I so love this and live it everyday. At almost 64, in September, I’ve overcome much pain and anxiety and grief and illness and I’m still standing after being told I will die from kidney failure 25 years later I’m still here.
Kindest regards
Carol Power
Johannesburg
South Africa
Speak truth to power wrt depression and anxiety and overthinking minds
When. I was in deep depression, I went through the same thing. Every night it was sobbing, at times wailing and trying to decide between suicide or drinking. Today I’m grateful I did neither.
I found this fascinating, but when my depression comes back it lasts for months maybe I’m not doing the right things. I’ve tried many of them. I do adhere to Daniel Jacob’s way of treatment: staying close to home in your P.J.’s. That’s the thing that helped me even though it took longer.
I like your point about gut feelings and intuition not being accurate when mental illness is involved. I feel like people are always saying we should trust ours, but for some of us, they’re wrong.
I have failures, down times, and set backs. When I do, I always remember: I survived the abuse I suffered as a child, and if I can survive that, I can survive anything. (That doesn't mean we need to abuse kids to make 'em strong--strength can be cultivated in children in much healthier ways.)
Then, I spend time reflecting. Possibly talking to friends I trust, and doing things I enjoy.
In time, sometimes a little longer than others, I come back. Frequently with a new perspective, sometimes with a little growth.
Wow, the universe works in mysterious ways. On day three of one of the worst depressed days since a long time, I was about to write you a message and ask: what do you do when you lose hope?
But here you’ve written a whole plan for it!
I reckoned I treat this wave of depression as a case of a bad stomach flu. One where you are so sick that you can’t function. I tried to push through like I always do, tried to reason it out, breathe it away, but the energy needed to be unloaded so I ended up lying down a lot and crying. Oh, and panicking. Because the responsibilities as a mom stay ever present, so I always feel guilty about that.
By now I know, that when the guilt is way too much to function or even breathe, I’m in the funk again. And I need to rest and take up even more space (oh, horror).
The worst is when I can’t get out of my head (because part of me knows that’s where the real hurt is - in the body), but when I feel my stomach finally relax a bit and my hips too, if I’m lucky, yeah then the warmth and the hope comes back to me. Then I know I’m on my way out.
I find it scary to let go of control and be with the whole hopelessness of it. My thoughts are really frightening. I try to remind myself that this too shall pass, and sometimes I believe it and sometimes the thoughts win. In the end hope always returns. So far I’ve made it through. I hope one day to be like you: a hand reaching out to us who are in the dark and saying: the road is bad but here comes the light again. This way. You can do this.
I so love this and live it everyday. At almost 64, in September, I’ve overcome much pain and anxiety and grief and illness and I’m still standing after being told I will die from kidney failure 25 years later I’m still here.
Kindest regards
Carol Power
Johannesburg
South Africa
Speak truth to power wrt depression and anxiety and overthinking minds
Bravo!
Just think how many people you have and are helping and leading by example. Hat’s off to you. Charles
Thanks I really appreciate that.
Just like if I feel like drinking (or dying) I wait till tomorrow- could be a better day.
Also relatable….>>
I’m afraid, and I have no idea why, so my brain looks for things to be scared of…
When. I was in deep depression, I went through the same thing. Every night it was sobbing, at times wailing and trying to decide between suicide or drinking. Today I’m grateful I did neither.
I’m grateful you did neither as well. Must have taken a lot of strength at times.
I think it was God and Jenny.
Same here, hippie. 💕
This resonates with me too. I think rest is very important— as Jim Carrey says.. “depressed” means you may need “deep rest.”
I had not heard that quote from Jim Carrey before, thanks for sharing it. (Plus nice comment)
I found this fascinating, but when my depression comes back it lasts for months maybe I’m not doing the right things. I’ve tried many of them. I do adhere to Daniel Jacob’s way of treatment: staying close to home in your P.J.’s. That’s the thing that helped me even though it took longer.
I like your point about gut feelings and intuition not being accurate when mental illness is involved. I feel like people are always saying we should trust ours, but for some of us, they’re wrong.
I have failures, down times, and set backs. When I do, I always remember: I survived the abuse I suffered as a child, and if I can survive that, I can survive anything. (That doesn't mean we need to abuse kids to make 'em strong--strength can be cultivated in children in much healthier ways.)
Then, I spend time reflecting. Possibly talking to friends I trust, and doing things I enjoy.
In time, sometimes a little longer than others, I come back. Frequently with a new perspective, sometimes with a little growth.
Wow, the universe works in mysterious ways. On day three of one of the worst depressed days since a long time, I was about to write you a message and ask: what do you do when you lose hope?
But here you’ve written a whole plan for it!
I reckoned I treat this wave of depression as a case of a bad stomach flu. One where you are so sick that you can’t function. I tried to push through like I always do, tried to reason it out, breathe it away, but the energy needed to be unloaded so I ended up lying down a lot and crying. Oh, and panicking. Because the responsibilities as a mom stay ever present, so I always feel guilty about that.
By now I know, that when the guilt is way too much to function or even breathe, I’m in the funk again. And I need to rest and take up even more space (oh, horror).
The worst is when I can’t get out of my head (because part of me knows that’s where the real hurt is - in the body), but when I feel my stomach finally relax a bit and my hips too, if I’m lucky, yeah then the warmth and the hope comes back to me. Then I know I’m on my way out.
I find it scary to let go of control and be with the whole hopelessness of it. My thoughts are really frightening. I try to remind myself that this too shall pass, and sometimes I believe it and sometimes the thoughts win. In the end hope always returns. So far I’ve made it through. I hope one day to be like you: a hand reaching out to us who are in the dark and saying: the road is bad but here comes the light again. This way. You can do this.