Depression and Self-Care: Finding a new hope.
Jan 04, 2018
There
seems to be a duality in our world today. We either are expected to
have it all together, or we are expected to fall apart. There doesn't
seem to
be any in between. It's black and white. You're either with it or
not. Somehow, we have this idea that depression
is only there or only valid when things
are critical. But that simply is not true. The truth is that you can be
struggling and still be carrying on. If we resist the urge to fall
apart, it seems like everyone just expects us to be ok. All or
nothing. How do we help ourselves when we are stuck
in the middle?
This
is where self-care can come in. Self-care can help you push out of
that terrible purgatory of never being satisfied and always feeling on
the verge
of falling apart. Here are three simple steps that can help you on your
way to transitioning to a better life.
Step # 1: Start.
It
sounds simple right? Just, start. Still, this can be the hardest step
to take. Somehow it seems like there needs to be a list of rules that
make starting
possible. It has to be a Monday, or the first day of the month. Or, I
have to have a clean house first. Stop coming up with excuses. The day
doesn't matter. The time doesn't. Your house can be perfectly
spotless or look like a tornado went through it.
Start anyways. Make a list. Make a goal. Decide what you want and go
for it.
Step # 2: Get help.
Once
again, the stigma of mental health disorders has brought some sort of
invisible paralysis to many people out there. They think to themselves,
I'm
still working. I'm still moving. I'm still carrying on. So, I can't
really ask for help. This thinking is wrong. New flash, if you feel
like you need help, chances are you probably do. And, a mental
health professional can offer support that you can't receive from any other avenues.
Step # 3: Forgive yourself and give yourself a chance to grow.
Sadly,
self-care is not easy. Change doesn't happen overnight. Sometimes, we
slip up. Forgiving yourself and letting go are a huge part of
self-care.
Give it time. You will get stronger. Think of it like going to the
gym. Muscles don't form overnight. It takes time.
Self-care
can be so vital in dealing with depression. Take a leap of faith and
start living today. You don't have to be stuck in the purgatory of
depression
forever. Please contact us more information on how to start your journey of self-care.
Category: Depression Counseling
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