I just can't cope

Heineken · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 4:30 pm Post subject: Re: I just can't cope

Our society and its individuals need to take big, radical steps now, Ludi, or a revolution or anything else we do will come too late. Baby steps won't cut it.

As far as giving out medical advice goes, I will yield to those with the proper training.
_________________
"Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog

"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother

Choon · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: I just can't cope

Strange. I find my current situation to be quite similar to that of Joe0Bloggs's (i.e. PO-informed for quite a bit, but haven't prepared yet), except that my depression is mostly related to issues with members of the opposite sex, rather than the general stupidity of mankind.

Ludi · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 6:56 pm Post subject: Re: I just can't cope

rostov · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: I just can't cope

rostov · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 7:15 pm Post subject: Re: I just can't cope

Joe,

Calm down.

Climb small. Take small steps (kochevnik & Ludi styles). Recruit small. If not ALL of your family wants to follow you to Australia, take some. At least those that can calm down. And climb small.

You've spent 3 years in Australia. Study? Where do you want to go? 2 years being aware of PO and studying the issues gotta encompass which country will have bigger die-offs : China and its aspiration to consume 5x more than USA now, or Austalia, with its aridness+desert+peakwater+whatever.

Despite your lose-in-all situation you created, you know that your time in Australia is going to count for immigration entry if you apply, right? Or when you look for a job before immigration?

But another way, since you can't get off your feet for these 2 years, is to look for a caregiver. I used to be a caregiver for a clinically depressed person (looked after hand and foot) for years, keeping track and tagging along making sure no suicide or overdose or go-missing actually happened, keeping the meds on schedule, keeping the appointments in sync. It's not a joke what a clinically depressed (bloody misnomer! I hate this word) is going through.

Fine.

Look for a caregiver who's PO-aware, wants to do something about it, and loves you enough to bring you along to work on it. Aren't there anyone in the opposite sex or any family member that believes what you believe?

edit : one more thing. Don't underestimate your own raised skill of being bilingual. There's going to be a lot of use for this even in Australia, or HK.
_________________
regards,
Rostov
"Some {} are more equal than others"

CeeCee · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 6:01 am Post subject: Re: I just can't cope

Joe,
If you like, I could guide you through the steps of setting up a 'post peak' winter school, which focuses on the skills that people need for a post peak world, and draws upon the knowledge that already exists in your local community/city/suburb etc. The concept is money-free- i.e. all tutors give their time freely and students don't pay to attend, except where there needs to be some reimbursement for materials.

This could give you a sense of purpose and of doing something to prepare, not only for yourself but also for many other people. Even if you don't think that other people are ready to face peak oil, you could still run a winter school which focuses on "Back to Basics Living" or "Sustainable Living" or similar, because the content is pretty much the same.

You don't need money to set one up, but you do need a computer to organise and email your timetables, a telephone so that you can phone people and they can phone you, access to a community newsletter, noticeboard or newspaper for free advertising of the event, and it helps if you have access to a venue such as a community hall, although that isn't absolutely necessary either. The most important thing you need is passion to make it work- if you have that it will work.
For more info see
http://www.homepages.globe.net.nz/ceeceegl/winterschool/karameawinterschool.html
I would be at the other end of email to talk you through it, if you'd like to try it. I'll be running another summer school in the last 2 weeks of January (if that would be a good time for a northen hemisphere wnter school).

Best wishes
Liz.
(my email address is on the website)

Joe0Bloggs · Tar Sands Joined: Aug 14, 2005 Posts: 98

I would like to find or raise some PO-aware people before I try something like that...

Haven't really convinced anybody yet... I've only raised the subject with my family and one or two friends. Actually once I tried to do a presentation to a whole class, don't think I had any converts. I won't know even if I did, I'm not in contact with them anymore! Haven't had much positive reaction so far... I'm also afraid that if I do manage to convince someone (s)he'll go into a depressed funk like me and I don't want to be responsible for that!

I think I may be close to having my first convert...

Heineken · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 12:42 pm Post subject: Re: I just can't cope

Heineken · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 12:48 pm Post subject: Re: I just can't cope

P.S. to Joe, Ludi, and others:

Some people get depressed and anxious about PO (and the environment). I went through that stage, but now, as some of my earlier posts indicate, I've arrived at the stage of ANGER and OUTRAGE, where I (for better or worse) have little patience for half-measures and saccharine assurances. If I could push a magic button and make Hugo (or Cesar, now deceased) Chavez or Fidel Castro the U.S. president instead of the boy-emperor Bush, I'd do so without hesitating.
_________________
"Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog

"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother

Ludi · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 12:57 pm Post subject: Re: I just can't cope

Heineken · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 1:05 pm Post subject: Re: I just can't cope

They are small steps only because enough people aren't taking them, Ludi. The revolution would consist of institutionalizing some of these measures. I admit that I haven't a clue as to how to do that---that's politics---also, that I don't want to get my head chopped off. But that doesn't make me any less angry. I suppose that if a Chavez-like movement started in this country, I would be willing to join it at personal risk to myself. Basically, though, I think the situation is hopeless. Which is why my signature reads,
_________________
"Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog

"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother

Ludi · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 1:13 pm Post subject: Re: I just can't cope

uNkNowN ElEmEnt · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 3:19 pm Post subject: Re: I just can't cope

I'm with Ludi in more ways than one. Balance is essential. if you spend a lot of time with depressing defeatist thoughtsyou need to find things to do that will give you some positives.

If that is hard (being depressed and all) then try finding activities that bring you a sense of peace (not to be confused with the numb flatness most depressives experience before committing suicide). Avoid meditation its not good for depressives if you do want to meditate try channeling the happiest emotions you can generate.

I would also suggest "the feel good mood therapy" its a book on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and goes deeply into what Ludi was talking about with changing your thought patterns. Good luck dude, if you need to talk...

Heineken · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 8:53 pm Post subject: Re: I just can't cope