Depression – Lifelong Companion
Criss Jami
Depression is a lifelong companion to many of us. There were times when being in that hopeless state itself gave me a sense of peace. Facing the next day was a huge burden, living the next moment was suffocating and looking around to find my friends helping was dismaying.
The utter hopelessness when you hit rock bottom in your life is quite an interesting feeling I must say! That’s when you start giving up on life. Because you feel that giving up is all you can do then.
When I lost the two jobs I got selected in because of some circumstances, didn’t have a way to understand how to deal with future, I was utterly depressed with every event in my life. Felt as if everything around is squeezing the life out of me little by little.
Vulnerability became my second nature. I didn’t realise but I started alienating myself from everyone and everything. Sometimes we don’t realise but we go so deep into depression that we become addicted to it. As is the case with any addiction, it is difficult to come out of it. No one can help you, if you don’t want to be helped!
First step in coming out of it is realising the big picture. Asking questions, whether addiction is normal? Are we making others around us sad too? Why not climb up since we are at the bottom anyway?
The addiction for depression eventually led us to a state where we find we are alone, and as humans, we are social creatures! Now that we are prepared to take the first step, what should we do? How should we tackle our depression? Re-evaluating ourselves is never an easy task, but no one said life is easy!
I tried to read how to overcome it without being a burden to my family and friends. Doctors suggest many ways to overcome depression. Some are: turn to family members or trusted friends, go out with positive people, get some sunlight and exercise, eat a healthy diet and get enough sleep, etc.
The above mentioned might be easy for some and hard for others. Everyone has different situations to deal with.
Anger is the first thing we need to control, after which we can adopt any method convenient to us for improving ourselves.
Take matters in your hands. Think how you can overcome those while making your outlook towards life better. Here are few tips to get started:
1. Keep yourself engaged with what interests you: Writing, painting, knitting, reading, dancing, etc.
Take out time from your busy schedule to pursue your hobbies. Creating and learning something beautiful always leaves you with confidence and sense of achievement.
I started writing on any topic, for example this article. People around me started giving me compliments, which helped me to build my morale.
“Persistence. Perfection. Patience. Power. Prioritize your passion. It keeps you sane.” ― Criss Jami
2. Make new friends: May be you have trust issues. Why not go to chat-sites online and meet different people. Be careful to whom you are providing your personal details though.
But most of the times, you end up making friends from different areas of interests. This will help you see life from different angles and broadens your sense of understanding. You might find people who have been in similar state and would help you to overcome.
Since they are strangers, you need not fear them judging you. With time you will build up your confidence to stand up with your head held high and ready to face the world.
I am lucky to find good people online when I started out to make new friends. They not only helped me in coming out of my depressed state but also encouraged me to see the world in a new light. Met few who had experiences which resembled mine and they told me with confidence that life is not so dire!
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one” – C.S. Lewis
3. Explore your city: It may sound weird, but get on any bus and take a ticket to the last stop. You never know what will intrigue you along the journey. If possible, travel in train (short or long journeys); find out new places to see.
Different life styles will keep you entertained in life. Realising that life is worthwhile is all that is needed in having a positive outlook towards anything.
“Through travel I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it.” – Eudora Welty
4. Connect to your parents: Talk to your folks about what is on your mind. This sounds difficult and they might not understand it. At least assure them that you are doing fine.
There is no point in letting your depression on to them! Everyone in your life will have someone else they can look to and talk to. But parents usually, depend mostly on their children. So, don’t alienate them from your life. Take your time, tell them you need it, and then when you bounce back, talk to them.
This is not an extensive list. You can mould it to your liking and comfort. Just remember taking time to come to terms with life is not wrong. The life is yours to live. So, live it freely, peacefully and openly. Never let anyone talk you into anything you are not ready or comfortable. At the end of the day, you should not have any regrets with your life.
All the best to you all!!! Be HAPPY!!
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