Running away

Running away is a valid choice. Sometimes its even the healthy choice. 'Running away' for a couple of days might be the right things sometimes. When times were hard I often thought to myself 'I could just jump on that train and leave this all behind.' I never did but the thought was comforting, and it would have been better than doing myself some harm which I sometimes thought about at the time. Actually I did, 'run away,' in a sense. I had a doting grandmother and I'd take visits to stay with her for the weekend. It was a way to get away from it all.

Of course most of your problems will follow you eventually in most places you run to. But for a short term relief don't knock running away. It might save your life.

I'm sorry you feel like this.  I've felt this way too, that I just wanted to buy a train ticket and run away somewhere, but I was always too scared to do so.  (Lately I feel overwhelmed, but not so much that I want to run away.)

Life and change are hard, and it's OK to feel like you're struggling.

Can you talk to someone?  Like a counsellor or therapist?  If you can't access one for whatever reason, phoning Samaritans can be helpful.  You don't have to be suicidal to phone.

I hope you and your son are both ok? How do you resist those feelings and thoughts? For me they get so strong and overwhelming, I've made a plan and set a date for when I'll run away. 

I've nowhere else I can go or someone to come with me. Well I've got a friend but only I can see her so I'm not sure if that's healthy for me or not 

That sounds a really positive thing to do. Thank you for suggesting it to me. I will definitely look into this.

It sounds like things are a lot better for you now and I'm really glad to hear that :) 

Sorry you felt this way as well. It's horrible isn't it, home should be your safe space but for me it's the opposite. Do you still feel this way?

For me I think it's just stressful stuff. Parents are getting older, sicker. People have to look after me a lot. I feel a burden and I imagine this happy safe place exists, I can picture it really well and I want to go and find it. I feel like running away would get me away from all the horrible stuff and maybe I just might find my happy place.

Yes its the creative process rather than the outcome

Any sort of distraction helps really I think. Altho that notion didn't used to sit well with me, "Its the capitalist system making me feel this way". Actually it's myself making me feel this way.

I wanted to escape, this time last year. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

We have a vivid imagination; which means that we're rarely grounded in our existence. But, perhaps a hobby would make you feel better.

Looking for that idea to distract you Kate, go on Youtube, At least regardsing beginners painting, but they have people doing all sorts of crafts making short viseos.

It can make a real difference can’t it? Finding that thing that engages you and distracts you from all your worries. It doesn’t really matter what it is - it just has to interest you. I’m glad you’ve found that and that you’re enjoying it. 

I found when i started in an art group it helped. The artist use to tell us there is no, good art.  And there is no, bad art. There is only your art. And there is no, right way, and there is no, wrong way. There is only your way.

And i've found that's true. I can sit here doodling and forget the world around me.

To learn, i didn't spend a fortune, cheap kids poster paints and painted on the back of Weetabix boxes.

I have been getting the same feeling too 

Yes, I feel the same. I am feeling the need to escape right now to be honest.

Let us know if we can help in any way!

I can relate to wanting to run away- I have had 'escape plans' in the past (most of which involved me becoming a hiking guide and/or disappearing into the mountains...) and I am currently also feeling like I want to 'run away' (have a fresh start, move abroad...).

I think wanting to run away for me might mean that I am feeling trapped and overwhelmed by my current environment- it seems like a very natural response to want to escape from all those stresses.

Bless you. For my own reasons I have felt like that. Flight is a shut down/melt down response too.

It's not easier just because you aren't a kid anymore. That doesn't magically go away when you hit 18. We still get overwhelmed. Throw it out here. What's triggering this? Can we help? 

I’m sorry you’re feeling so trapped and unhappy at the moment. Feeling that urge to run away and escape is a feeling I’ve had repeatedly throughout my life. My son is the same. Sometimes just getting away for a few days gets it out of our system. Could you do that? Do you have someone to run away with - so that it’s safe for you?

Request a needs assessment, and the social worker will pair you up with peer support and a care plan which can help you access education, employment and sustainable housing. If you don’t know who you are and what you want to do the support should help you explore options. 

also I was in a dark place over a year ago and getting that needs assessment and the support it entailed has change my life.