The Little Things

 

This morning, I was sitting in my chair in front of my window, talking to a friend on the phone, when I saw a mother with her two toddlers stomping around in fresh rain puddles in the parking lot. Unbeknownst to me, it instantly brought a big smile to my face. Seeing them laughing and running around with each other made my heart so happy!

Then it came to me; I honestly can't remember the last time I saw kids playing in rain puddles. I should have gone out and thanked that mom. Thank you for making me smile, but more importantly, for encouraging your kids to enjoy the little things life gives us.

How I Found Hope Living with Depression

 

It has been almost two years since I contemplated dying by suicide. It was a dark time. A time that I do not want to go back to. There are days when I can't believe it ever happened. How did I become so hopeless that I thought death was the only answer?

Regardless of how I got to the dark time, I want to reflect on how far I have come today. This is not to say that life has been all rainbows and butterflies—it hasn't been. Life happens. However, when life happens, I am much better prepared for the rough road ahead than I was two years ago.

Is It Just Me?

I'm tired of being everyone's counselor.

I'm tired of being everyone's lover.

I'm tired of being everyone's confidant.

How Does an Introvert Deal with Depression?

My blog on HealthyPlace: Introverts Guide to Coping with Depression

Being introverted means I am the type of person who re-energizes through solitude. Some may think this is weird or a bad thing. It's not. It is just how my brain works - I would much rather hang out with my kids, pup, or a couple close friends than be with a group of people or at a large gathering. Now as I have gotten older, I have become more adaptable to being in large groups and having to hold conversations with others (although I still suck at small talk). However, when I'm done socializing, I'm exhausted! I then need some quiet time or a nap to be functional again. 

Coping with Depression

Check out my blog posts about coping with depression on healthyplace.com

Today, there is still a stigma about depression: "Why can't people just snap out of it?" If it were only that easy! Being diagnosed with a depressive disorder is more than just feeling sad sometimes. First, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a condition that causes a persistently low or depressed mood – not situational sadness or feeling low. Sometimes, it can be triggered, and sometimes, it can be out of the blue. Regardless of how it comes about, MDD affects sleep, appetite, energy, ability to focus, and interest in usually enjoyable things (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Coping with MDD is multi-faceted. There is not just one solution or magic pill that improves or cures mental health – it is a mixture of things that help people (and me) cope.