It has been 15 months since depression, and I walked into the emergency room. The tools I have learned since that morning are making my day-to-day life more balanced. I am much more consistent in my mood and attitude. Frequently the days do not look daunting and I am able to get up and get…
Tag: SMART
Recent Raccoons and My Depression
I know my depression recovery is not a straight line. And, in the animal kingdom, some species are more active at certain times of the year. This includes raccoons that I see now on my nightly commute home. Having traveled the same back roads for almost a year, there are certain spots where I expect…
Losing My Pandemic Pounds is Not Easy
For several weeks now, my scale has hovered around 198 lbs. This is 14 lb. above my February weight, and 20+ pounds above my ideal weight. I tell myself that I will easily lose weight when I focus on this. But that has not gotten the pounds off. In fact, several weeks ago I was…
Will I be Ready for My New Psychiatrist?
I promise to tell my new Doctor the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Going into my doctor’s office and putting on my concealed depression face results in me not getting the true help I need. Depression is once again getting me to be secretive. It reminds me that no one understands…
Super Saturday – Maybe I Did Need Some Time Off
I have gotten a myriad of things done today. It is day two of my mini-vacation and I am more relaxed than yesterday. In fact, yesterday I was scattered all over the place. Today, my list and my priorities are more aligned. Having purchased the tomato cages yesterday, putting them around the plants in the…
If I Only Had 10 Days to Live
A year ago, my focus was on Major Depressive Disorder. Would I figure it out? Was there life for me going forward? Could I see past the wall that I was up against? Although at that moment, I could not see the big picture, somewhere in my anatomy, I knew I would make it. Remember,…
What is Depression and Why Do I Have It?
Beginning my second year with Major Depressive Disorder, I am still not leading a balanced life. Now things are certainly much, much better than they were a year ago. I have hope and can see a way forward. Last year, I was up against the wall and saw NO way forward. It was all abyss….
I Have the Tools, Why am I Not Using Them?
It seems very straight-forward. You encounter a problem. You decide what tool you need to repair the problem. Then you use the chosen tool and fix the problem. Problem solved. This works great for when the lawnmower is sputtering and won’t start or your zipper in your coat is stuck and needs fixing. Applying this…
Three Things I Learned While Circling the Drain
Most of December and the first two weeks of January were draining as depression was trying it’s best to pull me under. Had I not been through this same process less than a year ago, I am sure the outcome would have been the same. But this time, I had tools and a Wellness Recovery…
My “picker” is Not Working Right Now
That was the coolest thing I had heard all day. My “picker” is not working. Someone had to explain it to me, as I was only partially sure I understood what the term meant. It turns out the reference is about “choosing a partner.” In the context of substance abuse or recovery, this partner may…
