Self-love and mental health: Where do you start?

Over the last year, I’ve somehow drifted into a state of pure resentment toward everything.
I didn't even realize how much I was isolating myself, turning down invitations and pulling away from everyone. I’ve stopped buying things altogether. My phone screen is shattered, and while I have the savings to fix it, I just can't bring myself to buy anything nice—except for the occasional candy bar or soda.😛

For instance, I dealt with some physical health issues that eventually spiraled into mental ones. Even after my physical health stabilized, I realized I was stuck in a depression. I started lying to people just to push them away, lost all my drive... it’s been a struggle. I wanted to change, but as time went on, I passed up chances at relationships because I felt it wouldn't be fair to get involved while being this unhappy. Avoiding intimacy only made the loneliness worse.

Has anyone else navigated this, or is anyone currently in the same boat? I honestly can't see an end in sight.

It’s vital to get to the bottom of where this self-loathing and these feelings of worthlessness are coming from—whether you tackle it alone or decide to sit down with a therapist. Do you have any idea what might be triggering this? Perhaps there's a lingering sense of guilt or a heavy conscience driving what you're experiencing right now. You don't have to lay it all out here if you aren't ready; just try to find those answers within yourself.

Is it possible I’m bipolar?

Anthony White85 said:Over the last year, I’ve somehow drifted into a state of pure resentment toward everything.
I didn't even realize how much I was isolating myself, turning down invitations and pulling away from everyone. I’ve stopped buying things altogether. My phone screen is shattered, and while I have the savings to fix it, I just can't bring myself to buy anything nice—except for the occasional candy bar or soda.😛

For instance, I dealt with some physical health issues that eventually spiraled into mental ones. Even after my physical health stabilized, I realized I was stuck in a depression. I started lying to people just to push them away, lost all my drive... it’s been a struggle. I wanted to change, but as time went on, I passed up chances at relationships because I felt it wouldn't be fair to get involved while being this unhappy. Avoiding intimacy only made the loneliness worse.

Has anyone else navigated this, or is anyone currently in the same boat? I honestly can't see an end in sight.

Pretty much everyone hits a wall at some point; we all deal with different stuff, but I think it's fair to say everyone goes through those rough patches where it feels like things will never get better.

I totally agree with you that jumping into a relationship while you're struggling isn't the move. Try to sit down and really dig into what's making you unhappy—when did this all start and why do you feel the need to pull away from everyone? Once you answer those questions, being brutally honest with yourself, you'll probably find that half your problems are already halfway solved.

I know the media and people around us (honestly, just look at Instagram😁) are constantly pushing this "LIFE IS PERFECT" narrative, but that's so far from reality! There are seasons in life where you DON'T need a massive circle of friends, going out every night, acting happy and cool, having a partner, traveling, and having everyone begging to hang out. Personally, I think sometimes you just need to allow yourself to isolate a bit to work through certain issues and doubts, so in that sense, pulling back can actually be a good thing. Just try starting by doing the little things you actually enjoy that make you feel a bit better.

Anthony White85 said:Over the last year, I’ve somehow drifted into a state of pure resentment toward everything.
I didn't even realize how much I was isolating myself, turning down invitations and pulling away from everyone. I’ve stopped buying things altogether. My phone screen is shattered, and while I have the savings to fix it, I just can't bring myself to buy anything nice—except for the occasional candy bar or soda.😛

For instance, I dealt with some physical health issues that eventually spiraled into mental ones. Even after my physical health stabilized, I realized I was stuck in a depression. I started lying to people just to push them away, lost all my drive... it’s been a struggle. I wanted to change, but as time went on, I passed up chances at relationships because I felt it wouldn't be fair to get involved while being this unhappy. Avoiding intimacy only made the loneliness worse.

Has anyone else navigated this, or is anyone currently in the same boat? I honestly can't see an end in sight.

I’m guessing you aren't that old, so this feels like a case of being disappointed in yourself and your friends.
Maybe those health issues knocked you off your track, and now you feel like you can't find your way back.
It feels like you're at a crossroads, but really, you're just growing up (or, better yet, evolving).
Try building new connections based on actual honesty. Relationships are always worth it if you're both in a similar headspace
and looking for a way out. Read more, learn more—maybe then life's lessons won't feel quite so surreal.

Look, I’m definitely no doctor or anything, but honestly, man, this sounds like the textbook start of depression or maybe even dysthymia—just that heavy, negative cloud hanging over everything. Speaking from my own messy experience, things are only gonna spiral if you just let it ride. Eventually, you end up isolating yourself so much and just wrecking your life to the point where you don't even have the spark left to pull yourself back out. Depression is like a hole in the ground; the longer you keep digging, the harder it gets to climb out. And hey, if you're into that spiritual stuff, there's definitely a connection there to the Law of Attraction.
EDIT: One reason why it's so easy to ignore the fallout and just get sucked into that vicious cycle is suicidal ideation. Have you been having any thoughts about suicide?

Anthony White85 said:Over the last year, I’ve somehow drifted into a state of pure resentment toward everything.
I didn't even realize how much I was isolating myself, turning down invitations and pulling away from everyone. I’ve stopped buying things altogether. My phone screen is shattered, and while I have the savings to fix it, I just can't bring myself to buy anything nice—except for the occasional candy bar or soda.😛

For instance, I dealt with some physical health issues that eventually spiraled into mental ones. Even after my physical health stabilized, I realized I was stuck in a depression. I started lying to people just to push them away, lost all my drive... it’s been a struggle. I wanted to change, but as time went on, I passed up chances at relationships because I felt it wouldn't be fair to get involved while being this unhappy. Avoiding intimacy only made the loneliness worse.

Has anyone else navigated this, or is anyone currently in the same boat? I honestly can't see an end in sight.

What happened to you a year ago?
Did something force you into such a deep standstill if you weren't already feeling this intensity before?

You do not love yourself!
Learn to love yourself...
Stand in front of your mirror and look at yourself until the person looking back responds..
Empty yourself so that something can finally fill you up 🙄

I know people who are going through this and those who have moved past it...
and the answer is as simple as what I wrote above.

Love yourself...😍