Break Through Depression

The holiday season can be a difficult time, especially if things aren't going right in your life or you're struggling with unfulfilled hopes and dreams. This is the time of year when depression can really sink in. One thing I've learned about life is that life is really cool! It has a way of surprising you in the most unexpected ways. However, depression robs you of the ability to step back and say, "Wow, life is so amazing!" When you're depressed, everything seems to get worse and worse.

I say this because I know depression. I have dealt with and overcome severe depression and I know how difficult it can be to break through it. I want to do everything I can to help others break through and be able to experience the awe and joy that life has to offer! Over the next little while, I'm going to post several articles about overcoming depression, with specific tips to help you get the most enjoyment out of your life.

I encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences with comments or private emails. Talking about it is an important step to breaking through it because it helps you to see that you're not alone. No one will ever have the same experiences that you have or feel the same way that you feel because you are unique in every way, but seeing that others have similar experiences and feelings will benefit you.

The first thing I want you to do is take an honest look at your life and answer this question: what is really working for you? You already know what isn't working, your depression reminds you of those things multiple times every day, but if you honestly look at your life, you will discover that some things really are working. Maybe it's just that your cat purrs when you give her love--but that's something! Make a list of everything that is working (and feel free to add it to the comments for this post). Writing the list might even make you smile--and tomorrow I'll write about what to do next.

Last year at this time, I found myself struggling with the most severe depression of my life and I wasn't enjoying the holiday season. I had always loved Christmas time, and I was honestly angry that depression was robbing me of that! I was enjoying my work though, and that gave me something to start with. I took an honest inventory of all the things that were working for me and it helped me regain hope and be able to see some solutions.

I look forward to helping you discover your solutions too!

~*~Monica Who~*~