Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav
TheDeaningOfLife
108,430
L Proficient 8
5.0 star rating
Rating
Number of ratings141 Number of reviews48 Listens toOver 18 LanguagesEnglish Listener sinceMar 8, 2015 Last activeover 6 months ago GenderMale PathStep 500 People helped173 Chats456 Group support chats63 Listener group chats776 Forum posts59 Forum upvotes160
Bio

- On a break for an unknown amount of time. Hope you're all well! - 

 

So, life can get tough sometimes.
In a way, we're all battling with our own personal problems, our own mental illnesses, our own demons. To some, they may seem mundane and trite, to others, they are the biggest problem in the world. But each one is important, never forget that.
One of the most powerful things that someone can do for you is just to listen to you. Just to hear you vent your emotions, just to have your voice be heard. As a Listener here on 7 Cups, my goal is to offer a pair of empathetic, understanding ears, to have someone to talk to - to have someone to be there for you.
I'm really glad you've found me here on 7 Cups.

Recent forum posts
Thoughts on Depression
Depression Support / by TheDeaningOfLife
Last post
 November 10th, 2015
...See more As experience has taught me, life gets tough sometimes. This site is a wonder in a sense that it's so wonderful to truly know that you are not alone. Whilst no two problems are the same, the solidarity in having the knowledge that "Hey, someone else out there is having a rough time, too" is truly spectacular. But I wanted to talk a little bit about depression. Depression is many things to many different people. It knows no boundaries and can creep up on you in the most surprising and devastating of ways. It can be there subconsciously, sat in a rocking chair at the very back of our minds just ready to pounce on whatever it feels like tearing apart. It can make you feel like the loneliest person in the world in a room full of your favourite people. Depression is the antagonist in the movies of our lives. Depression to me feels like this - an anchor that's weighing down my heart and soul, dragging along at the bottom of the sea floor, determined to stop me completely. It's agonizing, isn't it? It's emotional, devastating and leaves us feeling defeated. I sometimes think to myself: "What should I do with this pain?" Sometimes you just want to grab the pain and hold it so tightly that your hands lose all feeling. And you want to use that pain to jolt your forward head on and tackle these problems head on and fight the world; and make that pain suffer for ever inflicting itself upon you. But hey, more often than not, that doesn't happen. We're not superheroes. We are human. And that's what makes us human, after all. I suppose, if there's a point I'm trying to make, it's this: depression is awful. The pain and the suffering is tough. But like I said, we're human. And we're tough. Superheroes haven't got anything on the human spirit. Even through the darkest nights; keep on fighting the good fight. You're not alone.
Ramblings about Insomnia...
Healthy Living / by TheDeaningOfLife
Last post
 March 1st, 2016
...See more So, at my time of writing this, its just after 5AM. Im sat up, wide awake, hunched over the laptop like some fiendish vampire feeding from the glow of the screen listening to some bizarre rare 80s song that I cant explain how I found nor how I am currently singing along to it at this particular moment. I wanted to talk a little bit about insomnia, and how it affects different people, a large majority of us, and how it can alter a lot of considerable things about us as people: mood, motivation, appetite and just the general drive to do anything. Now, personally speaking - Ive suffered from insomnia for many years. I have tried every method there is in the book (the fictitious book of legend) from medical methods, to playing relaxing ocean sounds (made me feel sea sick) to trying out an assortment of drinks like Horlicks (a malty drink) and calming teas just to help unwind and ease into a peaceful night of sleep and wondrous dreams about eyebrows and pirate bacon, you know the drill. Except most nights; I am awake. I cant tell you possibly why this happens; it just does. There are a whole bunch of reasons that can come into play for why each person might be lying there, staring at their ceiling and wondering, How did I get here? Its 4 in the morning. I have to be awake in three hours. Dark thoughts can come into play, unwanted energy that makes us feel like whipping out the saxophone {insert applicable instrument here - triangles are welcome} to just feelings of general unease that make us feel like our bodies are tense and cant relax, and our mind follows suit by perhaps dragging up that memory from all those years ago - you know the one. People in chronic pain suffer too, unable to rest easy at nights due to the aching in their bodies. Of course, not all reasons that cause insomnia are related to mental or physical illnesses, some people can purely just cannot sleep. I realise that there are so many other reasons out there that can cause insomnia; Im selling a lot of people short here, but if anyone sees this, please - feel free to let me know. The point Im trying to make is; it can affect anyone in any different walk of life. That makes it a big issue, doesnt it? It seems like a big issue at the time certainly when you have stayed up all night and have to go to work, or school, or the store because the groceries are needed...or just getting in the shower! Despite the temporary relief that brings, you know, that weariness can cling. To talk really briefly about how it affects others, without making broad claims, as, much like everyone suffers in a different way, everyone has different ways to deal with it. Coffee, exercise, activities, planned days to keep the body/mind busy, a Harry Potter movie marathon - something that wills you through the day ahead. But the body becomes a tender thing on no sleep and I know that from experience. My own personal method? It gets to that point where the suns risen and everyone is getting up and ready for their day, I tend to think, Ill stick it out all day. Its 9AM and I feel great! Come lunchtime, Im considering kicking the dog from his bed and crashing there Im that tired. So some of the symptoms of insomnia are as follows: awakening too early, not feeling well rested at all, constant tiredness through the day, irritability towards things and others, depression and anxiety increased, finding it hard to focus on tasks and to pay attention to things, Increased errors or accidents, tension headaches, distress in the stomach and intestines (gastrointestinal tract) and those awful, plaguing ongoing worries about sleep. Its not nice, and I know its not nice. I realise that Ive rambled on quite a bit here, and as you can tell Im a totally professional writer (Ha!) and may have meandered through things a bit without much a point unifying everything. Well there is a point, and, its not the best one in the world, but its a point. Sometimes, setting up alone, all distractions aside (laptops, phones, games, books) when you hit that moment of Oh Im not going to sleep, things can get lonely. Youre awake whilst everyone sleeps. Its lonely, its isolating and it can be downright horrific sometimes. But heres a tip. It wont change your life, or make any of the problems disappear but it may come in useful for those dark nights. Look out the window. Stare up at the night sky. And think to yourself, I am not alone. Because you are not alone. Out there, somewhere in the world, somebody is looking to the sky and thinking the same thing. Under the blanket of the darkest nights, you are never alone. TheDeaningOfLife
Search more from @TheDeaningOfLife
Feedback & Reviews
He is very attentive, supportive, understanding and good listener. I hope he stays longer and often logs in.
Wonderful listener! Understanded me very well even though im very hard to understand! :)
i LOVED you way too much. the support i had from you was way better then the support i have received in my life.
Dean really helps rationalise your thought process. He's very caring & focuses on the conversation incredibly kindly. X
Dean is always very reliable and helpful. I can't wait to talk to him again!
Helping listener
Really helpful and very understanding, would definitely recommend
Awesome!
good listener and very sympathetic. made me feel better about myself
Such a loving and caring soul, helped me get my life in perspective for which I'm very grateful, thank you so much for all the help and support, your a true asset to the community here at 7cupsoftea.
Really bright and sensible listener. Very emphatic and gentle, really understands and helps.
Patiently listened to my problems and waited for me to finish my points without interjecting any judgments. Also offered helpful information about mental illness stigma that I found applicable to my situation. I now feel a little less uncertain about my situation thanks to this listener.
Very kindhearted, empathetic, and ability to assist by listening and also providing relevant links to my situation. Really appreciated connecting with Deaning
Nice lad
Very nice, understanding, and tolerant. Please give this wonderful person a raise in whatever form of common currency there is on this site.
Dean is really good, excellent response time and very understanding
They were very kind
dean was a great listener who helped me with a tough decision. it's still hard but my mind is clearer because of dean's greatness. thanks for everything. i hope to be back before long with good news.
Possibly one of the best listener around. Very prompt in replying too! I'd recommend Dean to anyone seeking for empathy (:

Thank you so much for listening Dean, can't thank you enough for the time you've spent listening.
I've chatted to Dean multiple times on group chats, so was glad but unexpected when I received a 1-on-1 chat! One of the best listeners I have ever talked to, extremely quick in emphasising but takes the time to write caring and considerate responds. Such a kind and patient person. I am very grateful for the chats.
a wonderful person to chat with.. so sweet and thoughtful!
She/he is amazing, the empathy and how nice this person is, i don't know how to say thanks for this awesome conversation i just had, just a-m-a-z-i-n-g
He was Nice & helpful also made me feel better. Cleared things out for me had great chats :)
Great Person. Easy to talk to! Will be talking again.
such a great listener and very understanding; i defiantly recommend :) thank you for your time :)
Wonderful support, helped me see things from another perspective that really helped and changed how I was addressing the issue. Tried to keep things to a comfortable level and explained if things got too stressful I could bring up something else less stressful, and did so well. Response time was awesome, not taking too long to respond or responding to things too quickly to take in.
Understand my problem very well , make me feel better , kind heart
He is great, very empathetic and kind.
Awesome listener right here, she really made me feel not alone in what I am going through. Can't wait to follow up. Thanks again hun!
Brilliant, as always. :)
Empathetic, patient, supportive, brilliant.
He was amazing. Hands down, the best listener on 7 Cups (and I've spoken to quite a few).
He was patient, listened to all that I had to say and we had a brilliant conversation!
This listener is probably the best listener I've had on here since joining the website. He is extremely validating, understanding, compassionate, and insightful and exceeded my expectations. He helped me reflect on my situation and encouraged me to fully express myself without fear of judgment. Thank you so much!
great:)
Very good listener who's willing to provide you with the recourses that can help you get on the right track!
great listener very fast response
Listens to everything, very helpful and kind, and can talk about anything!
You are the most wonderful, caring listener! Thank you for everything!
Dean is the BEST listener on this website - he is professional and empathetic but also has the human touch! He has the most amazing suggestions and advice and has helped me so much that I feel as though I can go forward and take control of my life. Thank you Dean!
amazing. helped me a lot
Truly wonderful! One of the best listeners I've encountered on the site yet. Empathetic, very quick to respond, and a bread advisor.
someone who listens so well and will make you feel better no matter what... surely a good friend you'd love to have :)
Very helpful
On top of being an astounding listener, a good luck charm!! My situation was completely resolved after our chat :)
Very sweet and helpful :)
Pretty helpful and professional...Looking forward to keeping in touch :)
Very patient and empathetic. I never got the feeling I was a nuisance, which was something I was worried about
very kind great listener really helped
Categories
Depression
Anxiety
Sleeping Well
Breakups
Alcohol/Drug Abuse
Community updates
Badges & Awards
77 total badges
Listening Ear Magnet Encourager Sage Jester of Smiles Clerk of Bear Hugs Piper of Dedication Ellen Anxiety Depression Eating Disorders Managing Emotions Panic Attacks Surviving Breakups Traumatic Experiences Crisis Intervention Listener Oath Work Related Stress Self Harm Sexual Abuse Alcohol & Drug Abuse Family Support Grad Cultural Diversity Aristotle Verified Listener Bullying Chronic Pain Psychological First Aid Family Stress Sleeping Well Graduate Master Scholar Love Bug Refresher Light Chat Tiny Chat Small Chat Chit Chat Big Chat Voice Ray of Hope Lean-On-Me Relationships College Guide Loneliness Guide Test Anxiety Exercise Motivation ACT Therapy Affirmative Reflection Chat & Text Listening Ace Active Listening Startup Support Feedback Perinatal Schizophrenia People of Color Guide ADHD Social Anxiety OCD Boundaries Forgiveness Grief Managing Bipolar Managing Finances Surviving Domestic Assault Getting Unstuck Rocket Listener Twinning Pro Sparkler Loyal Friend Tick Tock Fellow Friend Five Steps Hang 10
Report an issue