loss at the steps I need to take in order to not be so fucked up.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 31, 2009 -
37 answers
I have managed to screw up my life repeatedly for years and officially hit bottom recently. How do I escape this descent into nihilism and find meaning and success?
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 9, 2008 -
24 answers
I would like to sense God in my life. I go to church regularly, pray, and read the Bible to understand Him better but I still have such deep bouts of depression where I either don't trust or sense his presence. There is a wide gap between what I believe with my heart and what I understand in my head. For example, I understand and believe in the sovereignty in God but when hard times come or extremely difficult emotions (despair) arise, that is the first thing I question. I am not looking for an easy life or a perfect life, just one that is able to trust God more. Any opinions on how to do this? I feel a great tension between trying harder, and just letting go but my letting go resembles more closely giving up than "letting God" if you know what i mean. To summarize, I want a stronger faith. Any ideas? Thanks so much for input.
posted by snap_dragon
on May 8, 2008 -
58 answers
I remember seeing about 2 years ago a clip where Anna Deavere Smith was doing a piece on Cornel West. Channeling him saying that he uses the "language of despair" because you must despair before you can hope. Something like that. It was quite moving...and I've thought about it many times in the interim.
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posted by sully75
on Feb 7, 2008 -
8 answers
I really really dislike doing things. This goes all the way ad absurdum in that I actually would rather freeze into nothingness than deal with college, work, chores, and so on.
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posted by raisons de coeur
on Aug 27, 2007 -
21 answers
What is a good book to buy for a bright, elderly man who:
a.) has probably read everything, and,
b.) is experiencing some level of despair due to his rapidly deteriorating body (he has motor neuron disease)?
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posted by mjao
on Mar 8, 2007 -
31 answers
My rosacea has flared up really badly since December. I've gone from a rosy glow to angry red blotches and honest-to-God pustules for the first time. Yes, I'm going back to my dermatologist, but I need some hope that there is some damn thing out there that will help me. [more inside]
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posted by rosemere
on Feb 5, 2007 -
12 answers
I'm posting for a friend who was using an old laptop running win95. One day it wouldn't boot, so they took it to "Geek Squad" at compusa or wherever, and they said they couldn't help.
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posted by craniac
on Jun 3, 2005 -
9 answers
The better business bureau seems to be kinda worthless. Is there a generic website where I can go to rate local businesses that isn't awash with tons of ads or filler? I'm thinking something craigs-list-ish, but searchable, with Amazonian filtering (the website, not the large women, although that would be cool too). I think I just got ripped off by a tire store, and I'm tired of going through life a victim. Lazyweb, take me away!
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posted by mecran01
on Apr 19, 2005 -
12 answers
