[DamienJasper]

Yeah, meds help with depression. But they don't help Peak Oil. I'd rather stay depressed and aware than happy and deluded.

[Eli]

Thats my point faith in Christ is the only thing I think that one can count on getting them through peak oil and all that may come our way.

There will still be plenty of stuff to get depressed over just don't give up hope and use every means at your disposal to keep it.

[DamienJasper]

If by every means at my disposal you mean medication, I really don't see the practical point.

[thuja]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Eli', '
')
I have taken anti-depressants before and it runs high in my family, medication is very effective in treating it.

[DamienJasper]

Here's the problem with "finding people who can sympathize with me"; they would be POers. Being around them doesn't help. But on the other hand, I can't just walk around with this knowledge inside of me like this.

But I appreciate all of your guys' feedback, drew and corholio in particular.

[Dezakin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he way I see it for every nuclear reactor you create as many problems with nuclear waste. Not to mention should we build them all over the world in places like Iran and Syria? What could possibly go wrong with that.

[Eli]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', ' ')I think the key here is to realize that depression and other ugly emotional states are natural parts of human consciousness. If it is endangering your life, by all means seek medical help. Otherwise, find other people who can sympathize and give you support while also focussing on the positive aspects of life. Good luck...

[lateStarter]

Thanks for the list Eli. At least I'm not gaining any weight!

Damien,

Seriously, get outside and go for some walks in your favorite secluded places. Most of us would love to be where you are at now. Come what may, Idaho (or whatever it is called in the future) will still be around.

Try to channel some of that energy into what you can do to prepare. Does your family farm or own land? If they do and you are not involved, offer your labor in exchange for some knowledge. What other skills can you bring to the table? What might you be interested in learning to do?

And don't forget Matthew 6:27 (and surrounding context). Be concerned, but try not to worry so much, it is counter-productive.

The stage you are at now mentally is normal for people just becoming PO aware. Take a deep breath (maybe 2 or 3) and try to avoid projecting too far beyond today and tomorrow.

[Eli]

But, Dezakin
what kind of reactor would Syria and Iran prefer to have if they could?

I Don't want to hijack this thread into a debate about whether or not the human race is going to be able to save itself from PO and number of other things going on in the world right now.

Suffice it to say you believe that mankind can save himself I do not see a reason to be so hopeful in human nature.

[Dezakin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'B')ut, Dezakin
what kind of reactor would Syria and Iran prefer to have if they could?

[DamienJasper]

Don't let PO Engadnger your life

Isn't it doing that already? Without my mental extrapolation?

Seriously though, how do you deal with this? I'm at a complete loss of what to do with myself. I've no doubt Idaho will be around in 50 years. But will I be around in 5?

I mean, I was in kind of a good mood recently because the PO date was moved again, plus Laherrere (SP?) saying 2015. That's a lot of years for me. For whatever dipstick (no pun intended) said that it's not, I've got a concept; I'm not a rock or a peice of geology. Just because 3 or 5 or 10 years is a blink for them, doesn't mean it is for me. 10 years ago I watched WWF Superstars on Saturday mornings with my brother. 5 years ago I was in Highschool, doing theatre and laughing in the face of Y2Kists. 3 Years ago I was starting college with my brother and drove an '89 Geo Prism to school from 3 miles away.

A lot has changed from all of those points, even three years ago. But why am I so afraid for the future of the next couple of months?

[lateStarter]

Damien,

PO doesn't necessarily mean the 'end' of your life, just a different lifestyle - as in simpler, less consumptive (hopefully by choice). If you are into 300 HP Turbo-Powered vechicles and blowing lots of your paycheck on 'stuff', get ready for a change. I know it comes as a shock to learn that we won't be able to continue as 'normal', but at least you have been forewarned. Plan accordingly. Even if it doesn't go down as some extreme doomer types are planning for, what have you lost?

BTW, I am an extreme doomer. I don't see things getting better. Just hoping I am wrong, and we manage to get by with a 'slow slide'.

[Eli]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'D')on't let PO endanger your life

[DamienJasper]

Damn. I was hoping for a little bit more in the past 12 hours or so. Oh well.

But seriously, "Don't worry about things beyond your control". That is the utmost reason to worry; because I can't control it. If I could give my life to stop it, I would. God knows I would. Driving me nuts.

Also, why was this moved over from the PO discussion? I know it's a bit more psychological, but I really want this viewed because I'm in a really dark place right now and thrive on any feedback I can get. That just doesn't happen very much in the Psych forum.

[Doly]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('DamienJasper', '
')But seriously, "Don't worry about things beyond your control". That is the utmost reason to worry; because I can't control it.

[DamienJasper]

Such as?

(Please don't say plant a garden)

[thuja]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Doly', ' ')So life could suck big time in the future. Does worrying now help? It does, if it drives you to be as prepared as humanly possible. It doesn't, if you only get depressed and bring down everybody around you.

[CarlinsDarlin]

thuja and Doly are right.
What it boils down to is this. Make a list of things you can do - or learn to do - that will help you in your future. What things will be important? What skills would be good to have? What do you need to know to be better prepared? Once you have your list, then start working on them. Only you can decide what things are important, based on how you feel things will play out in the future.

Learning new skills, and putting those skills to use, takes time. Time that you would have otherwise spent sitting around worrying yourself to death. Yes, there is plenty to be worried about, but as my grandmother used to say, "Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair. Gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere."

So, instead of sitting there rocking and worrying, get up and do something about it. You may not be able to change the world, or the events that may happen, but you can change your reaction and your level of preparedness for them.

You'll find, once you start doing some preparations and learning useful skills, that your worry level will decrease. Why? Because you have a plan for dealing with the coming troubles.

Will your plan be all-encompasing and solve every problem before it arrives? Probably not. But as you successfully learn one new skill, you can check it off and focus on the next one. Going through the process of learning and practicing your skills will give you the confidence to better handle those things that come along.

It's helped me.
Kathy

[swingbolder]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')eriously though, how do you deal with this? I'm at a complete loss of what to do with myself. I've no doubt Idaho will be around in 50 years. But will I be around in 5?

[DamienJasper]

Again, thanks for the input. But also, isn't Deffeys peak just a few days from now?