- You Are Not Alone (with Depression & Anxiety)
- Depression Does Not Define You
- What Does Depression Look Like?
- 10 Encouraging Bible Verses to Ease Depression
- Navigating Tough Parenting of Teens: When Your Daughter Wants to Dye Her Hair Blue
- How to Manage Depression and Chronic Pain
- Truths About Depression: Stuff You Don’t Want to Hear
- I Got Punched in the Face This Weekend
- Straight Talk About How to Survive Heartbreaking Grief
- For a Day When You Need Motivation
- Sometimes Grief Comes From Unexpected Places
- For Parents of a Teen Who Had a Near Miss
- 10 Simple Ways to Bring Creativity to Your Life
- A Depression Solution: Speak!
- Q & A with a Therapist about Depression
- 4 Realistic Steps to Motivation When You Are Depressed {Based on Research!)
- 101 Ways to Get in a Good Mood When Depressed
- Is it Okay to Avoid Pain?
- How Can I Serve If I’m Depressed?
- Do You Have Angry Depression?
- A Room Full of Love: Thoughts After a Loved One’s Suicide
- Top 5 Offbeat I’m Depressed and Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now Movies
- What You Need to Know about Postpartum Depression
- Why You Need More Mental Flexibility
- How To Stop Stress Eating
- How to Exercise When You Don’t Feel Like It – 10 Workout Motivation Tips
- A Cure for Panic Attacks: The Potato Chip Method
- Can’t Sleep? Read This at 3:00 AM (When Depression Causes Insomnia)
- Secondary Traumatic Stress: How I Found Healing
- You Were Set Free For a Reason: A Daily Devotion about Freedom in Christ
- If You Write, Please Read This. (Plus, a FREE GIFT for All!)
I am the type of person who has a strong drive to get things done. I’m most happy when I’m working toward some goal or next big thing.
Mostly, I’m not depressed. Sometimes I am sad or grieving. At a few key points in my life I’ve gone into periods of depression. Once I had a more serious depressive time of postpartum depression where I also had panic attacks.
I’ve had times when I couldn’t get out of bed for several days. A few times it was enough to scare me. A lot.
Most of the time, though, I don’t feel like this at all. I feel really good. Fantastic, even.
Depression and Sadness presents itself in a variety of forms. This optimistic drive of mine can be both a positive and a negative.
Some people’s natural speed for life is set fairly slow. During times of sadness, they may peter off into the depressed ditch.
Some of us drive high on the highway of life until we burn out. We may be the givers, who give and give and never take care of ourselves. We tend to crash hard and fall fast.
Most of us fall somewhere in the middle of those extremes, of course.
How about you? What is your life speed? What happens when you get sad or depression comes?
Recognition is important. Now that I’m aware of my patterns, I’m able to catch myself much sooner and get the help I need more quickly.
The Hope Toolbox
Today’s Bible Memory Verse:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2
Journaling Prompt:
Use My Hope Toolbox Printable Kit or a journal of your own.
What is your life speed? How does depression or sadness come upon you? How do you react when it does?
Resources
Melinda Todd: 31 Days of Depression
Espressos of Faith: Why My Child is Sad, and Why He Isn’t
Tara Ulrich: Living as a Daughter: 31 Days of Mental Illness
Blogging Astrid — This is a different and interesting blog to check out. She is legally blind, autistic, has mental health issues, lives in a mental institution, is a psychology student, and blogs about it.
Have you downloaded My Hope Toolbox Printable Kit? Here are sample completed pages:
My Hope Toolbox Printable Kit. Sample pages created by Cat Riggy.
Hope Toolbox Printable Kit. Sample Pages by Cat Riggy.
Note: I am not a therapist, doctor, or expert. Please see your doctor for help specific to you.
- You Are Not Alone
- Depression Does Not Define You
- What Does Depression Look Like?
- 10 Encouraging Bible Verses to Ease Depression
- When Your Daughter Wants to Dye Her Hair Blue
- How to Manage Depression and Chronic Pain
- Truths About Depression: Stuff You Don’t Want to Hear
- I Got Punched in the Face This Weekend
- Straight Talk About How to Survive Heartbreaking Grief
- For a Day When You Need Motivation
- Sometimes Grief Comes From Unexpected Places
- For Parents of a Teen Who Had a Near Miss
- 10 Simple Ways to Bring Creativity to Your Life
- A Depression Solution: Speak!
- Q & A with a Therapist about Depression
- Research Shows 4 Keys to Motivation When You Are Depressed
- 101 Ways to Boost Your Mood Immediately
- Is it Okay to Avoid Pain?
- How Can I Serve If I’m Depressed?
- Do You Have Angry Depression?
- A Room Full of Love: Thoughts After a Loved One’s Suicide
- Top 5 Offbeat I’m Depressed and Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now Movies
- What You Need to Know about Postpartum Depression
- Why You Need More Mental Flexibility
- How to Eat Healthy When You Don’t Feel Like It
- How to Exercise When You Don’t Feel Like It
- A Cure for Panic Attacks: The Potato Chip Method
- Can’t Sleep? Read This at 3:00 AM
- Do You Have Secondary Traumatic Stress?
- You Were Set Free For a Reason
- If You Write, Please Read This. (Plus, a FREE GIFT for All!)
My ‘life speed’ is pretty fast ;). I did have a depressive episode after Pedro started healing from cancer (go figure–you’d think I would be happy)–I’m pretty sure it was my body and mind trying to catch up to all that had gone on over the course of the cancer year. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that I was depressed–otherwise, I could have gotten help and recovered so much more quickly. So, even if you AREN’T depressed, it’s a good idea to learn about depression and the indicators so that if you do become depressed, you’ll recognize that you have a problem that requires help!
I hear you. My life speed is fast, too. I love to go, get things done, and power on. This is good, but sometimes it’s too much and I crash and burn. It actually makes TOTAL sense to me that you would feel a depression in the “after” of relief. I could see myself doing the exact same thing if I were in your situation. Thank you for sharing.
I thought I commented but it doesn’t seem to be showing up. Thanks for featuring the link to my 2014 series.
Thank you for including the link to my 2014 Write 31 Days series. I pray it blesses your readers.
I’m glad to include a link to your series, and your comment is here!
I have an introspective personality that has tended toward depression during different stages of life, and I’ve learned several ways to deal with it. My last bout was when two of my kids left home last year and I had only one left (out of four). I sunk deep down, didn’t enjoy anything, didn’t want to get up in the morning, didn’t look forward to anything.
But, I discovered Ann Voskamp’s 1,000 Gifts, read it, and took up the challenge. The thankfulness challenge gradually brought me back out of the pit. Then I finally said yes to the Lord for what he’d been asking me the past 3 years – I got serious about blogging and helping moms. Once I said yes and began packing the Scripture memorization, the crazy train turned around and things have been better ever since!
Thanks for your sharing your thoughts and joining my board! 🙂
Thanks for your comment and sharing what was helpful for you. Studies have shown that gratitude improves depression, and that makes so much sense in what you are describing. And of course we know over and above any study, God works miracles in our hearts and minds with His word and power! Blessings on your journey.