One thing I feel sad about right now is....

In a similar situation my family or my son dad have nothing to do with my son and I since I met my husband not the only family I have is my husband and our 4 kids he had 3 from his deceased wife

@azureBeach7292

I hate it when people do that! The people you care about just brushing off your important, potentially life threatening feelings that need to be in check, and what if they were crying out to you? What if, because of what you did in ignoring it, and thinking it was all a

@azureBeach7292

I know how that is. I used to tell my best friend about my depression and being stressed. Her reaction was that she get's depressed and stressed too, because she only got 90% on a test! Most people who have never been diagnosed or been exposed to what Depression and Anxiety is, they will never understand what it really is like for us. Don't feel too bad about it, try and think of it as that they don't have much knowledge of it and forgive them for their lack of knowledge.

I tried opening up to a few friends before, and because they don't know what reaction to give (probably because they've never dealt with it or know someone with depression), they ended up breaking up our friendship. I've lost several friends after I felt comfortable enough to share my true self to them, but in return, I got rejected as a friend. They won't even greet me when we see each other in the hallways~

@happy2sad

It is not you. You are the unfortunate target of someone else's frustration, anger, and whatever else they are dealing with or trying to.

It is not you. You do not own their anger ... do not take possession of it. You are doing amazing going out in the world and trying to stay positive, some us can't manage that sometimes... so don't take someone else's emotions on as yours.

It is not you. You are reaching out to cope -- that's a positive way of handling the situation. Coping is hard ... you are the target of someone's poor coping but that doesn't mean you have to believe what is said and just hang on to it. Come here,let it out, find a listener and let it out some more.

It is not you. Fix what you can that you have control of. Offer support when you feel you can. Reach out when you need to and maybe help the person who's not coping very well reach out for help too when the opportunity arises.

You are displaying amazing strength.

Thanks for sharing and I hope it gets better.

@tragicfragile

Keep reaching out -- people can't reach back to us unless we keep reaching out.

I'm sorry there is so much pain -- it's hard when drugs win out over family -- I'm sorry that's happening with your parents. Keep reaching out to them - even if it's just small notes, copies of old family pictures. You never know what words or images might touch them and their heart and initiate recovery.

My heart hurts for you -- I've seen this first hand -- please don't give up on yourself because they've lost themselves. I am witnessing changes in people around me - something was triggered in them to start recovery because those who wanted them back kept reaching out -- so it is possible, I think, given the right spark to care about themselves and those around them - they'll seek recovery.

Distance doesn't necessarily end a friendship. It's easier to keep in touch with people nowadays - plus there's still snailmail if you really want to go the slow route. Again -- reach out so they can reach back.

Come to seven cups - hit the forums and let out your loneliness, concerns, fears. Find a listener and share what's going on. You've reached out here -- give it time and let others reach back -- that took strength you may not realize you have.

Keep reaching...

@limePenguin3306

Your island - your home, right?

I've heard similar from my Puerto Rican friends - at first it was painful to leave - so many memories, friends, family. But one of them told me recently, "You know what? It's still there! I can call them. I can write them. I can email them. I can still go visit. I may not be in Puerto Rico but Puerto Rico is in me."

I absolutely loved that last part. I live by the Timon-Pumba definition of home: Home is where the rump rest. I've never been able to call a place home - we move/moved *A LOT*. To hear someone speak of how much they are *of* their home as *about* their home -- makes me a little sad that I haven't found a place that feels that endeared to me -- to me, their just places on a map and an old addresses.

I hope you can take those words and feel empowered.

Thanks for taking time to share.

@conscientiousGlobe9875

Maybe it's evolved ... Phoenix'd itself to something else? I feel this feeling of disappointment about change... at the same time, I'd rather not be miserably hoping... or being miserable hoping for something that isn't for me... I think

@Mary51 same. I give group hangouts a shot all the time but just end up feeling upset at the end because I don't feel like I'm wanted there or belong in the group