Feel Like Giving Up

[leytonstones]

I haven't needed to take meds since last summer. (Effexor) Now I feel like giving up on everything. I am losing interest in my studies and I just can't be bothered to study anymore. I can't see that it is going to get me a job at 51. I miss my hobbies and I resent all the time that my studies take. I don't know what to do for the best. Do I give up my masters degree or try and stick with it?

 

[UnitynLove]

Every day thousands of thoughts come to our minds—some good, and some bad. In order for us to stay positive and healthy, we must focus on the good thoughts and let go of the bad ones. It's always such a temptation to hold on to the bad thoughts. Our minds have had so much practice operating freely that it seems we don't have to use any effort at all to think wrong or negative thoughts. The effort comes in learning to think positive thoughts.
Positive minds produce positive lives. The opposite is also true: Negative minds produce negative lives. Positive thoughts are always full of faith and hope. Negative thoughts are always full of fear and doubt, which can ultimately destroy your life. It can be very difficult to switch your way of thinking. Some people are afraid to hope because they have been hurt so much in life. They have had so many disappointments that they don't think they can face the pain of another let down. Therefore, they refuse to hope so they won't be disappointed.
Battles are fought in our minds every day. When we begin to feel that the battle of the mind is just too difficult and we are about to give up, that's when we must choose to resist negative thoughts and determine that we are going to rise above our problems and succeed. We must decide that we are not going to quit. When we are bombarded with doubts and fears, we must take a stand and say: "I will never give up! God is on my side, He loves me, and He is helping me! I am going to make it!"</I>
No matter how bad the battle rages in your mind, don't give up! You must step out and regain the territory that has been stolen from you through negative thinking. Regain it one inch at a time, if necessary, always leaning on God's grace and not upon your own ability to get the desired results. In Galatians 6:9 the Apostle Paul simply encourages us to keep on keeping on! Don't be a quitter! Don't have that old "give up" spirit. God is looking for people who will find the courage to rise above all the negative and pursue the positive.
Whatever you may be facing or experiencing right now in your life, I want to encourage you to stay positive and refuse to give up! God will be with you, and He will help you make spiritual progress—strengthening and encouraging you to "keep on keeping on" in the rough times. It's easy to quit—but it takes faith to press on through to victory.
When the battle seems endless and you think you'll never make it, remember that you are reprogramming a "worldly" mind to think as God thinks. In the same way that computers are programmed, our minds are programmed. From the time we are born, our minds are like computers that have had a lifetime of garbage programmed into them. But God, who is the best "computer programmer" around, is working on us everyday to reprogram our minds. As we cooperate with Him and allow Him to help us control our thoughts, He will "renew" our minds.
This process of reprogramming or renewing our minds will take place little by little, so don't be discouraged if progress seems slow. Don't get down when you have setbacks or bad days. Just get back up, dust yourself off and start again. When a baby is learning to walk, he falls many, many times before he develops the ability to walk without falling. However, the baby is persistent. He may cry for a while after he falls down, but he always gets right back up and tries again. Learning to change our thinking works the same way. There will be days when we don't do everything right—days when our thinking is negative. But never stop trying. God is gradually bringing us around to His way of thinking. Just don't give up!

 

[devotee]

I haven't needed to take meds since last summer. (Effexor) Now I feel like giving up on everything. I am losing interest in my studies and I just can't be bothered to study anymore. I can't see that it is going to get me a job at 51. I miss my hobbies and I resent all the time that my studies take. I don't know what to do for the best. Do I give up my masters degree or try and stick with it?

What about deferring? Just take some time off and indulge your psych needs at this time i.e., your hobbies.

Does it matter that you may not get work from your Masters? Is that the worst that could happen? What is your degree if you don't mind me asking.
My roomate was 75 and was in his fifth years as an undergrad in psychology, still at second year level - one subject at a time. He knwe it would be most unlikely that he would work in the field, but his studies were his hobby. He spent the rest of his time writing an international newsletter for Fruitarians, and incorporated his studies into the newletter.

Another woman at the local uni is 83, agian the studies are her hobby.

Sometimes we just need time out, to get back to ourselves. I;ll finsih my Masters someday but now is not the right time. If I stuck with it (6 months to go) i do think i would have gone back to the meds to cope. It was a hard decsion to stop studying, but a week later I was really enjoying the freedom from the pressure and the fact that I could do the little things I enjoyed: read a novel! start my own online business, garden, watch TV! spend more time with my dog, et to know my partner better...

Uni isn't going anywhere...

 

[leytonstones]

What about deferring? Just take some time off and indulge your psych needs at this time i.e., your hobbies.

Does it matter that you may not get work from your Masters? Is that the worst that could happen? What is your degree if you don't mind me asking.
My roomate was 75 and was in his fifth years as an undergrad in psychology, still at second year level - one subject at a time. He knwe it would be most unlikely that he would work in the field, but his studies were his hobby. He spent the rest of his time writing an international newsletter for Fruitarians, and incorporated his studies into the newletter.

Another woman at the local uni is 83, agian the studies are her hobby.

Sometimes we just need time out, to get back to ourselves. I;ll finsih my Masters someday but now is not the right time. If I stuck with it (6 months to go) i do think i would have gone back to the meds to cope. It was a hard decsion to stop studying, but a week later I was really enjoying the freedom from the pressure and the fact that I could do the little things I enjoyed: read a novel! start my own online business, garden, watch TV! spend more time with my dog, et to know my partner better...

Uni isn't going anywhere...

Thank you for your replies. My masters is in Biblical Studies and as a part time student I have to complete it in 4 years. I was hoping to do it in 2. Because there are so few of us doing a masters degree at the moment I need to study the modules as they are available. I have just been told that my professor is on sabbatical for a whole semester as from September. Apparently, it is unlikely that the university will pay for someone else to supervise me as I am the only student in New Testament studies, the other two students are studying Old Testament. I wasn't told this before I registered for the course.

At the moment it just seems like all I ever do is study and chase after books. I am losing touch with friends and finding study very isolating.

However, today is a new day and thankfully a better day. I am not feeling as low as I did over the weekend. I am feeling obliged to continue my studies, but I feel I would rather be doing other things. I will wait and see what happens. I don't think it is a good idea to make big decisions at the moment.

God Bless

Leytonstones

 

[FallingWaters]

Dear UnitynLove,

I was encouraged by what you wrote, and then impressed that you're only 23 years old. What you said is true. Thank you.

 

[devotee]

Thank you for your replies. My masters is in Biblical Studies and as a part time student I have to complete it in 4 years. I was hoping to do it in 2. Because there are so few of us doing a masters degree at the moment I need to study the modules as they are available. I have just been told that my professor is on sabbatical for a whole semester as from September. Apparently, it is unlikely that the university will pay for someone else to supervise me as I am the only student in New Testament studies, the other two students are studying Old Testament. I wasn't told this before I registered for the course.

At the moment it just seems like all I ever do is study and chase after books. I am losing touch with friends and finding study very isolating.

However, today is a new day and thankfully a better day. I am not feeling as low as I did over the weekend. I am feeling obliged to continue my studies, but I feel I would rather be doing other things. I will wait and see what happens. I don't think it is a good idea to make big decisions at the moment.

God Bless

Leytonstones

Are you able to incorporate your friends into your studies. Maybe have regular bible studies/discussions where you can explore the topics that you are studying.

Do you have a study group? Even online would help.

I would enquire about the supervision, its an ehtical requirement that students have access to a supervisor.

Studying can be an isolating expereince, and usually involves a lot of stress. Do you need to take time out for yourself? you sound as though you are nearing burnout. Perhaps 2 hours once a week for you (walk, ride, beach, catch up with mates) . Or 15 minutes every second day on the phone to freinds and family, or letter writing.

And, do you have to do it in 2 years if you can do it in 4? Especially as the supervisor is not available. Is deferring until your supervisor returns an option? My supervisor went on sabattical, and came to uni every week! Maybe your supervisor could remain in contact with you by email or phone. Are you able to be supervised from another uni/college, this is not unusual. I new a student who had one supervisor in England, we're in Australia.

Hope this helps, take care of yourself - remember your a temple and that means you need time out for maintenance and congregation.

 

[leytonstones]

Are you able to incorporate your friends into your studies. Maybe have regular bible studies/discussions where you can explore the topics that you are studying.

Do you have a study group? Even online would help.

I would enquire about the supervision, its an ehtical requirement that students have access to a supervisor.

Studying can be an isolating expereince, and usually involves a lot of stress. Do you need to take time out for yourself? you sound as though you are nearing burnout. Perhaps 2 hours once a week for you (walk, ride, beach, catch up with mates) . Or 15 minutes every second day on the phone to freinds and family, or letter writing.

And, do you have to do it in 2 years if you can do it in 4? Especially as the supervisor is not available. Is deferring until your supervisor returns an option? My supervisor went on sabattical, and came to uni every week! Maybe your supervisor could remain in contact with you by email or phone. Are you able to be supervised from another uni/college, this is not unusual. I new a student who had one supervisor in England, we're in Australia.

Hope this helps, take care of yourself - remember your a temple and that means you need time out for maintenance and congregation.

Hello devotee,

Thank you for your reply. The other students are about 40 and 50 miles away in different directions, so there is not much opportunity for getting together. It would seem that the department is being run down. Staff who have left have not been replaced, so this is one of the main reasons for completing my studies in 2 years instead of 4. Also, I think my family are now tired of my studies taking up so much of my time. Apart from my husband no-one is really particularly interested in what I am doing, so talking about it doesn't really happen. I am not feeling as low as I did, so I expect I will just carry on, but it is not easy.

Thank you again for your encouragement.

God Bless

Leytonstones.

 

[EbonNelumbo]

I can relate, I am working on two BSs and it's really hard. I would suggest going back on meds and sticking with it. Keep praying? Find a mentor or a friend in your church or campus. PM me anytime.

 

[inHisgripkim]

I haven't needed to take meds since last summer. (Effexor) Now I feel like giving up on everything. I am losing interest in my studies and I just can't be bothered to study anymore. I can't see that it is going to get me a job at 51. I miss my hobbies and I resent all the time that my studies take. I don't know what to do for the best. Do I give up my masters degree or try and stick with it?

May I ask why you started your studies in the first place? What did you feel back when you started school?

I battle depression too. Diet and exercise so important.
How is your diet? And are you getting any aerobic exercise?

Peace be with you,
inhisgripkim

Don't let the mind play tricks on you. It likes to do that. Keep positive thoughts. Think of good things.

 

[Arkanin]

I haven't needed to take meds since last summer. (Effexor) Now I feel like giving up on everything. I am losing interest in my studies and I just can't be bothered to study anymore. I can't see that it is going to get me a job at 51. I miss my hobbies and I resent all the time that my studies take. I don't know what to do for the best. Do I give up my masters degree or try and stick with it?

I think you may need to take meds again and we all hit hard times and that's OK. I would talk to my psychiatrist, depression comes and goes.

About your M.S., I don't know you that well, but what are your motivations for getting the degree? If it's a matter of respect and saying you did it, I actually think that's the best kind of motivation. Accomplishing something that impressive rightly builds your self-image. And you're not too old to say, 'hey, yeah, I did that'.

 

[devotee]

Hello devotee,

Thank you for your reply. The other students are about 40 and 50 miles away in different directions, so there is not much opportunity for getting together. It would seem that the department is being run down. Staff who have left have not been replaced, so this is one of the main reasons for completing my studies in 2 years instead of 4. Also, I think my family are now tired of my studies taking up so much of my time. Apart from my husband no-one is really particularly interested in what I am doing, so talking about it doesn't really happen. I am not feeling as low as I did, so I expect I will just carry on, but it is not easy.

Thank you again for your encouragement.

God Bless

Leytonstones.

My sister was very put out that I made my studies a priority, she had just had her first child - and well, she is the type of person that often wants others (family) to feel obligated. Although she is there for me heaps : ) Anyways, I said no, she said I was not spending enough time with my niece and building a relationship with her, I flet that was not the actual reason...she wanted time out, motherhood I hear can be very stressful and is a big commitment. Hers.

I am sorry to hear your family is unsupportive, I find it easier to cope with such attitudes if I can see hwere they are coming from. Helps me to cultivate compassion. Sometimes people, even family, will look to each other to be scapegoats when they are under prseeure. Its really dissapointing when these same people identify themselves as Christian - what happened to walking the talk? If they're not interested so much in your studies, perhaps you could just encourage them to talk about their lives - its what most people want to do. your husband can be your study buddy.

I'm glad your husband is supportive, that must really swell your sails. He sounds like a patient and caring man.

Are you able to do your studies by distance education through another uni, it is usually self-paced. Can your classmates telephone conference or set up your own chatroom on the internet? Can you find forums of other studious Biblical study students?

As for the meds - I used them as a crutch for a year, I needed space and my family was extremely concerned for my safety. Basically I just wasn't functioning. Like anything - chocolate, coffee, alcohol, pancakes - they can bring harm if not used properly, I guess you know that. I did my research, talked with others who were using them and got the goods and the bads, and then used one that I found to suit my physiology (took two types to find it). I also read about the side-effects and good ppoints on the internet. I used them as a crutch, a tool, while I practiced cognitve-behavioral strategies that I was learning at uni. For me, I needed that crutch for a while, I doubt I would have put into practice what I did without them. Just sharing my story, you know, seems a decision like that can use input from many areas.

It is not giving up to re-arrange your study plan, one must be realistic. It is not giving up to return to medication for a time - just be sure to stay up to date with the literature. It is not giving up to just soldier on - as long as you have strategies in place to prevent burnout and a supportive network.

take care of yourself, pm me anytime, light n' love

hoping off my soapbox for a bit : )

 

[Mayflower1]

I'll sure pray for you...God is there and you can do all things through Him if you just trust that He can get you through... Lily00

 

[leytonstones]

I have withdrawn from my course. I no longer have the confidence or the motivation to continue.

Thank you for your prayers.

 

[Flatscan82]

Every day thousands of thoughts come to our minds—some good, and some bad. In order for us to stay positive and healthy, we must focus on the good thoughts and let go of the bad ones. It's always such a temptation to hold on to the bad thoughts. Our minds have had so much practice operating freely that it seems we don't have to use any effort at all to think wrong or negative thoughts. The effort comes in learning to think positive thoughts.
Positive minds produce positive lives. The opposite is also true: Negative minds produce negative lives. Positive thoughts are always full of faith and hope. Negative thoughts are always full of fear and doubt, which can ultimately destroy your life. It can be very difficult to switch your way of thinking. Some people are afraid to hope because they have been hurt so much in life. They have had so many disappointments that they don't think they can face the pain of another let down. Therefore, they refuse to hope so they won't be disappointed.
Battles are fought in our minds every day. When we begin to feel that the battle of the mind is just too difficult and we are about to give up, that's when we must choose to resist negative thoughts and determine that we are going to rise above our problems and succeed. We must decide that we are not going to quit. When we are bombarded with doubts and fears, we must take a stand and say: "I will never give up! God is on my side, He loves me, and He is helping me! I am going to make it!"</I>
No matter how bad the battle rages in your mind, don't give up! You must step out and regain the territory that has been stolen from you through negative thinking. Regain it one inch at a time, if necessary, always leaning on God's grace and not upon your own ability to get the desired results. In Galatians 6:9 the Apostle Paul simply encourages us to keep on keeping on! Don't be a quitter! Don't have that old "give up" spirit. God is looking for people who will find the courage to rise above all the negative and pursue the positive.
Whatever you may be facing or experiencing right now in your life, I want to encourage you to stay positive and refuse to give up! God will be with you, and He will help you make spiritual progress—strengthening and encouraging you to "keep on keeping on" in the rough times. It's easy to quit—but it takes faith to press on through to victory.
When the battle seems endless and you think you'll never make it, remember that you are reprogramming a "worldly" mind to think as God thinks. In the same way that computers are programmed, our minds are programmed. From the time we are born, our minds are like computers that have had a lifetime of garbage programmed into them. But God, who is the best "computer programmer" around, is working on us everyday to reprogram our minds. As we cooperate with Him and allow Him to help us control our thoughts, He will "renew" our minds.
This process of reprogramming or renewing our minds will take place little by little, so don't be discouraged if progress seems slow. Don't get down when you have setbacks or bad days. Just get back up, dust yourself off and start again. When a baby is learning to walk, he falls many, many times before he develops the ability to walk without falling. However, the baby is persistent. He may cry for a while after he falls down, but he always gets right back up and tries again. Learning to change our thinking works the same way. There will be days when we don't do everything right—days when our thinking is negative. But never stop trying. God is gradually bringing us around to His way of thinking. Just don't give up!

what about people with a medical chemical imbalance? Depression is more then a person just have self defeting thoughts.

 

[Mayflower1]

I have withdrawn from my course. I no longer have the confidence or the motivation to continue.

Thank you for your prayers.

leytons, please don't give up... or at least take me with you...

 

[Flatscan82]

I haven't needed to take meds since last summer. (Effexor) Now I feel like giving up on everything. I am losing interest in my studies and I just can't be bothered to study anymore. I can't see that it is going to get me a job at 51. I miss my hobbies and I resent all the time that my studies take. I don't know what to do for the best. Do I give up my masters degree or try and stick with it?

you shold talk to your doc maybe you need to go back on meds...

 

[Silver-winged Flyer]

I have withdrawn from my course. I no longer have the confidence or the motivation to continue.

Thank you for your prayers.

Please carry on with your course, I know you can do it!

I am currently in the process of completing a BSC degree through a correspondence university. I'm halfway through my third year and have two more years to go and I don't know how easy it will be to find a job at the end of it not having experience. Some days I'm just not motivated to study and have felt like packing it in many, many times. I also lose confidence in myself sometimes. As a result I've a bit behind where I should be to get assignments done in time and failed two subjects last year so its not easy. But I know that if I had to pack it in I'd never find a job and would have wasted a lot of money and even if I took time off it would be really hard to carry on at a later stage.

What I'm trying to say is I think I know how you're feeling and it will be so worth it once you've finished. With God all things are possible!

 

[leytonstones]

Thank you for your support. If I asked to withdraw my withdrawal I don't think the lecturers would be too happy with me now. Besides I think I would be too far behind. I really don't feel like trying to submit a 4,000 word paper, a 5,000 word paper and a 50 minute class presentation all due on the 11th May + a 6,000 word paper due a couple of weeks after that. I think the lecturers have been patient with me thus far as I missed most of my first semester of my first year due to major surgery and then came the depression and memory loss whcih resulted in meds and the need for extensions for essays. I really don't expect them to go thru all that again and I don't particularly want to go thru' it all either.

 

[Silver-winged Flyer]

Could you not just take a break then and carry on at a later stage? It would be a pity to have done some work for nothing. I know you can finish and even if you don't get a job, it will be a huge sense of accomplishment for you.

 

[Mr.Cheese]

I haven't needed to take meds since last summer. (Effexor) Now I feel like giving up on everything. I am losing interest in my studies and I just can't be bothered to study anymore. I can't see that it is going to get me a job at 51. I miss my hobbies and I resent all the time that my studies take. I don't know what to do for the best. Do I give up my masters degree or try and stick with it?

I'm almost 34. I think I can kind of relate. I was a mechanic and left what I knew to finish school. I'm currently enrolled in seminary.
Some days I feel so lost.
In broked down in undergrad and began taking meds a few years ago. They really helped me.

I still believe God knows what he's doing even when I can't see it.