I have lived on Social Security since I was 50 because of the inability to work because of anxiety and depression. I thought I was worthless, but I now know I am safe, lovable, worthy, good enough and capable. I still live with a service animal though I had no idea that was what I was training my last BC to be. She helped me with many of the issues. I was always terrific in her eyes and still am in my Golden boy's eyes. Many people cannot work for health problems of some sort or another and it is all good. Remind yourself that you are precious to various people. You are all precious to me.

I have been, for the first time in my life, out of work for over a year and a half ! When I went on sick leave I thought it was just temporary but it wasn't, I have BPD and lots of anxiety and depression. I just turned 50y this April and I am so scared for the first time in my life. I want to go back to work but I'm not sure where it would be best since a lot of environment bother me. I worked at a mental health place and the environment was very toxic, not only the patients were a challenge but also the staff was giving me a hard time. Now, I volunteer at the local animal shelter and it gives me a purpose since I love animals so much.
I sometimes feel alone since I have no kids and not allowed pets in my place but I keep saying to myself that I must have a roll to play since i'm here taking space on this earth.
I just got an email from the animal shelter and they want to offer me three days a week to start, I am very scared but think I should try it out.

Acceptance would be so much easier to to feel comfortable with one's self. However, that's just not the case for anyone of us. Just short of a miracle, we'd be more accepting of who we really are. Don't be guilty don't be hard on yourself don't harbor any I'll will towards yourself. I know easier said than done. It took me years and years to to feel the way that you do. Being there for other people helps me alot! Being of service, if all I do is just listen, is a functional way for me to feel better about myself and my surroundings when I reach out to others in the same boat as me. Try it! You've got nothing to lose. Please help other's!

well I'm 52 I put in some time working before i went to boot camp at at nursing home which i love the patients but hated the way they were treated. I was told i care to much. I join the USAF and went to boot camp and training school then my now hubby went to Florida with me. I went work in the hospital and i work in various places for 8 years. I had two sons and i was sick most the time and my son got sick and i got out on a medical retirement which means i got all the retirement benefits and medical benefits. We went back to TN and soon after i got cancer and then when i got in remission i went to college and after graduation at 2 year college i got sick again so i got Social Sincerity Disability and took care of my kids. Later on my hubby got fibromyalgia and went on disability it took almost 3 years to get it and we went in debt. So we did the best we can not working doesn't mean you can do in society. I got depressed because with all happening in my life.The pain medication made me depressed and i went suicidal and was put on the psyche ward for a week. I was taken off a lot of meds and started all over. That was in 2006 i have good days and bad days and i go one day at a time. I do my best to trust in God every day live for him. There's a song I love called In God's Time and I listen to it a lot and what it talks about is true. Some days i feel guilty about not working but as long as i'm doing God's work then i'm doing ok. What's important in my life is God, Family and Friends and everything else will fall into place.

I learned along time ago what people think about me is none of my business. I had to retire from a 39 year career as a Registered Nurse. Yes I was sad but I realized I no longer could stand the profession and it was time to go. My employer had become a hostile workplace. I had a suicide attempt and I know they would have found a reason to fire me. I didn’t want to lose my pension. I have a mental illness and can no longer work. Apparently Uncle Sam agreed and I got my full Social Security payment at age 60 instead of 65. God did for me what I couldn’t do for myself and I am truly grateful. This site and the people on my team have been wonderful and supportive. Thank you all!