Reefing saved my life

[samnaz]

Thank you for sharing this with us. Almost brings a tear to my eye to hear your heart wrenching path out of darkness, it’s truly unimaginable. I think it would be good for you to write that article, good for others who need to hear it.

What if reefing can save another persons life? Your story will spark inspiration, and wonder and hope in someone. I can only hope other vets/survivors/anyone else who is suffering out there can find what you did... so they too can be saved, or at least helped in some way.

Best of luck to you

 

[Gonzo74]

Thank you for sharing this with us. Almost brings a tear to my eye to hear your heart wrenching path out of darkness, it’s truly unimaginable. I think it would be good for you to write that article, good for others who need to hear it.

What if reefing can save another persons life? Your story will spark inspiration, and wonder and hope in someone. I can only hope other vets/survivors/anyone else who is suffering out there can find what you did... so they too can be saved, or at least helped in some way.

Best of luck to you

Thank you the kind words. I do hope to help others. I will be posting soon.

 

[nickkohrn]

I have often seen stories of animals, such as dogs, bringing insurmountable joy to the lives of others. It has made me think about how the unfortunate losses of those animals impact the lives of the owners that relied on them for joy and comfort.

In the time that you have had your reef tank, have you battled hardships with it that have made times tough rather than enjoyable, such as dinoflagellates, coral/fish loss, or anything else that is typically considered difficult?

I don’t want my question to seem rude, so I hope that it doesn’t offend you. I asked because even though I don’t see mine as a saving grace, I cannot imagine myself not having a reef tank.

I am glad that you are still with us, and I thank you for enduring the difficult things that you have done for our country and freedom.

 

[Waynerock]

My wife told me when I was getting a new rocket that I could get a new awesome reef tank instead and I chose the tank! The way the roads around here are getting and the fact in the last year two of my riding friends got in bad accidents on rides I would of been on tells me she probably saved my life! We rode fast and did not think most of the time. My kids like my tank more too

 

[Gonzo74]

I have often seen stories of animals, such as dogs, bringing insurmountable joy to the lives of others. It has made me think about how the unfortunate losses of those animals impact the lives of the owners that relied on them for joy and comfort.

In the time that you have had your reef tank, have you battled hardships with it that have made times tough rather than enjoyable, such as dinoflagellates, coral/fish loss, or anything else that is typically considered difficult?

I don’t want my question to seem rude, so I hope that it doesn’t offend you. I asked because even though I don’t see mine as a saving grace, I cannot imagine myself not having a reef tank.

I am glad that you are still with us, and I thank you for enduring the difficult things that you have done for our country and freedom.

I don’t think it is rude at all. Although I can understand how dog owners suffer from the loss of a pet, I don’t see my tank in that manner.

Don’t get me wrong. I have my favorites in my tank and I do my best to give them an environment to thrive in, but I don’t react too negatively to issues.

You see, my tank provides me with a distraction to unwanted thoughts. I have several flashbacks of combat weekly. It could be from a loud bang or a crowded area. Sometimes, it is from someone scaring me thinking it is fun. When this happens my anxiety kicks in and it’s hard to get rid of.

What my tank does for me is gives me something to focus on and calm myself down. It soothes my anxiety by allowing me to focus my thoughts on something else. With that said, I don’t like losing fish or coral, however, when I do, I get deep into the cause/issue and this allows me to focus more.

It’s almost like the ability to completely emerge myself into ALL the complexities of what could be going wrong, helps me drown out everything else and also process the things that happened to me that day.

 

[Gonzo74]

Here is what helps me survive:

 

[Gonzo74]

My wife told me when I was getting a new rocket that I could get a new awesome reef tank instead and I chose the tank! The way the roads around here are getting and the fact in the last year two of my riding friends got in bad accidents on rides I would of been on tells me she probably saved my life! We rode fast and did not think most of the time. My kids like my tank more too

I sold my bike to buy my wife’s engagement ring. I prefer my tank to that bike any day.

 

[reef r madness]

I am interested in sharing my experience of reefing as a way to cope with combat PTSD. It has really changed my life. I spent 21 years in some
of the Army’s toughest units and at one point was close to ending my own life. This “hobby” saved my life.

I was thinking about writing an article. Can anyone tell me how to submit one?

Also, let’s share our experience. How many of you have gone through something unimaginable and/or horrible and turned to reefing as a way to escape and processes things? How many of you are willing to share how this has helped you?

It may not even have to be something extreme. How has reefing helped you through something?

I would like to thank you for your service and all the personal sacrifices that you have had to make..

 

[Gonzo74]

Thank you @reef r madness !

I hope to be able to connect with others, not just veterans, that are having a hard time coping with life. I think this R2R platform is more than just a community to help reefers reef. What i have learned is that it is a small family of like minded people that are helpful in many aspects.

I am happy to be here. I hope I can help someone going through something similar to what I am/have gone through.

 

[Jacked Reefer]

I’m glad I’m not the only one. I have chronic depression and high function autism. I was bored and didn’t think I had any reason to live. My aquariums have not only given me purpose in life, but have helped me make friends and just be more happy with who I am.

 

[Gonzo74]

I’m glad I’m not the only one. I have chronic depression and high function autism. I was bored and didn’t think I had any reason to live. My aquariums have not only given me purpose in life, but have helped me make friends and just be more happy with who I am.

Right!?!?

It’s hard for me to make friends because so many things trigger me that I prefer not to meet people, however, when I meet new people at reef clubs or at an LFS, it’s different because it’s easy to talk to others with the same interest.

Glad it helps you too. Happy for you.

 

[EmilyXLC]

My father was a Vietnam veteran who struggled daily with life after he got home. When I moved in with him in high school, I had taken an interest in the marine hobby, & we set up the first of many aquariums together. I know for a fact that the 72 gallon setup that he had when I moved off to college was one of the things that helped him cope with living alone again.

He maintained it for about 3 years, and he loved it tremendously. He never wanted to discuss the details of his struggles, but he always made sure to tell me how much joy the hobby gave him.

It’s been almost 4 months since he passed away, but now I actually work in the hobby, & I can’t tell you how comforting it is to wake up in the morning & look forward to coming to the office— it makes my heart a bit less sad because my colleagues are so wonderful & I always think of how much dad would’ve loved seeing the setups we have...

I moved dad in with me, and he spent the last year and a half surrounded by family who loved him. I had stayed home to care for him full time, and I almost feel like my new job was kind of him pulling through for me just one last time. When he died, I struggled severely & actually survived a suicide attempt— not something I’m proud of, but caregiver fatigue & mourning loss is very difficult. Weeks later, the job just kind of fell into my lap. I’m finally smiling again and laughing again— I just wish Dad was here to see it.

 

[Gonzo74]

Thank you for sharing that. I am happy your dad found solace in this hobby like I do. You are a great daughter and I am sure you dad would be proud of where you are and what you are doing.

I am glad you survived, as I am glad I also survived. I could only wish to be working in this hobby. You are a luck person.

Again, thank you for sharing this. I hope to be able to help others through the hobby in the future.

My wife is a therapist and has her own practice. I hope to somehow merge these two things together some day to help others.

 

[Gonzo74]

My father was a Vietnam veteran who struggled daily with life after he got home. When I moved in with him in high school, I had taken an interest in the marine hobby, & we set up the first of many aquariums together. I know for a fact that the 72 gallon setup that he had when I moved off to college was one of the things that helped him cope with living alone again.

He maintained it for about 3 years, and he loved it tremendously. He never wanted to discuss the details of his struggles, but he always made sure to tell me how much joy the hobby gave him.

It’s been almost 4 months since he passed away, but now I actually work in the hobby, & I can’t tell you how comforting it is to wake up in the morning & look forward to coming to the office— it makes my heart a bit less sad because my colleagues are so wonderful & I always think of how much dad would’ve loved seeing the setups we have...

I moved dad in with me, and he spent the last year and a half surrounded by family who loved him. I had stayed home to care for him full time, and I almost feel like my new job was kind of him pulling through for me just one last time. When he died, I struggled severely & actually survived a suicide attempt— not something I’m proud of, but caregiver fatigue & mourning loss is very difficult. Weeks later, the job just kind of fell into my lap. I’m finally smiling again and laughing again— I just wish Dad was here to see it.

Thank you for sharing that. I am happy your dad found solace in this hobby like I do. You are a great daughter and I am sure you dad would be proud of where you are and what you are doing.

I am glad you survived, as I am glad I also survived. I could only wish to be working in this hobby. You are a luck person.

Again, thank you for sharing this. I hope to be able to help others through the hobby in the future.

My wife is a therapist and has her own practice. I hope to somehow merge these two things together some day to help others.

 

[EmilyXLC]

Thank you for sharing that. I am happy your dad found solace in this hobby like I do. You are a great daughter and I am sure you dad would be proud of where you are and what you are doing.

I am glad you survived, as I am glad I also survived. I could only wish to be working in this hobby. You are a luck person.

Again, thank you for sharing this. I hope to be able to help others through the hobby in the future.

My wife is a therapist and has her own practice. I hope to somehow merge these two things together some day to help others.

That is incredible— it’s wonderful that your wife has such a great understanding of mental illness. I have a lot of friends who have recently come home from overseas & can’t even find someone who can understand why they have changed after deployment. Im so happy to hear that you’d like to fuse the two; maybe start with a nano in her office?

I had been working towards my degree & wanted to work for the VA, but honestly I just can’t even begin to handle it these days. I’m just going to stay where I am & help people get their dream builds & play with my pufferfish LOL

 

[Gonzo74]

That is incredible— it’s wonderful that your wife has such a great understanding of mental illness. I have a lot of friends who have recently come home from overseas & can’t even find someone who can understand why they have changed after deployment. Im so happy to hear that you’d like to fuse the two; maybe start with a nano in her office?

I had been working towards my degree & wanted to work for the VA, but honestly I just can’t even begin to handle it these days. I’m just going to stay where I am & help people get their dream builds & play with my pufferfish LOL

Helping people build their dream build sounds like a good life to me.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I am interested in sharing my experience of reefing as a way to cope with combat PTSD. It has really changed my life. I spent 21 years in some
of the Army’s toughest units and at one point was close to ending my own life. This “hobby” saved my life.

I was thinking about writing an article. Can anyone tell me how to submit one?

Also, let’s share our experience. How many of you have gone through something unimaginable and/or horrible and turned to reefing as a way to escape and processes things? How many of you are willing to share how this has helped you?

It may not even have to be something extreme. How has reefing helped you through something?

This is great! I can help with the article process if you'd like.

 

[Gonzo74]

This is great! I can help with the article process if you'd like.

Thanks buddy! I am reading other articles on R2R to ensure I stay within the correct format and disposition of information. I will hit you up soon for advice.

 

[New Jersey REEF]

Life is good but reefing makes it better! @Gonzo74
Glad you with us brother! I appreciate your services and thanks for sharing your story! Looking forward to your article.
Happy reefing!!!

 

[New&no clue]

When my 1 year old was diagnosed with cancer I spent endless hour and night researching anything and everything on treatments, procedures, doctors, recovery, success stories, grieving. When I had read everything I could, talked to everyone I could, learned everything I could I didn't know what else to do. I spiraled, I cried, I tried tirelessly to not have my mind go to dark places, to not thinking about planning a babies funeral.

Luckily for me I had always wanted to fish tank and my therapist suggested getting into a new hobby. I wanted something that I could do at home, but something that would be very consuming mentally. Boy did I find it. Instead of researching cancer I researched fish, corals, lights, skimmers, dosing, qt practices, anything any everything. It kept me sane, it kept me focused, it kept me living day to day and not imagining a dark future.

Sometimes at night when kids are asleep and there is no good reality tv to distract me I start to spiral, but I just sit in front of my tank. I watch the fish I plan my next step. Below is my nightly ritual, my husband asked me if I'm praying to the Fish Gods, maybe I am


I hope you write your article because I think many of us have things happen and these tanks are an escape, but sometimes we don't realize that we aren't alone.