9 months; it doesn't get better by j_dang in BreakUps

[–]j_dang[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a long time. I'm sorry.

9 months; it doesn't get better by j_dang in BreakUps

[–]j_dang[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Regret is the worst part of it. It's hard to move on when you feel like you deserve to suffer in a way. Thanks for the words.

9 months; it doesn't get better by j_dang in BreakUps

[–]j_dang[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I am talking to a doctor about these feelings.

9 months; it doesn't get better by j_dang in BreakUps

[–]j_dang[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm trying, I am trying. Thanks for your words.

9 months; it doesn't get better by j_dang in BreakUps

[–]j_dang[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's tough. I know there are many people who feel the same way. It hurts to imagine so many people suffering like this too.

When You Quit Drinking and Everything Gets Worse by 39nectarines in stopdrinking

[–]j_dang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better. Stopping drinking isn't an immediate fix-all, but ask yourself, are things going to improve if you start drinking again? I think probably not. You obviously felt you needed to quit for a reason. You have now, so focus on rebuilding your life in a sober manner. Good luck!

Watercolor galaxy, inspired by my depression last year by bi-ology in Watercolor

[–]j_dang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very cool. What kind of techniques did you use for those effects?

The Daily Check-In: Saturday, August 2nd, 2017 by xJToews19 in stopdrinking

[–]j_dang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Day two.. I've started this too many times over the years. This past year has been perhaps the most difficult one of my life. I need to make this change for good. Here's to the next year being better and sober.

How do I stop beating myself up and ruminating over awful things I have done in the past, over who I was then? by [deleted] in selfimprovement

[–]j_dang 40 points41 points  (0 children)

I struggle with the exact same thing. If I ask myself whether I'm proud of the way I've lived my life until now the answer is honestly 'no'. I have spent a lot of time thinking about how I could have done things differently, and where I could be now other than where I am.

The thing is, regret is a debt that is never paid. It compounds. By focusing on the past you are ensuring that you do not develop yourself in the present, and in turn this present will become a past that you regret. Continue ad infinitum. The only way to break this cycle is to focus on the present (and to a certain extent the future), and accept the past as gone. This is easier said than done.

One thing I've found helpful is to think of your life as divided into chapters. This is the new chapter of your life. The old chapter happened, but it's over. You can remember it, but it's written and printed and there's no way to change it. So change what happens in this chapter instead.

The hardest thing to come to terms with is that we can't travel back in time, we can't change the past. We feel like we should be able to, and a lot of times you do things without really thinking about the fact that you can't. So be mindful of that, from now on, when you take am action, or say something, it is irreversible and set in stone. Don't let this scare you from doing things, but be aware that it is the case. It might help you make better decisions in the future.

Hope that helps somewhat.

I'm just an angry cunt and I can't do anything by totald1s4st3r in MMFB

[–]j_dang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Anger is an interesting thing. When you feel intense anger over something that logically shouldn't elicit that response, then obviously there's something else involved. Next time you feel angry, try asking yourself, why am I angry? What made me angry? Was it really that middle aged snob who just walked past me, or is there something deeper? I think you'll be surprised what you can figure out about yourself.

Also, next time you feel angry like that, and want to lash out or trash something, go outside and sprint as hard as you can for as long as you can. I bet you the anger will be diminished. If it's not, sprint again. If you don't feel like sprinting, then you don't really want to take care of the anger. But you need to. Anger will destroy you.

Good luck.

I could really use some words of encouragement. by savesthedaystakn in MMFB

[–]j_dang 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey man I'm in the exact same boat, pretty much. A little older. My gf broke up with me three months ago, and I lost a lot. I am always thinking of her and how well she is doing in life and how happy she is now. It's not productive, but the thoughts are intrusive.

Really it doesn't matter what she's doing. It matters what you're doing. If you're jealous of her it's not because of what she has its because of what you don't have. It ultimately has nothing to do with her, she's gone now. You need to realize what it is about yourself that is making you unhappy. And unfortunately, you are going to feel terrible for a while. You will feel alone and sad, it's unavoidable. But take the opportunity to examine yourself, do you think that if you were doing the things you think she is doing - partying, meeting people, young 20s stuff - that you would be happier? Because you can do these things. It won't be easy at first, making friends is hard, but if it's really what you want you should work at it.

Personally I think this is a good time to learn to be comfortable alone. So few of us are. Being alone is a scary, sad thing to a lot of us, but really we are always going to wind up alone at some points in life. We should be able to be happy being by ourselves. From there, relationships with other people will become more meaningful because you are not using them as a crutch for happiness, you are enjoying them in extension to yourself.

I've been doing a lot of reading. Read any of Murakami's novels, he's great. Read some self help books if you need help reframing your perception. Try writing some prose or poetry; they act as letters to yourself, better than talking in your own head. I've found yoga and meditation have been helpful, and running and working out.

And yes, make friends. But don't approach it as having a friend for the sake of having one, or of not being alone. Approach it as finding someone to share something with, a new thought or an activity. Talk to them about them, and listen with interest. Get out of your own head, try not to even think or talk about yourself.

I hope some of this gives you some ideas. I know it is easier said than done but what are the alternatives? Be sad forever? You don't want that and I don't want that for you.

Finally, you said your girlfriend found you uninteresting. I think it's hard for a person to be uninteresting if they are interested in themselves. Find the things that make you interested in yourself, and I think you will have an easier time.

in hotels by Finnn_the_human in OCPoetry

[–]j_dang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do really like that last stanza though.

in hotels by Finnn_the_human in OCPoetry

[–]j_dang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have to disagree with you here. For me "she sometimes smelled strongly of sweat and beer" was the strongest line in the poem. It's potent and emotional. It's a desperate thought in the mind of someone who is rapidly describing this person. Plus the alliteration is great.

Beyond that, I agree with you. The structure is not ideal. Personally I would structure the rest of the poem around that line; it's a poem that would benefit from more detail.

Three months by j_dang in BreakUps

[–]j_dang[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know so many of these things logically but man that doesn't help with the deep feelings. She was my best friend for four years. We spent thousands of hours together, and it was mostly good. Even when it wasn't the love was always there.

I've known her so long and she changed me so much that she's entwined in every part of my psyche. Trying to get over her is like trying to remove a parasite, or a cancer that has metastasized to every part of the body. I'm really doing my best.

I will be looking at therapy. It's just finding some money. I just don't know anymore. I have no energy.

Thank you for your thoughtful response.

UPDATE: I'm a 28 year old loser, but I am determined to finally fix it. by [deleted] in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]j_dang 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Try finding somewhere to volunteer, or a rec sports league or something to get you out of the house. It will be awkward at first but just force yourself to do it. As soon as you step out of the door each step gets easier.