Like many who are employed by corporations, my day job includes working five days a week. This leaves two days for bigger, at-home, time-consuming projects. I spent last week's days off power washing the deck. Now this week, I spent my first day off staining parts of that same deck. The lower area is 16' X 32”’. And the upper is 8’ X 32’. And there are stairs from the upper … [Read more...] about My Self-Care is Really a To-Do List, Is That OK?
guilt and shame
Having Survivor’s Guilt About Depression, Is It OK To Feel OK?
Suddenly, I am back to thinking about survivor’s guilt. Having survived my hospitalization for Major Depressive Disorder, I am moving forward. Using the tools I discovered over the past 28 months, I am finding myself equipped to address depression’s ideas. And depression still has ideas. It wants me to come out and play. It misses our time together. Depression has had to … [Read more...] about Having Survivor’s Guilt About Depression, Is It OK To Feel OK?
Never Again Will You Not Face Your Depression
Not facing my depression was a direct slap in the face to Self-Care. I have written extensively about my struggle with self-care. Finding the balance between “just say no,” and the needs of others can be confusing. Self-care starts with the premise that you must put your oxygen mask on before helping others. I get that, but my generation was not brought up automatically … [Read more...] about Never Again Will You Not Face Your Depression
The Real Truth About Depression and My Survivors Guilt
Some days I need to remind myself that I have depression. But most days, I know that depression and I have a lifelong connection. As I move further away from my time in the hospital, I am beginning to feel guilty for being alive. The better things are going in my life, the more I feel guilty. After all there are many people in much worse shape than I ever was, even as I … [Read more...] about The Real Truth About Depression and My Survivors Guilt
Which Coping Statements for Depression Work for Me?
Positive coping statements for depression is one tool that keeps me from circling the drain. Having spent decades with unhelpful thinking, that was all I knew. And depression was right there to steer me away when I got near coping statements for depression. It often sent me time traveling. I spent more time in the future than Marty in “back to the future.” The future for me … [Read more...] about Which Coping Statements for Depression Work for Me?