If I weren't still dragging around the fear of what they might say, I would openly use my 500th blog post to email this letter to my friends and family. Dear Friend, I suffer from depression. (1) My life with depression started before I was 19, and depression has been a factor in most of my life’s decisions, both small and large. I do not say this to excuse my … [Read more...] about Stigma Has Kept Me From “Coming Out” With My Depression
SMART - Self Management And Recovery Training
3 Ways Depression is Keeping My Continued Success Away
Of course, it could be me and I’m blaming my ups and down on my depression. This can easily lead to the “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” Am I using depression as an excuse for getting to the edge of long-term success and then sabotaging my success? Or is it depression that creeps in and takes away the success I have earned? I feel like the dog who chased cars … [Read more...] about 3 Ways Depression is Keeping My Continued Success Away
With Or Without Depression, It’s Never Always Rainbows and Unicorns
I cannot believe depression had me thinking this. Having just gone through a period of four weeks with increasing signs of a relapse, I am relieved that it is over. Well, over for the moment. Not over as in I will never have to go through that again. Yet each time this happens, I want to think it will never happen again. Coming out of the abyss, I see a new world, full of … [Read more...] about With Or Without Depression, It’s Never Always Rainbows and Unicorns
OK, I’m Ready To Get Started!
The first email I can find about the project was from the middle of March. (Please read to the end. Sometimes I need to warm up to the depression part) That was 5 months ago. Then, it seemed like only a matter of weeks and the garage construction would be underway. With three estimates in hand and conversations with all three contractors, we had made our choice. March … [Read more...] about OK, I’m Ready To Get Started!
Depression is Not My Fault, But What About Where My Decisions Lead Me?
Daily I repeat to myself, “I have depression, depression does not have me.” And I have been fortunate to have help reinforcing that idea. From medicine management, WRAP, SMART Recovery, the Change Triangle, and more, I have tools. And I have peer support. All of this has helped me gain a clearer perspective on depression and how it has altered the trajectory of my … [Read more...] about Depression is Not My Fault, But What About Where My Decisions Lead Me?