Little Things That Make Life Worth Living

[Orions Pain]

Hello everyone,

I am really struggling to hang in here lately. Life seems pointless and I feel like a prisoner trapped in my own body daily. All of the things that used to bring me joy I am no longer able to do and being in my mid twenties I am unable to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I was always a pretty social person, but unfortunately when you live in a major US city most social activities involve noises that are at least 75-80 decibels.

I had so many goals and plans, both career wise and in my personal life and everything has been taken away from me in a matter of seconds. I am finding it increasingly harder to find the will to live and I'm worried this isolation and road to nowhere is going to drive me to end it all. I have absolutely nothing to look forward to anymore and am miserable on a daily basis.

I wanted to see if everyone here could make a small list of at least 5 things that bring them happiness and make live worth living despite suffering with this terrible affliction. Really needing a bit of positivity right now

What allows you guys to keep moving forward?

 

[Michael B]

I love where I live. I love riding to the beach and running for miles on the sand or along the coast. I love stopping at Starbucks on the way listening to music and contemplating life. I love coming home to my beautiful wife and greeted by my dog, Sophie. I love the fact that I've been able to reclaim the things that bring me joy despite tinnitus.

 

[all to gain]

wife
stepdaughter
son 1
son 2
the hurt I would bring to the above people if I were to leave this world.

This is what keeps me going. It's been amazing to see my youngest son learn to walk and to start to talk and to see my older son play with him. But, all the same, I feel like you pretty much all the time. It would all have been much more enjoyable if i did not have this affliction.

 

[TheDanishGirl]

Books
Movies
Music
Food
ASMR videos

If I werent able to enjoy any of these, then I don't think I could go in. Other then that, hope for future treatments, and general curiosity of how the world situation will evolve also keeps me going, although it still is reliant on me being able to enjoy something in my personal life, like the aforementioned.

 

[HeavyMantra]

I've started to cook all my meals myself. I've been wanting to learn how to wok stuff and to make simple Indian food for years, and I've learnt a lot about it during 6 months. Fasting for 18-22 hours and then eating some very clean homecooked food gives me a sense of control.

I've also learnt to ferment stuff. Kombucha, kefir, kimchi, hot sauce and so on.

My fridge is one of the best masking sounds I've heard. In my small kitchen I think about my tinnitus less than any other place.

It's not much in terms of contributing to happiness. But it's something.

 

[Jcb]

1: my dog
2: films and TV
3: baking and cooking
4: walking by the beach, a new thing for me over the last couple of weeks but man it's just so serene at times, one of my favourite things to do with my dog.
5: reading (well once I can start reading again)

Not much but these are the little things that keep me going for now, not sure if that's actually sad or not but it's all I got at this time in my life.

@HeavyMantra homemade Kimchi and hot sauce, great taste there man.

 

[Candy]

-Watching comedy on tv
-Cooking
-Family movie nights
-Interior decor - having nice surroundings
-Going for brunch or lunch somewhere quiet
-Going to the beach when I go on vacation
-Following people on Instagram who inspire me and also have it tough

 

[Tweedleman]

I had so many goals and plans, both career wise and in my personal life and everything has been taken away from me in a matter of seconds. I am finding it increasingly harder to find the will to live and I'm worried this isolation and road to nowhere is going to drive me to end it all. I have absolutely nothing to look forward to anymore and am miserable on a daily basis.

I'm in the same situation. It's beyond devastating. Here's what keeps me going:

- Sleep
- Hot baths
- My parents
- This community
- Movies/TV

 

[Kriszti]

My family, especially my sister
My friends who have been amazing despite of me being depressed and introverted
My dog
TV series
Flowers
Showers

Other than that, I'm pretty depressed and devastated. Can't really read, because of concentration issues. Not just because of tinnitus, but I pretty much flunked out of university, so I don't have any idea about work and so on. Don't enjoy music anymore. Can't really see my future. But I know, I need to hang in there. But every time I feel a bit better, some new sht hits the fan. I need to sort out sleeping issues, just don't have any idea how.

 

[Orions Pain]

Here's mine

- my parents. I'm an only child so if I left this world it would absolutely devastate then
- when my favorite artist releases new music (listen to on a speaker on in my car at safe levels of course)
- walks on the beach
- the idea of getting a pet in the near future ( either a cat or dog)
- snuggling up on the couch with my heated blanket and a good cup of tea when my favorite TV shows come out with a new episode (bonus points if it's raining/gloomy outside)

 

[Tweedleman]

(bonus points if it's raining/gloomy outside)

Absolutely. Makes me feel like the Munsters or Adams Family but gloomy weather makes me feel better about burrowing.

 

[Orions Pain]

Absolutely. Makes me feel like the Munsters or Adams Family but gloomy weather makes me feel better about burrowing.

Lucky for me I live in a place where it's foggy and gloomy a lot. It has been sunny lately though so it's killing my vibe a little bit

 

[Orions Pain]

My family, especially my sister
My friends who have been amazing despite of me being depressed and introverted
My dog
TV series
Flowers
Showers

Other than that, I'm pretty depressed and devastated. Can't really read, because of concentration issues. Not just because of tinnitus, but I pretty much flunked out of university, so I don't have any idea about work and so on. Don't enjoy music anymore. Can't really see my future. But I know, I need to hang in there. But every time I feel a bit better, some new sht hits the fan. I need to sort out sleeping issues, just don't have any idea how.

Hi Kriszti,

I'm sorry about your university experience
But happy you have lovely supportive people surrounding you.

What kind of dog do you have? And what are your favorite shows?

 

[Orions Pain]

I'm in the same situation. It's beyond devastating. Here's what keeps me going:

- Sleep
- Hot baths
- My parents
- This community
- Movies/TV

Top 5 movies/TV shows?

 

[Orions Pain]

-Watching comedy on tv
-Cooking
-Family movie nights
-Interior decor - having nice surroundings
-Going for brunch or lunch somewhere quiet
-Going to the beach when I go on vacation
-Following people on Instagram who inspire me and also have it tough

Hi Candy,

I also love interior decor and having nice surroundings. I've always loved hotels and lobbies and wanted my room/bathroom to look and smell like a luxury resort

I don't have Meniere's or hearing loss but I also follow a good amount of people on IG who struggle with those for inspiration

 

[Orions Pain]

1: my dog
2: films and TV
3: baking and cooking
4: walking by the beach, a new thing for me over the last couple of weeks but man it's just so serene at times, one of my favourite things to do with my dog.
5: reading (well once I can start reading again)

Not much but these are the little things that keep me going for now, not sure if that's actually sad or not but it's all I got at this time in my life.

@HeavyMantra homemade Kimchi and hot sauce, great taste there man.

Got any dog pics you'd like to share?

 

[Orions Pain]

I've started to cook all my meals myself. I've been wanting to learn how to wok stuff and to make simple Indian food for years, and I've learnt a lot about it during 6 months. Fasting for 18-22 hours and then eating some very clean homecooked food gives me a sense of control.

I've also learnt to ferment stuff. Kombucha, kefir, kimchi, hot sauce and so on.

My fridge is one of the best masking sounds I've heard. In my small kitchen I think about my tinnitus less than any other place.

It's not much in terms of contributing to happiness. But it's something.

Love Kambucha and a good hot sauce. I'm glad you've been able to find a good way to pass time!

 

[Orions Pain]

I love where I live. I love riding to the beach and running for miles on the sand or along the coast. I love stopping at Starbucks on the way listening to music and contemplating life. I love coming home to my beautiful wife and greeted by my dog, Sophie. I love the fact that I've been able to reclaim the things that bring me joy despite tinnitus.

Starbucks always brings me comfort! reminds me of being in high school and going there at lunch with friends.

Also love the beach and am fortunate enough to live close to one!

 

[Orions Pain]

wife
stepdaughter
son 1
son 2
the hurt I would bring to the above people if I were to leave this world.

This is what keeps me going. It's been amazing to see my youngest son learn to walk and to start to talk and to see my older son play with him. But, all the same, I feel like you pretty much all the time. It would all have been much more enjoyable if i did not have this affliction.

Happy you have people surrounding you that bring you joy!

 

[Kriszti]

Hi Kriszti,

I'm sorry about your university experience
But happy you have lovely supportive people surrounding you.

What kind of dog do you have? And what are your favorite shows?

An elderly golden retriever lady. She is cute like a button.

I currently have a nostalgic phase, so I'm watching teen stuff.

Sex Education
TEOTFW
Stranger Things
Skins
And my forever guilty pleasure show: Teen Wolf, although after s3 it got less pleasurable and felt more guilty watching it.

Other shows I like, but not watching currently:

The Good Wife
Mindhunter
Jane the Virgin
Big Little Lies
The Affair
The 100
La Casa Del Papel
Gilmore Girls
My Mad Fat Diary
Criminal Minds

 

[Orions Pain]

Books
Movies
Music
Food
ASMR videos

If I werent able to enjoy any of these, then I don't think I could go in. Other then that, hope for future treatments, and general curiosity of how the world situation will evolve also keeps me going, although it still is reliant on me being able to enjoy something in my personal life, like the aforementioned.

Hello,

I am also curious of what the future holds. Lately I've been thinking of life as a game. Maybe it's because I've kind of lost purpose and my struggle has made everything seem a bit unreal. Like I used to to things because they brought me joy, or because they used to contribute to some sort of goals I had.

Now I'm kinda just hanging around, trying to make it through the day. Hard to describe the feeling but this life doesn't feel like *my* life anymore

 

[Orions Pain]

An elderly golden retriever lady. She is cute like a button.

I currently have a nostalgic phase, so I'm watching teen stuff.

Sex Education
TEOTFW
Stranger Things
Skins
And my forever guilty pleasure show: Teen Wolf, although after s3 it got less pleasurable and felt more guilty watching it.

Other shows I like, but not watching currently:

The Good Wife
Mindhunter
Jane the Virgin
Big Little Lies
The Affair
The 100
La Casa Del Papel
Gilmore Girls
My Mad Fat Diary
Criminal Minds

I LOVE Golden Retrievers. I saw a lady walking a pup the other day and he was being playful/refusing to walk by biting on his leash. The cutest thing

I also love watching teen stuff lol. I was a big fan of Gossip Girl. Recently watched Euphoria which I think you'd like!

HBO has been releasing a ton of good stuff lately. I've been recommending Succession and The Outsider to everyone. Both really good. Sharp Objects was excellent and of course Big Little Lies!

Also The Bachelor and 90 Day Fiancé are personal guilty pleasures.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I wanted to see if everyone here could make a small list of at least 5 things that bring them happiness and make live worth living despite suffering with this terrible affliction.

Travel.

 

[Kriszti]

Hello,

I am also curious of what the future hold. Lately I've been thinking of life as a game. Maybe it's because I've kind of lost purpose and my struggle has made everything seem a bit unreal. Like I used to to things because they brought me joy, or because they used to contribute to some sort of goals I had.

Now I'm kinda just hanging around, trying to make it through the day. Hard to describe the feeling but this life doesn't feel like *my* life anymore

I think I understand you. It feels like I'm watching the world and even myself from an outside perspective and at the same time like I'm inside a bubble. And I hate myself for it, but I'm getting envious and sometimes even a bit mad of people having a life without tinnitus.

Only time when I'm ok-ish is in the state between being asleep and awake. I sleep horribly, but sometimes I get some hours without awakening a lot, even dreaming, and for some minutes before totally waking up, I feel normal again. Then tinnitus starts creeping back...

 

[Tweedleman]

Hello,

I am also curious of what the future hold. Lately I've been thinking of life as a game. Maybe it's because I've kind of lost purpose and my struggle has made everything seem a bit unreal. Like I used to to things because they brought me joy, or because they used to contribute to some sort of goals I had.

Now I'm kinda just hanging around, trying to make it through the day. Hard to describe the feeling but this life doesn't feel like *my* life anymore

This. So much.

 

[Orions Pain]

This. So much.

It's weird because I'll snap out of it and remember this is my life now. Like I'm actually present and it's happening to me

But I'm kind of numb to everything and it scares me a bit.

 

[Orions Pain]

I had this future planned out for myself. Married by 30. Have some kids, enjoy life. I never wanted a mansion or fancy cars or anything like that. Just a simple little house with enough to take a trip to the lake every summer or something.

It's funny because you think you have all the time in the world to be healthy, but you don't.

Other than finding out you're infertile, or having some sort of disorder that either puts a time-limit on your life (cancer) or leaves you not able to care for yourself or allow you to move around with ease (being paralyzed/severe brain damage/going blind) I really can't picture something more life changing than Tinnitus

Not only do you feel mentally exhausted all the time, you become SO limited with what you can do. I also worry about bringing children into the world because I fear there may come a day where I need to exit the world and when I go I want to make sure no one is suffering. Friends will get over it. Kids are a different story.

 

[Tweedleman]

It's weird because I'll snap out of it and remember this is my life now. Like I'm actually present and it's happening to me

But I'm kind of numb to everything and it scares me a bit.

Yea it's that feeling of unreality. Like this can't be real, but it is. Especially when the before-time is still so fresh in the memory.

 

[Orions Pain]

Yea it's that feeling of unreality. Like this can't be real, but it is. Especially when the before-time is still so fresh in the memory.

I truely think I'm being punished for not appreciating my life before. Life wasn't perfect, and I did have moments where I felt like I was one of the unluckiest people in the world. But I never ever imaged an incurable, invisible illness to occur.

 

[Tweedleman]

I truely think I'm being punished for not appreciating my life before. Life wasn't perfect, but I never thought this level of misery existed.

Yep. You don't realize what you've got until it's gone.