I do my best to practice selfcare as often as possible because it’s the only way I have a chance. Walking, writing and finding ways to help others is what helps me the most. The physical outlet is very important for me because it not only helps me continue to lose weight and maintain my health but it also burns off the negative energy.
The emotional or mental outlet from writing is what helps me process the things in my life. Finding ways to use my experience to help others is what’s allows me make something positive come from all this.
All of these things work as a form of therapy for me. They help to keep my depression in check and me centered.
When life is this challenging all the time, there’s only so much I can do to keep from going crazy.
I do the best I can but inevitably, I fall short. The guilt of failing, along with feeling this way is immeasurable. I know some of you will get this and I know some of you won’t.
I love my family. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t try to hard or continue picking myself back up and moving forward.
This isn’t about love or devotion. I have both of those things in spades. It’s simply about the reality of the demand and its impact on the very human me.
Don’t feel bad, you have emotions and needs too, we all do! You wouldn’t be much of a human if you didn’t have feelings and you wouldn’t be much of a dad or husband if you only focused on your own needs all the time finding a balance is tough, hell I find it tough because I’m a single dad with a son with autism..just one…so the job you do with three is amazing!
Like you I have bad days too, depression and anxiety can be a real life sucker at times but I’m lucky that my parents can support me and help me when I ask for it.
Thank you again for sharing your experience and again reminding me that I’m not the only parent of an autistic child who sometimes has bad days! Just try to focus on the good bits in your day, if you reflect at the end of the day you’ll probably find one or two good moments to be thankful for.
Thank you. My goal is to be relatable and help others learn from my mistakes or remember they aren’t alone.
Focusing on the positive is really important. Well said and thank you.. ☺
Actually sharing the bad feelings helps everyone to see you’re human. And I’m impressed that in spite of feeling that way, you put your family first. I’d probably have an outburst first and then apologize and do what’s right. But then again, as an HF autistic person I’ve had to learn NOT to yell and have (what I now know is) a meltdown.