You’re sharing a LOT, it takes courage. I have to **disagree** with one thing you wrote: “Nobody thinks about me enough to think I’m worth reaching out to.” **Michael, please know you DO have friends out here thinking about you and reaching out to you.** You have about 300 responses to your LinkedIn post. That is a LOT!! You started something, maybe a movement, to openly talk about suicidal thoughts on the LinkedIn platform. I hope you accept that all these people ARE caring about you and reaching out to you. At least one or two guys gave you their phone numbers... please give yourself some positive credit. Always best wishes. — Bobbi
Thanks Bobbi. You’re absolutely right; more people care about me than I realize. I just wanted to really capture what’s in my mind as I prepare for this next step.
Thank YOU for your support and your friendship. I’m really glad I got to meet you in real life. 🙌
Hi Michael, I'm sorry you're in so much pain. I know you're feeling all alone.
I've noticed that since Pandemic, in my life at least, that people reach out a lot less. I miss my friends. I send texts, emails, and even cards in the mail, and people don't respond or thank me. I don't know if lockdown did something permanent to all our relationships. None of my relationships, even my close ones, feel the same excitement that they used to hold.
So as painful as it is that you are isolated and people aren't reaching out, maybe it's not because of you. People seem overwhelmed and overtired in general. People have lost interest. I'm sorry you're feeling so alone.
Thanks Mara. I think there’s truth to what you’ve said. I self-isolated for years before the Pandemic even hit… and even now I think I still struggle because of it.
I appreciate your support! And I’m hoping more treatment really helps me turn this around.
Michael, I hear great fear, yet even greater hope in what you write. I will follow you on LinkedIn, as well as Substack, since you have so many more followers there. You have amazing self-insight and have obviously already done a great deal of work. Give yourself credit for that. As a stroke-survivor of 5+ years and a wounded healer of 50+ years, I know that there is always more work to be done peeling back your onion of self-awareness and then risking sharing it with others. You don't have to think or fear everything all at once. Just have enough hope and courage to step through those doors. One of my favorite quotes is from the book Just Mercy, where Bryan Stevenson says, "We are all better than the worst thing we have ever done." Your life already has so much more value than the worst things you fear bringing into the light. Trust the process. I look forward to reading about your continuing journey, Michael. Thank you so much for sharing what you have so far, already gifts beyond measure.
Thanks Nancy. It helps me tremendously to be able to put it all out there! Writing each week, exploring my own mental health — I’m learning so much about how I work. ❤️
The fact that it also is helping other people is just a bonus 😎
Michael, I am so sorry that you’re going through this and have gone through so much. I want you to know that so many people are pulling for you. We all want you to get well and be a happy person without fear and anxiety. Please let us know when you can how you are doing. I just feel like this time it’s gonna help you.
Will you be able to continue to post in Substack while you are in treatment? I was wondering what sort of online access they will allow. I am certain regular journaling will help you. Also, know that you are in my prayers for continuing recovery. I don’t know who or what your Higher Power is. I know that mine has evolved over the years. I am a recovering co-dependent. Blessings!
I don’t think I’ll be able to post. I think I’ll have limited access to my phone, and I’ll probably wanna use it to call family etc. But yeah, I 100% plan on journaling as often as they’ll allow me to!
You’re sharing a LOT, it takes courage. I have to **disagree** with one thing you wrote: “Nobody thinks about me enough to think I’m worth reaching out to.” **Michael, please know you DO have friends out here thinking about you and reaching out to you.** You have about 300 responses to your LinkedIn post. That is a LOT!! You started something, maybe a movement, to openly talk about suicidal thoughts on the LinkedIn platform. I hope you accept that all these people ARE caring about you and reaching out to you. At least one or two guys gave you their phone numbers... please give yourself some positive credit. Always best wishes. — Bobbi
Thanks Bobbi. You’re absolutely right; more people care about me than I realize. I just wanted to really capture what’s in my mind as I prepare for this next step.
Thank YOU for your support and your friendship. I’m really glad I got to meet you in real life. 🙌
I’m glad I got to meet you in real life, too.
Hi Michael, I'm sorry you're in so much pain. I know you're feeling all alone.
I've noticed that since Pandemic, in my life at least, that people reach out a lot less. I miss my friends. I send texts, emails, and even cards in the mail, and people don't respond or thank me. I don't know if lockdown did something permanent to all our relationships. None of my relationships, even my close ones, feel the same excitement that they used to hold.
So as painful as it is that you are isolated and people aren't reaching out, maybe it's not because of you. People seem overwhelmed and overtired in general. People have lost interest. I'm sorry you're feeling so alone.
Thanks Mara. I think there’s truth to what you’ve said. I self-isolated for years before the Pandemic even hit… and even now I think I still struggle because of it.
I appreciate your support! And I’m hoping more treatment really helps me turn this around.
I've self-isolated before too, and I regret it, although it wasn't entirely something within my control.
I'm hopeful you'll be able to explore yourself in new ways with the proper supports. I'm pulling for you! Hang in there.
Michael, I hear great fear, yet even greater hope in what you write. I will follow you on LinkedIn, as well as Substack, since you have so many more followers there. You have amazing self-insight and have obviously already done a great deal of work. Give yourself credit for that. As a stroke-survivor of 5+ years and a wounded healer of 50+ years, I know that there is always more work to be done peeling back your onion of self-awareness and then risking sharing it with others. You don't have to think or fear everything all at once. Just have enough hope and courage to step through those doors. One of my favorite quotes is from the book Just Mercy, where Bryan Stevenson says, "We are all better than the worst thing we have ever done." Your life already has so much more value than the worst things you fear bringing into the light. Trust the process. I look forward to reading about your continuing journey, Michael. Thank you so much for sharing what you have so far, already gifts beyond measure.
Thanks Nancy. It helps me tremendously to be able to put it all out there! Writing each week, exploring my own mental health — I’m learning so much about how I work. ❤️
The fact that it also is helping other people is just a bonus 😎
Michael, I am so sorry that you’re going through this and have gone through so much. I want you to know that so many people are pulling for you. We all want you to get well and be a happy person without fear and anxiety. Please let us know when you can how you are doing. I just feel like this time it’s gonna help you.
Will you be able to continue to post in Substack while you are in treatment? I was wondering what sort of online access they will allow. I am certain regular journaling will help you. Also, know that you are in my prayers for continuing recovery. I don’t know who or what your Higher Power is. I know that mine has evolved over the years. I am a recovering co-dependent. Blessings!
I don’t think I’ll be able to post. I think I’ll have limited access to my phone, and I’ll probably wanna use it to call family etc. But yeah, I 100% plan on journaling as often as they’ll allow me to!