miserably down and hopeless

Cant beleive I'm posting this, but so miserable right now. Hope this is the correct forum, only place I could think for this kind of post. I fear my weakness in feeling so down and depleted is making me look even more like a loser. Somehow this thought is quite crushing!! Oh well maybe things will look better with the morning sun.

Would possibly help (not solve) if I could secure some sort of a "success." Maybe when I finally manage to get my recycling cashed in I'll have some sense of accomplishment. It's slowwwww going, just me and really limited tools and knowledge. Little space and minumum work time. Not trying to complain, just the perimeters of my situation. But the space, tools, etc just means things take a bit longer, which isnt necessarily negative.

Trying to talk myself into having some hope, it's hard at the moment. Is anyone else awake out there?

Cheer up brother...do you have a roof over your head?....food on the table?....a family or friend(s) that you can turn to? If you have this, you can make it through; provided you have a good work ethic and a positive attitude. You're alive...you're breathing man!!!...thank God for that!!!

Nope but I talk in my sleep, will that do? ;)

We've all been there Scrapme. I know I Have. I started out similar, not many tools(still don't ha ha!), not a lot of room, etc. You just have to get out there an keep on keeping on buddy. You can see it's worked for many folks on here, whether part time, full time, hobbyist, whatever. Gotta crawl before you walk/run an all that.

Take a trip to my quote thread, start on page one. Read it all, surely something there will provide some uplifting, smiles, shakes of the head with a mutter of.."Dude, you seriously didn't just quote that...!", inspiration, etc.

An in case you don't...some quotes for you! :)

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. - Norman Vincent Peale

Be happy with what you have and are, be generous with both, and you won't have to hunt for happiness. - William E. Gladstone

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success. - Elbert Hubbard

I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe. - Dalai Lama

Sirscrapalot - When life gives you lemonade, add vodka. - Ron White

Hey, don't get down. It takes a while to get everything together, but you can do it.

You've got a great opportunity there with lots of businesses that will have scrap. Since you're limited on space, you might want to concentrate on higher value items like copper and ewaste. I know you have been researching here on the forum so you can get an idea of what you can sell things for. If you need advice on anything, feel free to call me. I'm usually able to talk during the day when I'm on a tractor.

Keep your head up and talk to people. I already know you're good at that, so you have a leg up on the competition in networking with people who might provide things to scrap.
Work hard, network and research and you'll be just fine.

Thanks Scrappinlife and Sirscrapalot ,pnutfarmer, for taking the time to respond. I am angry at myself for even feeling the way I am. Really am blessed and know it. Guess the facts aren't reaching my feelings, which are quite overwhelming and exhausting at the moment.

Just extremely discouraged and without excuse. Not sure if I can pick myself up out of this, very tired and weak from being so emotionally down.
Every bit of encouragement helps, it is encouraging to hear others stories.

Thx again for responding!

Sorry, I'm not very good at consoling people who are down, but I can tell you I been there too.
Just keep your chin up buddy.

The mystery of scrap. Over the years I visited here . Logged in and posted. No reply
I have been in your shoes multiple times. Just drive on. Work it out. Self pity doesn't pay. It gets better then worse as you grow and encounter new material. Murphys law. I myself pray and keep God as my guide. No greed just progress. Every problem can be solved if worked on . Just one screw at a time until the rhythm gets you rolling. Stay grounded and don't overwhelm self with what ifs. Make I did that come true. Believe in self. God does . Your free will. Matter ! 1♡ 1scrap.

One benefit of being down... Everything is looking up! Just take one step at a time & savor the little successes. You will make it!

Spin you were already in my quote files, but that one is a for sure keeper.

No need to feel shame Scrapme. Again a lot of us have been there. We all know moments of doubt. It's how we respond to them that make or break us. You got support here on the forums, whether you know it or not. We're all here for each other when it's needed, so feel no shame. Like a big dysfunctional family..well a good one. ;)

Good luck to ya buddy, an hang in there, it's always darkest before day breaks.

Sirscrapalot - If you're doing your best, you won't have any time to worry about failure. - H.Jackson Brown, Jr.

They don't call it rock bottom for nothing...that sh!t hurts and now it's time to claw your way back to the beach. You know where you are and are reaching out so that tells me you have not given up on yourself as much as you think right now.

The simple things in life can bring the most pleasure, but then again I'm can be entertained by watching cars drive by...suck it all in.

Sure a lot of tools can help but the caveman approach can make things happen too...hang in there.

Nothing says Therapeutic like a big ass hammer!

;)

My main tools still to this day are a hammer, an a chisel. lol.

Sirscrapalot - Won't you tell me how to get to Sesame Street...

I have been up down and upside down and all around again, the thing that you have to remember is when one door closes another one opens,like a old song says, what a difference a day makes,,,, learn from your mistakes some times falling to the bottom gives you the strength and desire to rise to the top, I know it worked for me, good luck.

I was picked up few years ago. Two years ago I was home less for few days. My now fiance was expecting I had no job. Now I've had more up and downs but the way God has Tallinn these "bad things" I just keep walking. When I was homeless I found a job first day and decided I would just go camping in a set of woods. Now two years later I have my family and I'm scraping hoping to not have another job if I lose my. Remember God is good.



"Enjoy the bad time, they are opening for for the greatest of things."


" God can't pick you up till you haven fallen to your own own bottom"

I have never shared, my darkest hours, here on the forum. Maybe the day will come that I will. What is more important than those dark days, is the hope, the change in my life, the small daily success's, I now have. I am not sure where I would be today, if I had not stumbled into SMF, a few years ago. SMF has not only has given me the knowledge I needed to move forward, I have met some wonderful people, who have been a source of encouragement, and some, a source of entertainment.

In the wee hours of the night, to reach out on a public forum when someone is down, can be a good thing. Not only do many members here have the knowledge to help others move forward in a trade, there are many here, with a lot of wisdom. Both knowledge and wisdom, that has come from success, and loss, joy, and sorrow. Many of us have "lived"... life. Taken risks. Sometimes winning and sometimes losing.

Having said that, I would encourage you to meet with someone close to you. We in no way can be a supplement for human contact. We all need a mentor at times. That may be a parent, spouse, pastor, close friend, or when needed, a professional. There is no weakness, in reaching out, and asking for help! If my leg is broken, I need to ask someone to help me up. If my spirit is broken, I need to do the same.

When we feel down, it is in part, because we are focused on the ground. Look up, and see the glory that is all around you!

Heaven wheels above you, displaying to you her eternal glories, and still your eyes are on the ground. - Dante

A few years ago, every time I thought there was light at the end of the tunnel, it was another train, getting ready to run me over. What I have learned here, got me off the tracks, and out of the **** tunnel. Not only is that light not a train, many times it's now a plane. A plane taking me to Arizona, to see my gran-kids. A freedom I never thought I would have. To be able to visit them, about every two months, is a direct result of what I have learned, AND APPLIED, from SMF.

There is hope! Take what you learn here and keep moving forward. Little by little, day by day, life can, and does, get better!


Oh yea, and I get to take naps. Every single day! I love naps! ;)

here's to a new day and start of a new week being better for ya Bro

one moment at a time

if you get lemonaid in your milk get some more milk

Wow.....I'm not even depressed and you guys and gals gave me a lift just by reading your responses to this thread. I'm especially inspired by the many spiritual quotes. Yep, it sure does make a difference in this life and hey, we win in the end y'know !! I've read to the end of the book. You have good mentors here Scrapme.

o:)

Scrapme, it's always darkest before the dawn!

I have been there myself, either due to burnout or just not enough scrap. Keep your chin up, it ain't easy being us but once you turn in you will realize just what your hard work meant.

You will still be hooked, you will still want to get out there and tame those negative demons! Do right by our trade and you will go far! It takes a while to learn but, if you ever want to vent please don't feel bad for it - we have all been there and will listen.

I am sending you cyber hugs right now {{HUGS}}

Man is often destroyed from the inside out... rarely from the outside in.

Simply reading these posts will not make you feel better, only using the advice given and working at making the changes inward and outward will. I deal with depression quite a bit myself, it is not easy, and its not something that you only have to "fix" one time. Its a constant effort for sure. Chin up, make a plan, organize your thoughts, eliminate your negativity at the perceived situation and press forward. Good luck my friend!

It's called life. We have all been there. It is what teaches us how to cope with life. Any one who does not go through these lessons has no survival skills and would not survive a real disaster.

I'm an adrenalin junkie, always have been. I have lived on the edge all my life. I could have been and done any thing I wanted but, I chose to live life on my terms and, always have.

I have gone from the top to the bottom many many times.

I started this scrap business 3 years ago with absolutely 0, no money, no tools, no prospects, What greater sence of accomplishment can there be then starting from there. You have done it all, no one else.

put on your big boy pants (if you don't have any, GET A PAIR). Not tomorrow or next week but right now. break every thing down. If you can't , sell $20 worth of scrap and buy an angle grinder.

Study this forum and the posts, there is a PHD degree in scrap at your finger tips FREE. or give up and join the other 10s of millions who won't survive the next 10 years. just my .02

Thanks everyone for the advice, encouragement and letting me know I am not alone. Looks like a lot of you have been through depression and some still working through it each day. I am thinking it's going to be a daily battle for me, but trying to take one day at a time. No quick fixes, but steady and repetitive work each day.

The older you get you realize everyone goes through these times in their lives. Some succumb to negative ways of dealing with depression or the blues or just ****ting times. You are working on it in a more positive way.

My advise is get up every morning and keep trying if you do you will succeed. Look for little things that are positive and you will find more. Best of luck Mike.

Perspective is reality. If we feel we are down, we will be down. Those that read my perspectives will assume all is great in my life. Far from the truth. I wake up every day glad that I am upright and kicking or waking up on the right side of the grass. Lost everything I owned 12 years ago when my home burned to the ground. The family went different directions four years ago. This forum provided motivation, contacts, and a desire to move on. Standing on your assets and taking one step forward at a time provides momentum. A walk turns into a jog, a jog into a run, and pretty soon you are challenged by a marathon. Be thankful for what you have, use your resources, look forward and not backwards, and be thankful you are better off than 75% of your peers. This perspective will change your reality and eventually your life. Good luck and keep us posted.

Scrapme, when I said earlier that I've been there too, I meant it. About 10 years ago I went through major depression to the point of being suicidal. Depression is nothing to mess with. I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I went to seek professional help. I know I shouldn't be, but there is a stigma attached to seeing a counselor. I'm here to tell you that by the grace of God my perspective, as Patriot mentioned, has totally turned around. Life still has it's ups and downs, but I'm living a good life now, and glad I got the help. Just my experience.
PM me if you want.

I have said it more than once on here, if you have ever been in the hospital thinking (or not knowing at the time) that your gonna die, you just learn to not sweat over the little ****. It just isn't worth it. Life's too short. Pick yourself by your bootstraps and get back to what you want to do.

It means a lot that you guys are willing to share your stories…it takes courage, because there does seem to be somewhat of a stigma with depression. I believe there can be something chemical that happens same as any illness, but that's controversial.

Each person, I suppose, has to find their own way of coping and hopefully recovering. Just like there are different degrees of things like infections, which may require stronger antibiotics, guess there's also levels of depression, which may need different levels of care.

I certainly am in thr throes of still being depressed, anxious, etc. But am holding onto the rope up and pulling hard. Trying to do something productive (such as scrapping) each day, even if a small amount.

Sincerely, thank you for sharing your stories. The testimonials of recovery and of contniuing walking through recovery from depression on a daily basis helps me feel there truly are people who understand. All of you are making a difference in my daily life as I try to pull back up this seemingly bottomless well. I read and reread your posts and feel support. I hope I can contribute (eventually) to the lives of fellow scrappers as well.

Here's to a new day for all of us and a new chance to pull further up the rope to fresh light!~

scrapme I know what u r going thru ....I'm going thru tha same thing u r .... In the last 2 years I lost my mom and dad plus some close friends ... I had to close my car business
3 years ago due to health reasons and I made some bad business decisons trying to help other people that turned out bad ... so far I still have a roof over my head and food on the table ... it gets hard when u was used to going every day and things looked so good but it can turn bad in a split second

Good Luck and get some exercise when you are feeling down (the endorphin rush usually helps me) . Also remember to reflect and appreciate the fact that here in the USA we can live of other peoples trash! YEAH! :D

Yeah, exercise does help., adrenaline seems to produce more adrenaline. But it is admittedly hard getting to the adrenaline point. Everything seems to be in painfully slow motion, almost as if dragging a ball and chain around with me and is depleting. But I am daily working on my perspective and taking at least small steps to be productive. Feels silly but giving myself credit even if only accomplish something small each day. Telling myself the small will add up, with time. Trying to get something ready for the scrapyard, even if it's just a bag of insulated wire...clearing space might help too! Seeing pics of some of your workshops, I'm hoping working in somewhat cleaner space can help de-clutter ones' mind as well, at least a bit!? Worth a try!

Again, thanks to each one of you for the support. By being scrappers none of us have chosen the easiest path for cash, but one where we make our own choices. Thinking about my fellow SMF scrappers who are also daily walking through depression as I take a step out of this with each day. Thankful each of you has chosen to stay with life, your posts have been a help to me~

Feels silly but giving myself credit even if only accomplish something small each day.

Full article at Scrap Metal Forum: http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/off-t...#ixzz37lwHZpOl


It takes many small rain drops to make a flood. - Me, or someone famous who I can't recall.

Sirscrapalot - See quote thread, as I'm about to put some quotes! ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by scrapme

...clearing space might help too! Seeing pics of some of your workshops, I'm hoping working in somewhat cleaner space can help de-clutter ones' mind as well, at least a bit!? Worth a try!

---

That's a very good point you bring up here...When feeling overwhelmed and not sure how to approach a problem I will pick an area or even just start walking around and start organizing stuff. Soon things are looking better and clarity enters the mind as solutions for the real problem begin to unfold.

A clean shop stresses me out, means I'm not working hard enough, no mess!

;)

What KZ said tho is true for me to. If I got a lot on my plate, I pick a pile an go to town.

Sirscrapalot - Just saw the Butler. I give it two coolers on the sirscrapalot movie rating system.

as does it take many brass plug ends to fill a five gallon bucket!

Hey Scrapme, Just keep your head up, like others have said. We all have been there and myself is no exception. I spent 12 years working with/for my father-in-law in a small dead ended AC company that he started and didn't allow me to expand into something bigger. Then when he finally retired, he expected me to "take care" of his retirement pay. Well started scrapping electronics and had some really dark days with it at the beginning, that was 3 years ago now, spent many hours reading here, there, and everywhere on the internet about the different laws and regs and classes and everything. I flooded myself with information and then started with all the free advertising I could find. Now I have gotten about 1/8th of the way I would like to travel.

Point being, I feel your state of mind, just keep at it and be patient, It will grow if you want it to and work at it.

I heard this lady speak yesterday about climbing Mt Everest. They spent two months on the Mountain in miserable conditions. It was so bad at one point going up she had to take 5-10 breaths for every one step. They climbed at night and wore headlamps only seeing 10 ft in front so that was what they aimed for. They made it to within couple hundred feet of the summit and started running out of O2 and headed down on the way an ice avalanche missed them by ten feet. Her talk was about leadership and team work since she lead the team and one bad decision would cost everyone's life, if one team member didn't do their job everyone suffered.

After listening to her my advice is take one step at a time make a small goal I'm going to break down X amount today, tomorrow I will set another goal, at end of week I will head to the yard with X amount and get best price ..

Thanks for the continued encouragement. Climbing out of depression is continuing to be an ongoing step by step process, or so it seems as of now. Scrapping is something I have pinpointed to try and find some measure of feeling productive. Just trying to recover from depression is work in and of itself!!

Some of you have posted about having someone do you wrong. While it's nothing new, being treated as if one isn't worthy of honesty, etc. can truly take a toll emotionally. It requires a strong will, maybe a shot of vengeance, to overcome negatives from others. Yes, putting on big boy pants and sucking it up is part of the equation, but these measures take time to reach feelings such as depression. The painful time span between taking steps to and getting to recovery for me is the most difficult. But I am beiieving that each step will in the end make me stronger and be a learning experience, as others have posted.

Today, caught myself dreaming that I could post that the depression is gone...but truth is not yet. Everyone at SMF, thank you continually for helping me keep perspective and all the support.

From an old song..."every drop of rain that falls a flower grows". (Sounds good anyway!!)