#mentalhealthawarenessmonth day 21
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“This too shall pass” is about as cliche a saying as there is. Often it’s thrown at those of us with mental health issues by people who don’t have one. It’s one of those biblical sounding, easy advice nuggets when someone is annoyed or has no idea what else to say. It can be the most annoying four words that can be said when in the midst of an low point or an episode. Even from the most well intentioned person, it’s often enough to set you off. The reason is, rationally we know that, we aren’t idiots, it’s just in the moment when the illness grips us, it’s all there is, just right now.
So, when we are in these places of depression, anxiety or panic, it’s most important to worry about right now, focus on our breathing, live moment to moment, because the future doesn’t matter until we are out of this place. When the walls close on and the light goes dim, our reasoning is replaced by fight or flight, it’s survival. We may talk or act as if it’s the end of that we are stuck in this place forever, but we know in our rational mind, it’s not. It will be okay once the storm passes, but for now it’s just about surviving and it’s really a solo mission, until we can see past the clouds.
The help offered is appreciated, but there’s a time and a place. If it’s not asked for, don’t offer it and if it is, know that compassion and empathy are much better than cliches.
When the storm clears, is the best time to give comfort, not to remind us that you told us so. Like I said, we know it’s temporary but it isn’t that simple, especially in the midst of it. Being right and being good, is the part you have to weigh. Either way, we are going through it and 9/10, we aren’t going to be able to listen that well anyway. We are focused on ourselves, our breathing and our survival. Thankfully, for me, I have professional to turn to, that help me talk through it and encourage me. I also have a community of people who suffer from the same stuff to talk too. And art, that is my refuge. This too shall pass, but it might not be that easy. #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #mentalillness #hope #healing #help #empathy #care
#mentalhealthawarenessmonth Day 20
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Hope is a word that is thrown around a lot but to those of us with mental illness and addiction it’s essential to our survival. It is also a word that can annoy our suck minds, because hope is what keeps us fighting the illness. Whether it’s depression, anxiety, or addiction, our brains tell us “Give up! Give in!” so even a little flicker of hopes light can be enough. In the darkest times of my life, when I stared death in the face, that annoying little bastard named hope, was who got me off the ledge. It wasn’t all the advice, memes, well wishes, or even thoughts & prayers. It was that will to live, to fight, and to go one more day, even if it was just a whisper, it kept me here. For many that hope runs out or is lost in the darkness. That is how these illnesses win, so it’s hope that is often all we have left. We may have a lot of love, support, help, and care, but without hope we have nothing, it’s the mysterious energy that lives in us all, but for those of us who live in darkness much of the time, it’s the most powerful tool we possess. Whether it’s one day at a time for my alcoholism& addiction or a faint light in my mental dark, hope is that force that drives me. I once wrote “I’d Drown Myself But Hope Floats!” and I still believe that! Find your hope, talk about your dark, get help when you can, and stay here! #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmonth #mentalillness #depression #addiction #alcoholism #recovery #hope #anxiety
#mentalhealthawarenessmonth Day 19
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Listen to your body and have grace for your mental state. If you’re tired, it’s okay, just be tired. If you’re sad, be sad, and whether or not it’s rational, it’s where you are. Depression can come on for a number of reasons or none at all. That is just the way it works but if you’re depressed, it’s okay, do the things you need to in order to feel better but until you do, you don’t have to feel better. How we are feeling is valid, always, regardless of how it makes others react. Many times, we can’t control that anyway, so we can’t just stop being mentally ill to make others happy. If we are taking the steps to get well, like therapy, meds, talking, sleeping, exercising or whatever, we are doing all we can. There is no magic cure for this stuff and what we need is support not shame, that will only further our decline into darkness and cause us to disassociate more than we already do. Be supportive and give space, for breathing and for healing, but most all, be aware that everyone has bad days and some of us have them a lot. Keep healing, my friends. #mentalhealth #mentalillness #depression #tired #ptsd #recovery #anxiety #sad #therapy #wellness
