I've sat here and stared at a blank screen for 20 mins. Not knowing where to start. Its amazing that in an emergency situation, my training kicks in and i'm golden.. but every day I still sit here trying organize the chaos in my head. I can practically hear the echo of my own voice. When I reach out, no one is there. But I guess that is the hand I was dealt. So, those are the cards I'll play for now.
Every day is a struggle. I have to drag myself out of bed because I have no reason not to. Sometimes I think it'd be easier for everyone if I wasn't around. Ok. More than sometimes. I'm more forgettable then ppl think. I've been told enough times that I'm nothing but a burden. They're probably right. Anyone who thinks otherwise is either lying to themselves or delusional.
My biggest problem is I grew up convincing myself that things won't always be that bad. Dreamed up a fairy tale ending... and here I am at 28 still nursing the bruises of the last 28 years. Nothing has gotten better. I just keep lying to myself to get through each day. You can only block for so long before you just stop defending yourself. End result? You end up laying there bruised and bloody waiting for the pain to finally fade.
I just can't shake the feeling that I'm in the way. That ppl only invite me to do shit cuz they feel bad. It's the worst feeling. Even when I'm around ppl, I get the same feeling. I see the way ppl look at me. With pity and ignorance. I'm just another vet without a support system. I used to be able to read ppl, but now all I can read is the lack of respect in the eyes of Americans. I see how all they care about is their trip to the mall. They could care less about what happens to us, because their life still goes on. But let it directly effect them and see how that all changes. No wonder we carry resentment. It's business as usual.
PTSD is a serious demon that is grossly underestimated. It can destroy you. It helps to have a solid support system you can fall back on. But that support system has to have meaning. The only support system that will work is one that you trust not to throw you away with the trash. You have to be able to know for sure that when you're reaching up from the bottom, that someone will be there to pull you out. If that doesn't exist, you're chances of healing are not very good.Its good to have ANYONE, but the internet will not help. You need someone actually around. I've been digging my way out for a long time. And every time someone grabs on, they just... let go. And back to bottom I go.
Some days I just sit here in silence trying to find meaning again. The only meaning I have left is helping when and where I can. But it's so exhausting. Then I start sinking again. The way you spend the rest of your life is always up to you. You can spend the rest of your life treading water, or you can get to shore and start over. I'm somewhere in the middle. Still trying to figure out if the effort is worth it.
(No. I am not suicidal.)
(No. I am not suicidal.)
