Melodious Suggestions

hi angel!!

i totally understand how quarantine can negatively affect your mental health - isolation can cause cabin fever, and boredom can allow time and space for preexisting mental illnesses (such as anxiety and depression) to fester. as someone who suffers from both, i of course would recommend spending time outside when the weather is nice! personally i like to roller skate in my neighborhood (i actually picked up the hobby during quarantine). but, since you've already said that the weather doesn't always permit trips outside, i would also recommend picking up a hobby/hobbies that can be done inside! ideally creative hobbies, such as art journaling, writing, drawing, making music/playing an instrument, sewing, embroidery, etc. cooking or baking might also be nice hobbies to pick up. in my experience, creative hobbies and hobbies that busy your hands offer the best solace from poor mental health, as creative hobbies can help you express your emotions in a healthy way, and there's just something about letting your hands do things on autopilot and letting your mind wander that's therapeutic.

i'd also like to remind you that during these times of isolation and distance, connection is more important than ever. don't be afraid to reach out to others, whether that be to those living with you (if anyone does) or to your friends through technology. we're very fortunate to live in a day and age in which distance can be bridged by facetime, texting, and social media, so i'd definitely encourage you to take advantage of those resources if you can!!

hi angel!

if you’re used to negativity or negative circumstances in your life, it makes sense that you wouldn’t expect good things or would tend towards pessimism. to me, it sounds like your circumstances may be aggravating a mental disorder, like anxiety and/or depression, which can cause low self-esteem, feelings of isolation or worthlessness, pessimism or a sense that life is senseless or useless, and feelings of being misunderstood or alone. if you have a predisposition to a disorder like this, circumstances like poverty or turbulence in the household can definitely aggravate them or bring them about. i have an anxiety disorder, and while i was living at home with my parents (in a lower-income, often conflict-filled and occasionally violent household), i had panic attacks and was often strongly affected by my anxiety. now, however, i’m living on my own in a different city with my best friend and her sister, and my anxiety has definitely lessened.

you may not be able to do anything about your current circumstances, but i feel like reaching out to your friends, family, and/or others you trust (teachers/counselors/etc.) may help. although it can be scary to be vulnerable to others and admit you’re struggling, having a support system in your life can help a lot. you’re not a burden to your loved ones, and they will be happy to help in any way they can! but communication on your part is key.

also, i know this may not be helpful or much of a consolation right now, but please hear me out: it will get better in time. your circumstances seem like they may be playing a large part in your mental state, and i definitely know where you’re coming from! if someone had told me four or five years ago that i would be as happy, productive, and healthy as i am now, i’m not sure i would have believed them. however, things do improve. it may take time, but they will. please hold out and hold on even though things get hard.

omg hell yeah!!! congrats on being in a happy relationship!!!

i'm doing good, just potentially experiencing some changes in my medical condition that i need to get to the bottom of (i've been super tired lately for no reason and have been inexplicably gaining weight, so i'm gonna get my thyroid checked). i also just started college!! so that's been super cool as well.

hi lovey!

this also sometimes bothers me as well. what i do when i feel very lonely is channel that energy into something creative that i enjoy doing - writing, art journaling, reading, singing, etc. it helps me express my emotions without wallowing in them and letting them consume me, which i find very helpful!

additionally, if you don't have the energy to create, you could always read, watch a lighthearted show or movie, or play electronic games that require your full attention (preferably something with a problem-solving component, so that you have to focus on the game instead of zoning out while you're playing). sometimes just a lighthearted distraction is enough to shift your perspective!

lastly, don't be afraid to reach out and connect with others. texts, phone calls and video calls can do a lot for your mood when you're feeling isolated or lonely. sometimes, i find that i don't feel like talking to others when i'm lonely, but it's necessary to stop isolating myself and reach out; when i do, i end up feeling much better.

hi angel!

i would really encourage you to seek help for this. ik it's scary, but eating disorders will not make you healthier!! they're bad for you in multiple ways, both physically and mentally. your body is not designed to lose weight through extreme methods like purging or starving and it affects your whole body negatively. through treatment and help/support from family and professionals, you can find healthy thought processes and begin to view your body in a more positive light (bc whether you believe it or not, your body deserves love as it is!).

hi angel!!

sometimes people are just rude and mean for no reason. however, in your case, i think some of your friends might be a little envious of you? i'm not sure bc i don't live in your friend group, but from what you've told me, it sounds like your confidence could definitely be a point of envy for people who aren't as confident or for people who wish they could be more like you socially. that's definitely not your fault! keep being yourself and stay confident. the right people will appreciate that confidence instead of trying to tear you down.

hi lovey!

try not to let others define your struggles!! no one but you knows what you're going through or how you feel. however, i would encourage you to try to communicate more clearly with others if there are people in your life who would understand and/or try to help. as someone with mental illnesses, i know it's difficult to talk about it when things are difficult for you or your mental illnesses are acting up, but speaking personally, i've learned to do it and it's been very beneficial for my mental health and for my relationship with my friends and family. it took time to become comfortable doing so, and it's still a work in progress, but i think you'll find it will help a lot.

hi angel!

i'm sorry to hear y'all broke up. ik it can be really tough to deal with a breakup with someone you really loved, especially after you've been in such a long relationship. i would suggest keeping yourself busy in as many healthy (i repeat, healthy) ways as possible. try a new hobby. if there are classes you've been wanting to take (dance, pottery, art, writing, singing, etc etc), sign up for a few. definitely express your feelings however you feel is best (venting, journaling, creating, etc), but try not to wallow in it (there's a difference between letting off all that built-up steam and purposely staying down in the dumps - one makes you feel better and the other just makes you feel worse and worse). keep in mind that it will hurt for a while, but it will get better.

hi angel!!!

i understand how debilitating it can be to deal with severe social anxiety. personally, i would recommend going to see a therapist or maybe a medical professional. i suffer from gad rather than social anxiety (my anxiety is triggered by other stuff - i actually do fairly well in social settings), but my best friend really struggled with severe social anxiety since she was in about third grade (when we first met) until sixth grade. in sixth grade, she saw a doctor and got meds, and from there on it's only been uphill. (ofc, meds may not be the answer for you! everybody is different. however, please keep in mind that for many people, meds are very helpful and are a very effective treatment.)