Living with long term depression
Follow my blog with BloglovinI think I have mentioned before that I have suffered from depression since I was in my second year at university. At times it has been really really bad but at other times I am completely happy and content with my life. I have to admit, that during the past few weeks I have been struggling a little. This is my fault!
When you've suffered from depression for a long time (and I am sure this is the same for any illness) you have to be very conscious of your actions in life. There are questions I need to ask myself on a regular basis; these are questions about my physical and my emotional state!
- Am I getting enough sleep?
- Am I exercising regularly?
- Am I eating healthily?
- Am I getting enough fresh air?
- Am I looking to others to give me self-esteem?
- Am I worried I'm missing out on things?
- Am I getting less tolerant of others?
- Am I trying to be perfect at everything?
- Am I comparing myself to other people?
In the past, the answers to those questions have meant that I was very ill. At the moment, they just mean that I need to look after myself better and am a little fragile.
At the grand old age of 35 (gasp!!!) I have been living on the long and winding road of a life with depression for a good number of years and I know the signs that I'm getting low and I know what I can do to help myself. But helping myself is really all about will-power.
It is about growing my self-esteem and trying to feel happy in my own skin. It is about not comparing myself and my life to other people. It is about allowing myself to be human and make mistakes.
It is about growing my self-esteem and trying to feel happy in my own skin. It is about not comparing myself and my life to other people. It is about allowing myself to be human and make mistakes.
It is about realising that the world won't end if I go to bed. I don't need to stay up past 02.00 a.m. buying Christmas presents for Little Miss H on the Mothercare website (yes, I'm ashamed to say that was me last Saturday)! It is
about making myself take Little Miss H for a walk even though I would
prefer to curl up on the sofa with her and take a nap. It is about
exercising when it is the last thing I feel like doing. It is about eating a banana rather than the largest chocolate bar made by Cadbury's.
It is about putting on a dress and some make-up. Even if I would love to slob around in my 17 year old hoodie and a pair of leggings.
It is about putting on a dress and some make-up. Even if I would love to slob around in my 17 year old hoodie and a pair of leggings.
So tomorrow I need to start looking after myself and stop being a silly Mrs H. Thankfully I've done it before and I know I can do it again. Wish me luck!
Hugs
Mrs H
xxxx
xxxx
I know I am commenting on #ArchiveDay, so things have probably changed - as they do, whether we fix our "faults" or not. But support is always worth having on this journey. And been there, done that, have the t-shirt. Luck, and love, from one of the 1 in 4.
ReplyDeleteHello Paula. Thank you for your lovely comment and for coming to visit my little blog. Sadly I'm always going to have depression. That is just a fact of life. But I can manage it and look after myself properly and that helps. I hope you are well and that the t-shirt is currently in storage.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Mrs H
xxxx
Above all else be kind to yourself. X
ReplyDeletePS. A 30 second dance party can do a lot of good for the soul too...
Hi Ashley. Thanks for your lovely comment. Being kind to myself is very important. It is so easy to see all the things that go wrong and forget about all the wonderful quirks of life. That is why I began this blog to remind myself of what makes me smile. I hope it makes others smile too.
DeleteHugs
Mrs H
xxxx
PS I love a 30 second dance party. Putting the radio on and dancing like an idiot is such good therapy. My daughter loves it too and always giggles hysterically at her odd mummy. xx