Posted by IsoM on March 13, 2002, at 16:23:11
In reply to help me help myself, posted by christophrejmc on March 13, 2002, at 2:59:04
Chris, you remind me of two of my sons (at least somewhat). Here you're only 20 (am I right?) & you feel so old. Problems with depression can really age a person mentally, can't it?
I'm all for goal setting. I think it's a great idea. But don't take it too seriously - realise that you're writing in sand alongside the water's edge, not in stone. As the waves of life come ebb & flow, some of your plans may be washed away. But that can be good, if you let it.
What goal setting can do is give you a feel for what you'd like to do, even to solidify vague ideas tumbling about in your mind that you may not even be conscious about. By putting it down in writing, you can actually look back on it in the days ahead to see how you've grown & what's changed. Just because you haven't necessarily reached the goals you wrote down, doesn't mean you haven't reach other goals you hadn't thought about. And some of what you wrote, may now seem not so important after all.
Along with goals you'd like to reach, I'd also suggest writing down what you have already accomplished - tangible or not. Writing down "gained insight & empathy with others" may not have anything physical to show for it, but is far more important than "acquired a house & mortgage in the suburbs". It'll show how you developed as a person of worth. I'd also suggest breaking down goals into subcategories: what you'd like to accomplish next month, next year, & in a number of years. You know, short-term, middle-term, & long-term goals.
You're still young, Chris. This is the time for you to fully develop your personality rather than achieve works. Use them time to travel, if you can. If you can't (like me, limited finances), read & explore other cultures, lands, peoples, viewpoints, go to ethnic restaurants, stores, & shops, museums, etc. develop yourself to the full. Even when depressed, this can be carried on albeit in a somwhat limited way. The best way you can develop coping skils is to be around other people. You don't necessarily have to interact with them, but you can just observe & reflect on other's actions & reactions.
poster:IsoM
thread:19729
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020305/msgs/19781.html