Nice post Tess.Tess wrote:...
I do regret that so much of my time is spent at the office. I see it as a training of sorts, rather like a monastery. I try to take away the positive training and leave behind the bad. I find my work is an excellent way to learn about myself and practice responding in a more healthy manner to nastiness and frustration.
I find a lot of motivation in trying to teach myself skills that are 'timeless' in the sense that they are useful regardless of how much energy we have at our command. Ultimately though I recognise that cruelty, violence and selfishness are going to outlive me whatever I do and I think I find that the most frustrating thing of all. It's just not fixable. Even Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed (pboh) all left a world still largely motivated by personal gain.
The two great questions in life are 1) Who are we? and 2) What should we do? I feel content with my own answer to the former, but an answer to the latter still entirely eludes me. Everything I love flows from a respect for the Life that arises in all living things. But how few people will ever make that their focus?
I'm preparing for a total breakdown...
Moderator: Peak Moderation
Re: I'm preparing for a total breakdown...
Quite possibly. And you've adjusted to it. Lots of walking can help with mild depression.Andy Hunt wrote:I think I may have been depressed all my life!skeptik wrote:Do you have trouble getting out of bed in the mornings?
When I say mornings I mean mornings. Depressed people often can't get up till the late afternoon, if at all. The body feels like lead, exhausted, and everything is pointless, just too difficult to cope with.
Serious clinical depression which leads to a dysfunctional lifestyle requires intervention. Counselling and anti-depressants. Prozac, which I'm now off, worked a treat for me. A tendency to periodic depression runs in my family on my fathers side.
I think actually that I do suffer from some mild form of depression. It tends to be worse in the winter months, particularly early in the year.
I find that working in the garden and general outdoor activities really make me feel much better. Had a bit of a potter in the garden yesterday and this morning, and I feel great.
Funnily enough, if it's a nice day and I have work in the garden to do, I can't stay in bed, I am up and out and 'at it'!
I find that working in the garden and general outdoor activities really make me feel much better. Had a bit of a potter in the garden yesterday and this morning, and I feel great.
Funnily enough, if it's a nice day and I have work in the garden to do, I can't stay in bed, I am up and out and 'at it'!
Andy Hunt
http://greencottage.burysolarclub.net
http://greencottage.burysolarclub.net
Eternal Sunshine wrote: I wouldn't want to worry you with the truth.
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21st_century_caveman
- Posts: 208
- Joined: 23 May 2007, 20:43
- Location: Still on this feckin island
MisterE, what you say is spot on.
I've recently been thinking more about the uncertain nature of PO and i think you do need to step back, still prepare for it mentally and physically but not let it take over your life.
For example, i've just completed my first week of an MSc in renewable energy at CAT with a view to working in the renewable energy industry but its all too easy to think "whats the point, civilisation is probably going collapse next tuesday", yeah sure it could, but i'm now going to go about my life on the premise that it wont otherwise i'll be paralysed with inaction.
I've also been doing far too much of what you describe in point number 4 (well smoking and drinking anyway)
, and not getting enough number 9 
.
Seriously though i'm not a morning person, i could have very little sleep one night and get up early but by bed time the next night could still go on and on, i think i might be mildly insomniac which is probably a symptom of depression.
Oh god, i cant take it any more.
I've recently been thinking more about the uncertain nature of PO and i think you do need to step back, still prepare for it mentally and physically but not let it take over your life.
For example, i've just completed my first week of an MSc in renewable energy at CAT with a view to working in the renewable energy industry but its all too easy to think "whats the point, civilisation is probably going collapse next tuesday", yeah sure it could, but i'm now going to go about my life on the premise that it wont otherwise i'll be paralysed with inaction.
I've also been doing far too much of what you describe in point number 4 (well smoking and drinking anyway)
, and not getting enough number 9 .As someone who has tried to practice Buddhism in the past (must get back into it), what you say is certainly the best method of practicing it, you just cant learn anything if you put yourself in nice fluffy situations all the time.Tess wrote: I do regret that so much of my time is spent at the office. I see it as a training of sorts, rather like a monastery. I try to take away the positive training and leave behind the bad. I find my work is an excellent way to learn about myself and practice responding in a more healthy manner to nastiness and frustration.
Yes, but its a function of how much alcohol i consumed the night before.skeptik wrote: Do you have trouble getting out of bed in the mornings?
Seriously though i'm not a morning person, i could have very little sleep one night and get up early but by bed time the next night could still go on and on, i think i might be mildly insomniac which is probably a symptom of depression.
Oh god, i cant take it any more.
Humans always do the most intelligent thing after every stupid alternative has failed. - R. Buckminster Fuller
If you stare too long into the abyss, the abyss will stare back into you. - Friedrich Nietzche
If you stare too long into the abyss, the abyss will stare back into you. - Friedrich Nietzche
Your going to die that?s not changed by peak oil , I think that fact on its own could lead to nihilism
Peak oil is no big deal the worst that can happen is you can get killed or suffer pain or see other people suffer pain and that can happen anywhere and is likely to happen anyway wherever you try to hide .
To hell with going to the doctor undergo some sort of crazy ordeal stay awake for days if you keep walking about your unlikely to fall asleep that?s what I do if Im feeling slightly depressed.
The plains Indians used to suspend themselves by skewers through their chest muscles to see visions , knights used to sit vigil, jesus spent 40 days and forty nights in the wilderness fasting being tempted by satan this is all more fun and of a experience than going to the doctor also it can make you stronger
That?s the sort of thing Id advise .
And go to somewhere else if you want wherever you go death and pain await but that?s kinda funny in a way isn?t it
The book of the samurai
http://users.tkk.fi/~renko/hag1.html
Peak oil is no big deal the worst that can happen is you can get killed or suffer pain or see other people suffer pain and that can happen anywhere and is likely to happen anyway wherever you try to hide .
To hell with going to the doctor undergo some sort of crazy ordeal stay awake for days if you keep walking about your unlikely to fall asleep that?s what I do if Im feeling slightly depressed.
The plains Indians used to suspend themselves by skewers through their chest muscles to see visions , knights used to sit vigil, jesus spent 40 days and forty nights in the wilderness fasting being tempted by satan this is all more fun and of a experience than going to the doctor also it can make you stronger
That?s the sort of thing Id advise .
And go to somewhere else if you want wherever you go death and pain await but that?s kinda funny in a way isn?t it
The book of the samurai
http://users.tkk.fi/~renko/hag1.htmlAnd don't forget - 'tis the season to be jolly . . . 
Andy Hunt
http://greencottage.burysolarclub.net
http://greencottage.burysolarclub.net
Eternal Sunshine wrote: I wouldn't want to worry you with the truth.
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21st_century_caveman
- Posts: 208
- Joined: 23 May 2007, 20:43
- Location: Still on this feckin island
Oh yes, i live in an area which is unusually blessed by certain types of FUNghi. Already been out hunting, didnt find any though, the season seems to have shifted a bit.
Hell, it beats skewers through the cheast i think, actually that must have been before they came to know spirits of the peyote cactus and the humble 'shroom.
Hell, it beats skewers through the cheast i think, actually that must have been before they came to know spirits of the peyote cactus and the humble 'shroom.
Humans always do the most intelligent thing after every stupid alternative has failed. - R. Buckminster Fuller
If you stare too long into the abyss, the abyss will stare back into you. - Friedrich Nietzche
If you stare too long into the abyss, the abyss will stare back into you. - Friedrich Nietzche
No, not this one . . .Erik wrote:[Ha ha, that's not a picture from your garden then?!!
Maybe I should look into getting some spores, for 'post peak' entertainment purposes . . .
Andy Hunt
http://greencottage.burysolarclub.net
http://greencottage.burysolarclub.net
Eternal Sunshine wrote: I wouldn't want to worry you with the truth.
Hmmm... yes and no, could be fun but I dunno, depends on how "nice" things turn out in the future I guess. I reckon I'll want to have my wits about me 24h a day if the neighbourhood starts going all Mad Max around me!Andy Hunt wrote:No, not this one . . .Erik wrote:[Ha ha, that's not a picture from your garden then?!!
Maybe I should look into getting some spores, for 'post peak' entertainment purposes . . .
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mikepepler
- Site Admin
- Posts: 3096
- Joined: 24 Nov 2005, 11:09
- Location: Rye, UK
- Contact:
Hi Haggis,
I felt a bit like you do know back in 2004. I found retraining for renewable energy helped, and getting involved in outdoor practical work (woodland stuff) helped even more - and you don't have to own a wood to start getting the experience, there's loads of places you can go and volunteer. It's a good day out, you learn a skill and get fit too!
I felt a bit like you do know back in 2004. I found retraining for renewable energy helped, and getting involved in outdoor practical work (woodland stuff) helped even more - and you don't have to own a wood to start getting the experience, there's loads of places you can go and volunteer. It's a good day out, you learn a skill and get fit too!
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RenewableCandy
- Posts: 12777
- Joined: 12 Sep 2007, 12:13
- Location: York
Guys you might have mild SAD (seasonally-assoc. depression) caused by lack of daylight. I got it when I lived in Glasgow, I worked full-time bit I took up jogging round the park just before lunch each day, I had no idea why that made me feel SO MUCH BETTER til someone told me about this SAD. So yes getting out into the woods/lotties would help a lot.
Hey and good luck 21CC I did that course it was one of the best decisions I ever made!
Hey and good luck 21CC I did that course it was one of the best decisions I ever made!
Happy days!
As usual everyone's spot on.
I relate to Haggis's current state of mind, it's mine to a large extent too. I have to say that I think I am pretty childish and self indulgent to have the thoughts in the first place. Grow up (talking to myself here) you've been really lucky to have been born into such a great life so far.
I've given suicide a pretty sharp look but obviously not going that way; it would leave my kids motherless - way too selfish.
Better to rely on MisterE's advice, especially the bits which involve exercise.
Really, do exercise as much as possible, there's lots of choice and it helps keep you away from drugs, prescription or otherwise.
Recently, when I have been unable to stay positive I've let the gremlins out and been totally obnoxious. Try it. Believe me that will give you something to think about. See the bad side of you in all its glory. Maybe, then you'll relate to some of the better, more positive people who hang around here.
As usual everyone's spot on.
I relate to Haggis's current state of mind, it's mine to a large extent too. I have to say that I think I am pretty childish and self indulgent to have the thoughts in the first place. Grow up (talking to myself here) you've been really lucky to have been born into such a great life so far.
I've given suicide a pretty sharp look but obviously not going that way; it would leave my kids motherless - way too selfish.
Better to rely on MisterE's advice, especially the bits which involve exercise.
Really, do exercise as much as possible, there's lots of choice and it helps keep you away from drugs, prescription or otherwise.
Recently, when I have been unable to stay positive I've let the gremlins out and been totally obnoxious. Try it. Believe me that will give you something to think about. See the bad side of you in all its glory. Maybe, then you'll relate to some of the better, more positive people who hang around here.
Energy in - rubbish out
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WolfattheDoor
- Posts: 318
- Joined: 10 Jan 2006, 13:19
- Location: Devon
- Contact:
I find my present job (in graphic design) seems more and more pointless so I hope to leave the UK next year and go abroad teaching English, probably in East Europe initially.
I know, PO-wise, it's not a particularly useful career move but at least I hope to get more out of the last few years pre-peak. I also think other countries will survive better than the mismanaged, xenophobic authoritarian society that we are becoming in the (y)UK.
So maybe what you need to do, Haggis, is break away from the rat race and put some purpose back in life.
I know, PO-wise, it's not a particularly useful career move but at least I hope to get more out of the last few years pre-peak. I also think other countries will survive better than the mismanaged, xenophobic authoritarian society that we are becoming in the (y)UK.
So maybe what you need to do, Haggis, is break away from the rat race and put some purpose back in life.
www.wolfatthedoor.org.uk
Alerting the world to the dangers of peak oil
Alerting the world to the dangers of peak oil
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RenewableCandy
- Posts: 12777
- Joined: 12 Sep 2007, 12:13
- Location: York
Ah a trip to Eastern Europe may be useful for finding out about preparations and the gentle art of Living With Less. Depending on where you go, but in the bits I've seen (mainly Russia)...
people still grow a lot of their own food, especially the vitamin/medicinal sort, they also know how to preserve it for the winter.
masonary stoves are commonplace (at least in the countryside)
most people can identify anything wild you can eat (berries, mushrooms) and know how to cook it (yummm!)
heck, people still repair things! If you have anything (watch, boots, etc) that no-one will repair here, and it's not too awkward to carry, take it with you.
Vi govarite po-Russkii?
(or even better!) Magyarul??
people still grow a lot of their own food, especially the vitamin/medicinal sort, they also know how to preserve it for the winter.
masonary stoves are commonplace (at least in the countryside)
most people can identify anything wild you can eat (berries, mushrooms) and know how to cook it (yummm!)
heck, people still repair things! If you have anything (watch, boots, etc) that no-one will repair here, and it's not too awkward to carry, take it with you.
Vi govarite po-Russkii?
(or even better!) Magyarul??