I told myself at some point last year that despite knowing I had no hope and could not possibly have a fu...
Hey there,
I haven't been on here in awhile, but have lived a life filled with trauma and severe trauma and have also been diagnosed with PTSD and major Depression (and also have some pretty rotten physical disabilities after having been super active in sports, a pro percussionist and dancer (ethnic Brazilian) and just always active) and now a recluse)
I was on my way out the door, had my specific plan to end it, everything I needed, then turned around to my two cats to say good-bye as I had opened the door and closed it to go say good-by to them and wouldn't you know it - I realized just how much love I had for them and how responsible of a pet owner I was and after about 1/2 hour with them I just couldn't do it.
What turned my life around - no, not therapy at all, but volunteering at the kill shelters (County Animal Services, the one where they do euthanize the dogs and cats if it gets too full, or if they are sick or disabled). Comforting those - well, I worked in the cat section, cats, and fostering the elderly and disabled cats brought such joy to my life (even fostered a litter of orphaned kittens, but that was a 24/7 job, feeding them every 3 hours). This completely changed my life and gave me TRUE reason for living. I felt needed, wanted, and those cats and those dogs sure wanted to feel needed and wanted - a match made in heaven!
Volunteering is an avenue you might want to try; especially at an animal shelter, and especially-Ecially at a County Animal Services!! :-) They are SO in need of help all the time. Never enough volunteers, especially for the days they are closed - those animals sometimes have only one volunteer and some don't get fed, and many dogs don't get walked and over holidays, forget about it, they can go 2 days without food or walks or love or seeing a person. I SO miss volunteering, but can't lift anything anymore. :'-( BUT, HIGHLY recommend it - the BEST therapy ever! :-D