This coming weekend is a tricky one for me. This time last year was the lowest point of my life when I was ready to do something silly and end it all!
Thankfully the really negative thoughts I have been dealing with the past few days have subsided enough for me to be able to look back at how far I have come in the last 12 months with a sense of pride and achievement.
I have said it many times before but cannot emphasis enough how important is can be to realise that hitting rock bottom does not have to be the end. The challenge of fighting back and seeing a new day brings it’s own rewards.
At times it has been a struggle, especially as I am someone who finds it difficult to see the positives, but I am still here! I am still fighting and I have not given up. And that is reason to celebrate a new improved Garry since the dark days of March 2012.
In a strange way dealing with depression has made me into a better person. I am more tolerant of other people and their problems and certainly more open and honest about my own issues, as opposed to the person who took years before admitting he needed help. I certainly feel more creative since I decided to embrace my illness and try and turn it into something that could provide other people with a point of reference in terms of how someone copes with depression.
The biggest difference for me though is that I am not afraid. I am not afraid to ask for help when I need it, not afraid to talk openly about my depression and not afraid to face anything depression can throw at me.
I know there are bad days and good days and the important thing for me is that I know that mood cycles do change. When I am going through bad cycles I know that good ones are just around the corner and this helps me get through them.
A trick I like to use when I am having a bad day is to use the clock to my advantage. One day has only 24 hours in it so when I am having a bad day I work out how many hours are left in the day and wait for tomorrow to begin when it may be a good day! It may not work for you but worth trying out at least.
Here’s to another year of never feeling so low I think about not being alive anymore!
What a huge accomplishment. I am so proud of you Garry.
thank you Juliana, with people like you in my life how can I fail? x
Yay for you! I feel the same way bout being a better person due to my own adversity. Keep up the great attitude.
thank you! sometimes it helps to look on the bright side doesnt it
you have given me hope that no matter how bad I feel there is light at the end of the tunnel all days can’t be horrendous and the clock idea is a great keep up good work moose
thanks Joanne, give it a go let me know if it helps..
Morning, I think the fact that you acknowledge the depression now more, both to yourself and others is a big amount of progress. Hope you have a nice weeknd
thanks Madd
I suffer from chemical depression, which is controlled by medication.
I’ve been at total rock bottom myself, and so I applaud you for fighting on xx
thank you Missus, we have to keep fighting the good fight to inspire those around us who feel there is nothing to fight for.
Absolutely! There is *always* hope and there is always help at hand 🙂
its 6 months today for me!! welldone!
awesome charli well done to you as well!!!
It’s definitely good that you can talk about it , you should never let things fester inside
Well done Garry keep up the good work it does help us you know
thank you Sue x
Yup, that’s reason to celebrate! I know exactly what you mean… That particular clock “trick” may not work for me, but I do a one minute, one hour, one day at a time sorta thing. I have to remind myself to do it though – especially with the way I have been feeling lately.
Thanks for such an open post – again, it helps to know I’m not in the pool alone.
Huge hugs to you. You’ve come so far since we first bumped into each other – well done xoxoxo
thanks to people like you who have supported and encouraged me weegee x