Hi Everyone, I'm new... and not very good at navigating the site...are there any prin

DINAH C · Post by **DINAH C** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:18 pm

are there any printed instructions on how to open the appropriate place to post a message, etc? Earlier today the topic bar was below the message box, and I can't recover what I'd written (to finish it) and messages were coming in about 3 a minute.... What had I opened? HOW did I open it? Why is there a signature box below this "composing" area? Why is it checked? Thanks for your help! All Best,
DINAH C

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:43 pm

Hi I'm new and not sure if I'm posting this right or not. I have listened to Session 1 and am going through Session 2 now. I am the office manager of 2 offices. I feel like I work all the time. I'm not stuck with a set schedule but I always feel like I should be working becuase I am afraid of loosing my home again. 20 year ago I was severely depressed and couldn't work and lost my house and car when my son was 7 years old. I went through a couple years of weekly counseling for depression and learned a lot. I learned to rely on myself and function very well. I learned that other people can only have effect on me if I let them. This was an important step for me because I used to be depressed and angry because my friends and family weren't there when I needed them and my ex husband fought me over the little bit of child support we did get. Over the years I think I took this lesson too far. I have been a single parent for 26 years and honestly spend my time trying to balance the things that have to be done with trying to keep my energy up to get everything done. I go to a wonderful church but I know I rarely really get close to people. I took a class at church on leading small cell groups at my church of single women in my age bracket. Mainly because I know I need to for me. It's a bit scarry because it is one more commitment on my time and energy. I know it's up to me to make the effort so I do it because I know I need to. If I did what I wanted, I would only work, sleep, keep up the dishes, laundry, paying the bills etc. Over the years I know if I don't force myself to get things done then I get even more depressed because I let things slide which requires even more work to catch up. I know I have problems emotionally and physically but I realised that I can't figure out how to fix my problems by myself. I have a hard time letting people get close to me. If I feel too vunerable I back off. Most of my friends and family don't know how much I struggle internally. I am a strong person and most people see me that way so when I have let my guard down and start to talk about my depression or anxiety with them it starts to feel scary to me because I don't think they can handle what little bit I'm saying. For the last 3-4 years I couldn't put my finger on what is the problem. I decided to work through this program to help me figure out what is the problem and learn to heal and go on. So far, I have learned quite a bit. It cost a bit more than I am comfortable spending but counseling wasn't cheap either but worth every penny I spent on it 15 years ago.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:36 pm

Dinah- I've never seen the topic bar below the message bar before and I do a lot of posting.?? If you haven't logged in correctly it will come out looking kind of screwy and won't let you post anything. I have never bothered with the signature box and just post my replies and hit post now. Starting a new topic is different. You need to go to the "new" button and then to the "discussion" button.