Looking Beyond

Good morning! 

It’s easy to become self-absorbed when you’re suffering.  That’s understandable; the pain consumes your thoughts and emotions.  But it’s important to look beyond your pain and reach out to others.

No, I don’t think that “getting your mind off your problems” is the cure for depression.  Perhaps if you have the blues, but not true depression.  Reaching out to others in need does, however, help you break out of your cocoon so you can get well.  It takes a lot of tools working together to rewire your brain.  

Start looking in the phonebook or newspaper for places where you can volunteer.  My daughter and I would work weekends at a Ronald McDonald house every 6 weeks.  We also served meals to homeless women.  There are a million places where you could contribute.  Try helping out at an animal shelter, working on a Habitat for Humanity house, or volunteering to stuff envelopes at your church.  Bake cookies and take them to the fire station or police department. 

Getting well must be a top priority, so treat it as such.  Look at yourself as a whole and think where you want to be.  I know you don’t want to remain anxious and depressed!  Review the tools in the right hand column and use the ones that will help you meet your goals.  I used them all.  You may have a different mix of tools.  That’s okay.  Just make sure that you don’t give in to your opposition and give up.  YOU CAN GET BETTER IF YOU MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT! 

I’ll be back next week.

Blessings, Elizabeth

*** If you are new to this blog, it is best to start by reading “About” and the first entry that was posted on May 13, 2013.  Then read each consecutive entry, one per day.  Welcome!

Your Home and a Sense of Accomplishment

Good morning!

How was your weekend?  Have you started any of the books from last week’s posts?  Or
have you found another one that is helpful?  If so, I’d love to hear what you’ve found.  Anyone who has experienced depression or anxiety doesn’t want anyone else to have to go through that pain.  Sharing a recovery book that you’ve discovered is a way that you can help other depressed readers of this blog.

So….how is your home looking?  Depression really wipes out all motivation, doesn’t it?   Caring for your home is often one of the first things to go.  Unfortunately, living in a dirty or messy environment will make you feel even worse.  There you are, thinking that all of life looks bleak, your home looks like a wreck, and you feel worthless, like a slug.  LET’S CHANGE THAT.  Don’t worry, I’m not going to ask you to scrub your home from top to bottom today.  But I am going to suggest that you spend 15 minutes doing some sort of cleaning.  That could mean scrubbing the sink, cleaning out one of your drawers, or dusting.  It could be that you sweep, vacuum, or mop your kitchen.  Preferably do something that you will notice after you’re done. 

It doesn’t matter if you do all 15 minutes at once or if you divide it up 10-5 or 5-5-5.  That’s up to you.  Even if someone else is in charge of the housekeeping, DO THIS 15 MINUTES YOURSELF.  I know you don’t want to.  You probably don’t feel like doing anything.  But this will help to give you A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT that you need.  Male or female, young or old, do this!

Sometimes we need to baby ourselves when we’re recovering.  Other times we need to push ourselves, and this is one of those times.  YOU CAN DO IT AND WILL FEEL BETTER AFTER IT’S DONE.

FlyLady.net is an excellent resource to help you with your housecleaning.  FlyLady is not a taskmaster, but a gentle encourager.  See if you’re ready for her help.  If not, just focus on 15 minutes per day.  YOU WILL FEEL BETTER.

I’ll be back on Wednesday!

Blessings, Elizabeth

*** If you are new to this blog, it is best to start by reading “About” and the first entry that was posted on May 13, 2013.  Then read each consecutive entry, one per day.  Welcome!