I feel like I am stuck in life

Crossroads - A man standing at the crossroads not knowing which way to go in life. He could go one way but how does he know that will be the best way.
August 23, 2009 3:28pm CST
I am currently in my second year studying my fine art degree. I love it, it is the thing I have known I wanted to do since I was little and I certainly wouldn't want to do anything else degree wise. However, when I started my degree my intentions were alot different. My plans in life were to go onto do another degree after this one so I could finally become qualified as an art therapist and help others. After doing my course for a couple of months it was becoming obvious that my M.E. (that I have had for 13 years) was becoming worse and I was too ill to be in as much as they wanted me to be. The rest of the first year was a struggle but with help from a mentor I somehow managed to get all the work done that I needed to. She did say to me though that I am going to end up failing in the end if I don't transfer to the part time version of the course which means it will take me longer to do. Well at first I was really not liking that idea as by the time I could of been qualified as an art therapist I would of only just got my fine art degree. But I eventually came to terms with the fact that I couldn't help that my M.E. had got bad and I agreed to do so. This is probably the best point to say that I also have moderate clinical depression which quite often leaves me crying for days and unable to leave the house anyway. I also have social anxiety which is another hurdle to come across when it comes to doing things. So anyway, in order for me to go into part time education I have to find the funding for it as part time students can't recieve the funding like I had been able to before. I have been advised to apply for benefits as it is my health that is leaving me feeling this way. However, the process will involve speaking to lots of people which I am mentally unable to do right now. In fact the whole process seems so hard I just don't know where to begin. I am doing this all alone as I havn't told my parents as they will be less than sympathetic. The days where I am feeling well enough to get out of bed I feel like I should be going to sort all these benefits out but I just don't feel mentally well enough. The thought of being around people makes me feel even more depressed. I am on medication and am having councelling for this but it doesn't seem to be making much of a difference, more just that's it's taking up even more of my time making appointments with people so I have less energy for other things like sorting the benefits out. As you can see everything seems like a complete vicious circle. I am now going back to university full time which I have been advised against. I am still mentally unwell and being in the studio last year was so anxiety provoking for me I could only get by during the day by slashing my arms (sorry to be so graphic about it). By going back to university full time I will probably make my M.E. even worse but I have to do something in life. As my mother constantly reminds me, I can't sit and do nothing. I have to say this really annoys me as I am disabled yet my boyfriend has been doing basically nothing for 2 years and my younger sister doesn't do anything either. I know of too many people who don't do anything and live at home yet I am not allowed to do that to get better. I have no idea what to even care about in life anymore. I don't have any friends because of this anxiety. I feel very alone in everything. My family don't have a sympathetic bone in their body about me having M.E. and say I should be having a job while studying full time so I can learn to drive and have a car. Anyway, I have got to the age where I feel I am ready to move out anyway. I want my freedom and everything but I can't move out as I won't be able to earn enough money to support myself. The most I could work is part time which will no way near be enough money. I have a boyfriend but he is now a student too and couldn't afford to live with me either. And having social anxiety means there is no way I would be able to live with anyone else like putting an advert for a housemate or something. Anyway, I didn't want this to seem like a big moan because I do like my life I am just so confused as to what to think, what is the most important thing to do and it is so hard to know what the most important thing to do right now is and what I won't look back on and think was stupid. I don't want to give up on my studies. I don't want to sound pompous or anything but I know I am clever and I like knowing I am using my brain to do something and not letting it go to waste. I am not sure really what I want people to say to this. Maybe you might have an idea of where to start. I just thought I would write it all down since we get paid to write on here and maybe someone will be bothered to read all of this and have some insight into the situation. Thanks to anyone who actually read this.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@meapas (2436)
• India
24 Aug 09
First of all set yourself free from all the unwanted thoughts. You know that you are clever. Complete your studies with what ever option you have. Focus only in studies. The basic difference between a looser and a winner is "focus". Remember determination,dedication and discipline gets you success. There is no gain without pain. Make your mind stronger to fight any evil on your own. Be pillar of strength for yourself and for others. There are so many less fortunate students than you, think of them. You have written such a long discussion that means you have all the patience to complete what you have undertaken in life. Cheer up and get on with your studies. There will be a sweet tomorrow. Fruits of hard labour is sweeter. You can come out winning and laughing. Remember world will laugh with you when you laugh but it won't cry with you when you cry. Try to stand tall amidst the ruins and take on the world. You can do it. There is nothing you can't do if you set your eyes and focus. Best of luck and God bless you.
25 Aug 09
Thankyou for reading and replying Meapas. And I think what you are saying is exactly what I need to do. I can't thankyou enough for replying and helping me realise that is what I need to do. I am going to do everything I can to get my education finished with. It is going to be my number one priority and everything that gets in the way I will deal with as it comes. I am going to look back on this reply everytime I feel like giving up.
2 people like this
@meapas (2436)
• India
25 Aug 09
You have won more than half the battle by making up your mind to go for it come what may. This is the biggest positive side of a great personality. I have already started visualizing you giving advice to the people who have lost hope of making it big in life how to fight and win the battle of life. Hope you will be there for people who have lost their way in life to show the light. God helps her who helps herself and others. May God give you all the strength to fight and win. Best of luck.
1 person likes this
@voldrox (7191)
• India
25 Aug 09
Hi pinklemonade.... umm i don't exactly know how to reply to this, at the least i am responding to you for letting you know that i have read everything you have written here, and i am there to listen to you. I understand you are in a very difficult situation right now and there are many obstacles you are facing, don't think you are alone, there are many people out there who have problems like you and some even worse... but strong determination is what makes them keep moving and achieve the things in life they always wanted, and i am sure you can do that too... you have your eyes set on the goal and all you are facing are obstacles which you have to overcome, think about those people who can't even see their goal through the fog! I can't suggest you what to start with, but i know you are smart enough to do that:) ... all you need is support and strength, strong determination is sometimes all you need, don't think about what others might think, just do the right thing...and they will admire you later... keep going pinklemonade i know you are strong enough and i will be there to listen to you... all my very best wishes and prayers for you my dear friend:)
25 Aug 09
Thank you so much for being there Voldrox. Thanks for reading and replying, you are a great friend to have here on MyLot : ) I am going to try and gain strength to overcome these obstacles and it is going to help me knowing you are there to listen
1 person likes this
@voldrox (7191)
• India
26 Aug 09
I am glad to have such a nice friend as you pinklemonade . . . I am here as always