There is a trap that I fall into far too often. I actually don't think I realized it until just recently! I exaggerate problems until they are all out of proportion. My mom used to tell me to stop making mountains out of molehills and I didn't understand. It made me mad that she wouldn't take me seriously when I was terrified of something. I didn't realize that I was borrowing trouble. I was convinced a certain situation would just get worse and worse before anything would actually happen!
I still do this. I blow things all out of proportion before I even have all of the facts. I assume the very worst will happen. Now, however, if I notice myself doing this, I try to take a breath and tell myself to calm down and just see what is going to happen. I need to let the situation play out and work to change my way of thinking. By doing this it will reduce my stress level.
If you struggle with depression and anxiety, I ask you to be aware of how you approach a stressful situation. Try to not get all tied up in knots before you even have a clue how things will turn out! It will help.
Friday, October 9, 2015
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Imaginary World
I have never told anyone about my imaginary world. I think I knew that I was treading on questionable ground, and I didn't want anyone to think I was absolutely crazy. Since this blog is for me to be honest with myself, I will dip into this forbidden territory and tell a little about it.
It started when I was fairly young and in school. I hated school. I didn't mind the actual school assignments (except math, I struggled HARD at that), but I was terrified all of the time. I am not and never have been overly intelligent, and I am not even close to what you would call pretty. Kids being kids, I was teased and made fun of a lot. In other words, I was bullied and on a daily basis.
I loved to read, and I discovered The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings early on. I know that is where I got the idea about being an other-worldly type of person. I started out in my pretend world being an elf. I would imagine being in a whole different world; a world of beauty and a simpler way of life. I was mysterious, but I was a hero. I excelled at saving people from the nasty orcs and goblins. I was wise and gave out wonderful advice.
Over the years, that character has developed into something more. He (yes, my make believe self is male) became not an elf, but the son of a great king from another dimension. His race closely resembles the elves, so he was raised with them and could pass as one. He was sent to this other world on a very specific mission. I have most of the details of it in my head, but it would involve me writing an actual book to put it all on paper.
I used to retreat to this world when life was too much for me to handle. Even while at work, I would suddenly realize where I was and that time had passed and I was just sitting at my desk, in a daze. I had been lost in my world. It sometimes scared me because my other world seemed so real and I hated it when I had to come back to my actual reality. So, I learned to control it. I didn't want anyone to notice.
After I met my husband, I gave up that world for a time. Life was very busy, and I was much happier and it kept me in the real world. I had three children, and even though that life was stressful at times, I kept grounded. When my husband and eldest son were killed in an auto accident, my entire world crashed. I became lost in my other world more and more often. I finally quit working altogether. I still had two children to raise, but it was so hard. I know they have suffered for my terrible mistakes and my inability to keep working for almost two years after the accident. We were so broke, and things were very hard.
I was finally able to gain some control and I did go back to work. I still use my imaginary world to help me go to sleep. I imagine being this person (he has a name, but I don't want to share it yet) and this person is so wonderful! I picture him wandering the beautiful forests of my own world, and helping to keep it safe. It helps me fall to sleep. It gives me some comfort that my world is right there if I need it again.
I have considered writing a book about his story. If I had any talent at all, I think it would actually make a decent fantasy novel. If I do give it a try, I better get started! I am not getting any younger.
It started when I was fairly young and in school. I hated school. I didn't mind the actual school assignments (except math, I struggled HARD at that), but I was terrified all of the time. I am not and never have been overly intelligent, and I am not even close to what you would call pretty. Kids being kids, I was teased and made fun of a lot. In other words, I was bullied and on a daily basis.
I loved to read, and I discovered The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings early on. I know that is where I got the idea about being an other-worldly type of person. I started out in my pretend world being an elf. I would imagine being in a whole different world; a world of beauty and a simpler way of life. I was mysterious, but I was a hero. I excelled at saving people from the nasty orcs and goblins. I was wise and gave out wonderful advice.
Over the years, that character has developed into something more. He (yes, my make believe self is male) became not an elf, but the son of a great king from another dimension. His race closely resembles the elves, so he was raised with them and could pass as one. He was sent to this other world on a very specific mission. I have most of the details of it in my head, but it would involve me writing an actual book to put it all on paper.
I used to retreat to this world when life was too much for me to handle. Even while at work, I would suddenly realize where I was and that time had passed and I was just sitting at my desk, in a daze. I had been lost in my world. It sometimes scared me because my other world seemed so real and I hated it when I had to come back to my actual reality. So, I learned to control it. I didn't want anyone to notice.
After I met my husband, I gave up that world for a time. Life was very busy, and I was much happier and it kept me in the real world. I had three children, and even though that life was stressful at times, I kept grounded. When my husband and eldest son were killed in an auto accident, my entire world crashed. I became lost in my other world more and more often. I finally quit working altogether. I still had two children to raise, but it was so hard. I know they have suffered for my terrible mistakes and my inability to keep working for almost two years after the accident. We were so broke, and things were very hard.
I was finally able to gain some control and I did go back to work. I still use my imaginary world to help me go to sleep. I imagine being this person (he has a name, but I don't want to share it yet) and this person is so wonderful! I picture him wandering the beautiful forests of my own world, and helping to keep it safe. It helps me fall to sleep. It gives me some comfort that my world is right there if I need it again.
I have considered writing a book about his story. If I had any talent at all, I think it would actually make a decent fantasy novel. If I do give it a try, I better get started! I am not getting any younger.
Taming Your Mind
Who knows what starts or causes depression. I think it can be different for everyone. I can't remember a time that I did not feel emotionless or hopeless, at least to some extent. Sometimes, I do feel very sad as well, but depression is not always about being sad.
I have been finding interesting articles and opinions on the subject. I think they have helped me to understand better than the doctors did! All they wanted me to do was take pills and try to live stress free. Well, good luck on that. I don't know a single person who doesn't have stress! Life is stressful!
What I became interested in is what processes your brain goes through when you are feeling hopeless, or sad, or dwelling on bad thoughts. It seems it is agreed that this causes a very bad downward spiral that is not so easy to get out of.
I very much liked this article. http://bpdfamily.com/bpdresources/nk_a112.htm
Also, as much as I hate to admit it, I probably make myself worse my suppressing happiness. After years of feeling the way I do, I tend to be astounded if I have a time where I laugh easily. I almost feel guilty as if I am cheating on myself. That sounds ridiculous, even to me, but there it is.
I am going to try to surround myself with more positive people and situations. I tend to spend all of my time off in my room alone. I feel frantic to make sure I rest and relax as much as I can before I have to go back to work as I am always exhausted. What I am finding is that my life is just sliding away and I am wasting it.
So, I am going to attempt to get involved in my life more, and I am going to find things that make me smile and do more of that! Even if depression is an illness you are born with and you have the chemical imbalances, I think you can help adjust them by doing things you enjoy.
I will post my progress.
I have been finding interesting articles and opinions on the subject. I think they have helped me to understand better than the doctors did! All they wanted me to do was take pills and try to live stress free. Well, good luck on that. I don't know a single person who doesn't have stress! Life is stressful!
What I became interested in is what processes your brain goes through when you are feeling hopeless, or sad, or dwelling on bad thoughts. It seems it is agreed that this causes a very bad downward spiral that is not so easy to get out of.
I very much liked this article. http://bpdfamily.com/bpdresources/nk_a112.htm
Also, as much as I hate to admit it, I probably make myself worse my suppressing happiness. After years of feeling the way I do, I tend to be astounded if I have a time where I laugh easily. I almost feel guilty as if I am cheating on myself. That sounds ridiculous, even to me, but there it is.
I am going to try to surround myself with more positive people and situations. I tend to spend all of my time off in my room alone. I feel frantic to make sure I rest and relax as much as I can before I have to go back to work as I am always exhausted. What I am finding is that my life is just sliding away and I am wasting it.
So, I am going to attempt to get involved in my life more, and I am going to find things that make me smile and do more of that! Even if depression is an illness you are born with and you have the chemical imbalances, I think you can help adjust them by doing things you enjoy.
I will post my progress.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Getting On My Own Nerves
I love the wititudes.com site! I have to admit that I do like that kind of humor.
I have decided that even though this blog is for me to write the sad out, I need to accept and admit that being depressed isn't all of who/what I am! I want to share other things as well. I want to add bright spots to the gloom.
I saw this and just had to share it. I can very much relate to this! I do get on my own nerves at time.
I have decided that even though this blog is for me to write the sad out, I need to accept and admit that being depressed isn't all of who/what I am! I want to share other things as well. I want to add bright spots to the gloom.
I saw this and just had to share it. I can very much relate to this! I do get on my own nerves at time.
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