Pursuing Life and Self-Worth Beyond Depression
Updated: Aug 27, 2021
Can we be honest? I have had many moments in my life where I have struggled horribly with depression; and, even now feeling so mentally strong, there are times where I catch myself falling into the depths of my past and slowly sinking into depression again.
Why would l admit that? Because I am human. I am normal.
The difference? I have MANY strategies that I use to keep it in check.
This is a very hard time for a lot of people and I want to encourage you to fight yourself and your freedom from depression.
Know that no matter how hard you are struggling and no matter how far down and dark you feel, there are steps you can take to pull yourself out.
Strategies to Fight for You and Have Freedom Over Depression
Depression Strategy 1: I am a big proponent to paying attention to the triggers in my life.
We don’t typically wake up and choose to be depressed. There were signs in advance and we need to make sure that we and those around us are paying attention to these!
A few of mine? my kitchen starts to get messy, my inbox TOO full, I start to wear all dark colors and the oddest but the biggest? I stop wearing mascara. A ton of people (including clients) know this and I give them all permission to call me out on any of these if they see it!
Depression Strategy 2: I ask myself the following ~ Am I sleeping? Am I eating healthy? Am I taking on too much?
It is hard to pull yourself out of depression once you are there; asking these questions constantly help me prevent falling into depression, it is a way to eliminate the patterns you know exist. Often now when I start to feel myself going down, I can catch it crazy fast as it is usually tied to the above.
You often do need outside help but if you can do maintenance on a daily basis, it makes it so much easier to deal with and keeps it in check WAY faster.
Depression Strategy 3: Know your cycles of depression.
I am super careful especially at this time of year to keep in check the thoughts that go into my head and the people I surround myself with.
What does this mean for me? I ONLY watch positive tv. No murder mysteries, nothing dark, nothing including the news, no toxic people, no negative phone calls if possible.
Does this make me a bad person? NO. It means that I love my mental health enough to fight for it. To make it a priority.
This time of year is hard. It is dark, it is cold, we are not typically as social.
We turn to comfort food more often than we probably should. We have just spent a ton of time with family that are not always healthy for us or we were completely alone and that has made it just as hard.
Give yourself grace.
Depression Strategy 4: Reaching out to other people.
Depression can be insanely isolating because you don’t feel like doing anything or talking to anyone, but you really should try!
You might be surprised by how understanding people can be. Even strangers! It doesn’t have to be a big chore like signing up for a class. You could just have someone call to check in on you once in a while or send a message to an old friend. Even something as little as talking to a stranger at the grocery store can lift your mood a bit.
Depression Strategy 5: Do things that make you feel good.
You deserve to feel good! You need it! We all do! Make yourself some chocolate milk! Put on your favourite album from when you were a teenager! Love tacos? Get some!
If there’s an outfit that makes you feel good, rock that all day long! It may be little, it may be temporary, but if it makes you feel better, you should do it.
Depression Strategy 6: Cover the Basics
This is the hardest thing to do when you’re depressed, I KNOW. But you need to make sure you are functional and not sinking deeper into depression by not taking care of your basic needs. Eat. Sleep. Exercise.
