![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Christ_empowered on August 19, 2010, at 15:27:52
My family and I decided that it would be best for me to move to a different state and give this whole "productive member of society" thing one last go. I'm 26. My parents are supporting me until I can support myself. I've been here for 2 months, no job, but I may get a part-time gig soon through the place where I go for therapy and meds.
I'm socially isolated. I want to go to church, but I'm so socially awkward and nervous all the time. Plus, what do I say when they ask me "what do you do?" Ummm...nothing. I chill out, look for work, and post on psycho-babble. What brings you to this town? Well, I screwed up everywhere else I've lived, so this place seemed good enough. Besides, I went to rehab here at a place in town...
The few people I do know are through the rehab place I went last year. They're not the best people, and I'm trying to dodge all their phone calls at the moment.
I should be excited. I am sometimes excited. I get to start over in a place where very few people know me. Maybe by the time I'm 30 I'll be a functioning member of society.
I just feel like such a loser at the moment.
Posted by Phillipa on August 19, 2010, at 18:29:38
In reply to How do you I get a life? And other Qs, posted by Christ_empowered on August 19, 2010, at 15:27:52
Hey we've known each other for a long time. I know how intelligent you also are. With the economy the way it is so many people are out of work. Don't anywhere there is work. Not here and you know where that is. What are you trained in and you talk about the rehab. What position are you qualified for as so many people in recovery the full staff is also recovering. Let me Know. Phillipa
Posted by Deneb on August 19, 2010, at 18:40:21
In reply to How do you I get a life? And other Qs, posted by Christ_empowered on August 19, 2010, at 15:27:52
I feel the same way. I'm 2 years older than you and I have yet to become a productive member of society. I've worked a little before, but it wasn't a career. I've been trying to finish my degree for like 10 years.
I've never lived on my own. I live with my parents. I need to get a part time job soon because I'm running out of money and I don't want to use up too much of my parent's money.
I'm hoping this this school year, I will finally get my act together and graduate. Then I can start looking for jobs I guess. I don't know what I'm doing with my life.
I feel like the biggest loser. All my high school friends are way more successful than I am. They're buying houses, succeeding in their careers, getting married and having babies.
Posted by Christ_empowered on August 19, 2010, at 19:53:59
In reply to Re: How do you I get a life? And other Qs » Christ_empowered, posted by Deneb on August 19, 2010, at 18:40:21
yeah, this whole "mental illness" thing has really hampered my development. I'm planning on going back to school for a health-related vocational field, not so much to finish an undergrad degree.
My high school friends are "real" adults. They're married. They have kids. They have (advanced) degrees. Then...there's me.
At least I moved. Here, I'm just another mentally ill person trying to make his way forward. Back where I'm from, I was *that guy*--the loser with mental problems who'd dropped out of school, the "crazy" loser who couldn't keep a job. Small towns can be so oppressive, you know.
So now, I've put down the Thomas Szasz and picked up the Abilify; I guess you could say I'm facing reality by taking drugs.
Deneb--I think you and I are in similar positions. I think my parents are pretty determined to get me out of the house and out of my old area, which is why they're willing to give me $$$ while I try to get my act together. Hopefully this time I'll make a go of it. You are a smart person; I'm sure you'll also make a go of your life.
Phillipa--good to talk to you again. I remember emailing you back in the day, back when I was severely ill, hearing voices and generally miserable. Thanks for taking an interest in my life.
Posted by Phillipa on August 19, 2010, at 20:34:57
In reply to growing up, getting a life..., posted by Christ_empowered on August 19, 2010, at 19:53:59
And at the time I sincerly would have never known. I remember what your parents do and that must also make it hard. Love Phillipa
Posted by sigismund on August 21, 2010, at 21:51:51
In reply to How do you I get a life? And other Qs, posted by Christ_empowered on August 19, 2010, at 15:27:52
>I'm socially isolated. I want to go to church, but I'm so socially awkward and nervous all the time. Plus, what do I say when they ask me "what do you do?" Ummm...nothing. I chill out, look for work, and post on psycho-babble. What brings you to this town? Well, I screwed up everywhere else I've lived, so this place seemed good enough. Besides, I went to rehab here at a place in town...
The trick is finding people who think that sort of answer is refreshing.
It can be done.
Posted by sigismund on August 21, 2010, at 21:58:39
In reply to growing up, getting a life..., posted by Christ_empowered on August 19, 2010, at 19:53:59
Being real adults with marriage and kids has its drawbacks.
I'm always rather pleased when my son says he's not going to do it.
It reminds me of myself saying years ago that I wasn't going to have anything to do with the reproduction of life under any circumstances.
All sorts of shapes and sizes can make a reasonable life, and conversely can be hellish.
I hate the idea of losers. It's so (excuse me) impossibly common.
Time for me to leave, but I will say we should just give up on normal and try to be good, and to be real while we do it, but not necessarily in that order.
Posted by Free on August 22, 2010, at 20:09:07
In reply to Re: growing up, getting a life..., posted by sigismund on August 21, 2010, at 21:58:39
> Time for me to leave, but I will say we should just give up on normal and try to be good, and to be real while we do it, but not necessarily in that order.
I agree with this simple and clear formula. This is where I have stopped my train for now.
Smile, breathe and go slowly. tnh
Posted by sigismund on August 24, 2010, at 1:22:23
In reply to Re: growing up, getting a life... » sigismund, posted by Free on August 22, 2010, at 20:09:07
I'm always trying to incriminate myself, as with
>I hate the idea of losers. It's so (excuse me) impossibly common.
which is not so much wrong, but could be put better.Just as the brain is not a bowl of soup, life is not a race.
Life is what you make it, and if you want to make it a race you can.
Whoever dies with the most toys wins.
Reminds me of the Amerindian who dissolved into tears on hearing a priest explain Christianity. See, I've done it again.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.