All of a sudden, the cold appeared from nowhere –
it was like being pushed out of a warm car in the middle of December.
I was Depressed. Waking up was the downfall of my day, and going to sleep wasn’t much fun either. I could sleep — during the day, while listening to you speak, or while doing pretty much anything besides sleeping, but I hated waking up and having to face this world in my condition.
Most people don’t stop for you –
they can’t – they are too busy. If they stop, something else stops, and then something else, and then before you know it, it’s 2012 and the world has ended. What I’ve learned is that it’s okay if some people don’t stop. Most for that matter. A lot of times, the people we’re trying to hold still, the ones that we try to cry to, only make us sick.
There are so many things I learned walking out of my Depression – like Love, for example, is a force of nature that we have yet to understand, but it’s vital for our survival — and Fear, it can ruin any chance at happiness.
Let me tell you, I’m type A, incapable of being “sick”, made too many promises of fulfilled dreams and success to be Depressed and wasting time. But, looking back, oh how incredible selfish it was of me to think like that way about my life.
I was near self-destruction when I had to physically and emotionally remove myself from the toxicity of my environment – the life I’d created for myself. I was almost ashamed of having to back away from the “grand life” and be happy with less — only to discover, that the term failure (the label I had given myself) is hardly ever failure.
5 Things I Learned After Being Habitually Depressed
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We can alter our depression by altering our environment.. depressed minds dwell in dark places.
Honestly, I took this to heart and relocated completely. Which for me, meant a new career, new University, new home with my love, his two little amazing boys, my partner in crime (known as my sister), and 2 cats — go big or go home right?
You can also make smaller alterations by changing around furniture, try a new hair style, or a new hobby – but make some changes and gradually increase their significance in your life. -
Ask for Help.
I didn’t like it either, and “didn’t like it” is putting it softly. But the people that love you and truly care about you, they want to help you. Let those people help because they will need you later and the best relationships are built on a foundation of trust and connectivity.
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Don’t Shrivel up.
You’re not small, you never were. Don’t shrink and let the fear of not being enough for any justification for disconnecting from the rest of the world. Own the fact that you walked away because it takes more courage and strength to leave you’re own life behind to start a new one.
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Talk to Your Friends.
This has a lot do do with not shriveling up, but no so much with asking for help. I’m talking about the friends that have made you laugh, and say “me too” when you call them to tell them about something embarrassingly random that just happened. The ones that you almost took a beach trip with – those friends.
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Have a Creative Outlet.
Maybe you’re a creative cook, or painter, maybe you like to read books but haven’t but in a few years or perhaps you like to just read motivational quotes — I get it, time is of the essence and we don’t have very much of it, but make time for at least one thing that will keep you on your toes. I personally have a lot of time now that I’ve moved my entire life and work from home, but I’ve picked up watercolor painting (if you’re not afraid to ask, I might even show you a few 😉).
Long Story Short: There is an after depression. I’m pretty happy and only 1 short month ago, I didn’t believe that was even possible. So here are my 5 lessons learned from my Depression that can help you get through yours.
Disclaimer: I am not a Health Professional, only an advocate for supporting health and wellness. I have battled Depression for many years and this is my story.
