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Over time, I have definitely gotten better at being able to keep myself motivated to do better and stay on track in my recovery. Despite feeling horrible and dealing with a lot of intense emotions, even all at once, I have learned to focus on a couple of things that help keep me going, my motivations. Through these things, I have been able to eliminate my self-harm and suicide attempts, as well as remain a dependable, responsible, and reliable employee because I am no longer having crises.
The number one things that have helped keep me grounded within the past two years have been my boyfriend, my step-son, and our future goals. I know and I understand that if I am not okay, I cannot help provide the best life for our son. If I am not okay, I cannot help my boyfriend reach his goals. If I am not okay, I cannot reach my own goals, and even if I do, it will alter the path in some way, shape or form. Being able to take a step back and analyze the bigger picture of my life and have something to live for has helped me so much, even if sometimes I feel so lost.
My question to all of you is, no matter how hard life gets, no matter what crazy and difficult things may go on around you, what helps you not throw in the towel either?
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Thanks for sharing this Luz. It’s so so relatable.
I was never able to be successful when I was constantly in crises, and that made me feel so awful.
For me, the trajectory of this new path often keeps me going, in a kind of snowball effect. Also, my daughter, shes a huge motivation for me because where it used to be an option to fall apart, since I only answered to myself and yet cared very little about myself. Now, I care so deeply about my own well-being because I know how much of an effect it has on my daughter’s well-being. And hope keeps me going, sometimes not all the time, but hope for my future and how I’ll continue to grow and hope knowing I’ve come so far and built a nice life and hope that I’ll continue to do that
Something that keeps me going is a dream to have my own family and unconditional love for them. I want to create a home and loving place that is greater and more complete than I ever had. that dream keeps me going and it will until I accomplish it
something that’s keeping me going right now is my weekly me days where I put my phone down and just worry about me only.
Hey Skyler,
Thanks for sharing this. I think it is so important to have time that’s designed specifically for ourselves. Self-care is so important, especially when we are taking care of others, and with most of us being stuck at home this can be hard to do. I give you credit for still taking time to do so. I am trying my best to do the same by taking occasional walks and just vibing to good music. This way I can just zone out and focus on my tunes while exercising. I hope everyone remembers that it’s a good thing to just breathe, and take time to themselves during this difficult time.
something that has kept me going is when were through all this and I can go to chilis with my friends!
Yes Skyler! I think it is awesome to remind ourselves that eventually, this will all come to an end. We have to take care of ourselves the best way that we can now so that once all of this is over we can enjoy ourselves! 🙂
yea some days its hard to remember that well get through this and that we will be able to do things we used to like working out and stuff.
There are definitely a few key moments, events and turning points in my life that keep me going. One of them was right when my journey started. AT 10 years old, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. I was very symptomatic at the time. I was in the hospital on an impatient unit. I remember my parents came to see me for “visiting hours” I had no clue what that was, or anything that was going on at the time. When they left, I didn’t know why they left without me. I cried so much that night. I remember telling myself “I don’t know whats wrong with me, but I’m going to do what it takes to fix it”. Also standards that were set for me as a child. My parents were told by people “he needs to be taken away from you guys” “he will never be able to function as an adult”, “be a member of society,”. Those standards were set for me as child. It only gave me a chip on my shoulder for motivation and drive to prove everybody wrong. Which I did. As well as accomplishing so much more. That has been my mindset and always will be. Health became my number one priority as I grew up and got older. At 26 years old I am definitely in a completely different place. Also, working 2 jobs, one with kids, and one as an advocate for mental health being apart of “Advocacy Unlimited” and “Join Rise Be” I have a platform to make a difference and help others. That’s all I can ask for in life. To make a difference in peoples lives, and make sure no one has to experience any ounce of pain I did. As well as feeling obligated to pave the way for the next generation. Making sure they have services, support systems, and a platform for them to make a difference.
Hey ya’ll!
I just thought I’d update you everyone on what keeps me going currently:
These things include:
-My step-son
-My boyfriend
-My career goals
-My financial goals
-Being able to serve as a positive example for others with my own recovery journey
-Being able to work hard so I can play hard- so working hard so I can then have time to relax, go on vacation, etc.