Today, I was feeling pretty low and then something awesome happened. I got a chance to see three of my friends, each at work, doing their thing. Each told me that I looked lousy. Each asked me how I was. One went so far as to ask me repeatedly if I was ok, or maybe sick, or maybe just in need of a vacation. He simply wouldn't let me "get away" with the stat, "I'm fine."
What happened next was awesome. They each helped. Heather, who is a massage therapist worked on my back and wrist and helped take away my pain. But she also made me laugh. We laughed a lot.
At the grocery store, Greg made me laugh too. He mocked my purchases and wouldn't let me leave the store without the flyer's weekly bonus points. It feels great to have a friend who knows me that well and makes the effort to turn my day around.
And Steve took extra special care of a gift, at the print shop on my behalf. The gift recipient will be very pleased. But the bonus gift to me, in this situation, was the few minutes Steve and I talked about how precious children are. He and his lovely wife are expecting a child in mere weeks. And of course I love my kids very much. It was a great conversation and I left feeling good about my family again.
I also learnt a valuable lesson, overall, today. Wear makeup! Apparently, without it I look like hell. Good to know! LOL And if your friends can't tell you that.... get new friends.
Showing posts with label depression. Show all posts
Showing posts with label depression. Show all posts
Friday, January 24, 2014
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Ok, Bell, Let's Do This
#BellLetsTalk
It's a Canadian corporate driven day, initiated by Bell Canada, to talk about mental health issues. For each Facebook share, and tweet with the hashtag BellLetsTalk the company is donating 5 cents. Considering there were over 25 million hits by Noon, this is going to be a big day.
Depression is just one of many mental health issues that plagues "Normal" Canadians. I say, normal, because I believe most everyone understands, feels, or can relate to depression. If we don't battle with it ourselves, we certainly know someone who does.
It comes in varying degrees. People guard it... some better than others. Whether you burst into tears or not, depression affects your health. It also affects your family. It can affect your job, your relationships and your ability to feel whole. With depression, it feels like something is missing. Like you can't muster the strength to compete or fulfill your duties.
I get depressed. I've talked about it a little. I elude to it at other times. I've never sought medical help or have taken medication for it. That makes me "normal" too. Many Canadians, most even, DON'T ever bring it up with their doctor. Rather, we turn to each other. Try to talk it out with friends. We keep busy with activities and we deny that its a problem.
I thought I was pretty good at keeping my emotions in check, until one day my young son said, "I know why daddy let you get the puppy." Surprised, and confused, I pressed for the answer. His reply, "because the puppy will make you get out of bed and do things. You can't just lie around being depressed."
That was a little shocking to hear. And I guess, it's true. The puppy does force me to participate. The puppy takes me for long walks. That helps. The puppy looks at me like I rule the earth... that helps too, I guess. The puppy depends on me. That keeps me going. The puppy is an extension of my family. I am here, and will always be here for my family.
My self-diagnosis is less about depression and more about exhaustion. I work many 70 hour weeks. I don't always eat properly. I don't get enough sunshine or family time. Work keeps me from having a social life. All true, but not excuses. I try to help myself with motivational words, photo reminders of my family. Dressing in bright colours, connecting with the outdoors, travelling, pursuing hobbies, listening to music and getting enough rest... these things all help. But it doesn't solve it. Depression just sits there. It waits for the opportunity to spread. Some days are good. Some days are lousy.
Sometimes it makes me very quiet. I disappear from communication. I hide. I do the minimum required to get through the day. But if anyone needs me, I'll be there. I put others first. I probably alway will. Myself I don't believe I need outside help. This isn't a cry for attention either. I'm just saying... if you feel like this too, it's OK. Depression is just one of many emotions that we share. It makes us human.
Depression isn't about weakness. You can be the best athlete, or scientist or doctor. You could also be a receptionist who greets everyone with a smile, or a television personality. You could also be a child. If depression affected your child, your brother, or your neighbour you would help if you could.
Bell Canada has the right idea. Start talking. If you want to help, don't stop when the answer to "how are you" is Fine or Good. Ask again. Ask, how are you really doing? You might just get a different answer.
------------
#BellLetsTalk has a toolkit. There are resources out there. If you, or anyone you care about is just hanging on by a thread, please throw them a lifeline.
It's a Canadian corporate driven day, initiated by Bell Canada, to talk about mental health issues. For each Facebook share, and tweet with the hashtag BellLetsTalk the company is donating 5 cents. Considering there were over 25 million hits by Noon, this is going to be a big day.
Depression is just one of many mental health issues that plagues "Normal" Canadians. I say, normal, because I believe most everyone understands, feels, or can relate to depression. If we don't battle with it ourselves, we certainly know someone who does.
It comes in varying degrees. People guard it... some better than others. Whether you burst into tears or not, depression affects your health. It also affects your family. It can affect your job, your relationships and your ability to feel whole. With depression, it feels like something is missing. Like you can't muster the strength to compete or fulfill your duties.
I get depressed. I've talked about it a little. I elude to it at other times. I've never sought medical help or have taken medication for it. That makes me "normal" too. Many Canadians, most even, DON'T ever bring it up with their doctor. Rather, we turn to each other. Try to talk it out with friends. We keep busy with activities and we deny that its a problem.
I thought I was pretty good at keeping my emotions in check, until one day my young son said, "I know why daddy let you get the puppy." Surprised, and confused, I pressed for the answer. His reply, "because the puppy will make you get out of bed and do things. You can't just lie around being depressed."
That was a little shocking to hear. And I guess, it's true. The puppy does force me to participate. The puppy takes me for long walks. That helps. The puppy looks at me like I rule the earth... that helps too, I guess. The puppy depends on me. That keeps me going. The puppy is an extension of my family. I am here, and will always be here for my family.
My self-diagnosis is less about depression and more about exhaustion. I work many 70 hour weeks. I don't always eat properly. I don't get enough sunshine or family time. Work keeps me from having a social life. All true, but not excuses. I try to help myself with motivational words, photo reminders of my family. Dressing in bright colours, connecting with the outdoors, travelling, pursuing hobbies, listening to music and getting enough rest... these things all help. But it doesn't solve it. Depression just sits there. It waits for the opportunity to spread. Some days are good. Some days are lousy.
Sometimes it makes me very quiet. I disappear from communication. I hide. I do the minimum required to get through the day. But if anyone needs me, I'll be there. I put others first. I probably alway will. Myself I don't believe I need outside help. This isn't a cry for attention either. I'm just saying... if you feel like this too, it's OK. Depression is just one of many emotions that we share. It makes us human.
Depression isn't about weakness. You can be the best athlete, or scientist or doctor. You could also be a receptionist who greets everyone with a smile, or a television personality. You could also be a child. If depression affected your child, your brother, or your neighbour you would help if you could.
Bell Canada has the right idea. Start talking. If you want to help, don't stop when the answer to "how are you" is Fine or Good. Ask again. Ask, how are you really doing? You might just get a different answer.
------------
#BellLetsTalk has a toolkit. There are resources out there. If you, or anyone you care about is just hanging on by a thread, please throw them a lifeline.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
End of January
Well, I guess that's it eh? We've made it through January. Hallelujah!
Superbowl time and Valentine's around the corner. One event I look forward to, the other I don't.
January is a ridiculously challenging month. It's cold. It's depressing. Bills are on the table and the produce in the fridge tastes like plastic. Ever eat a strawberry in January? Yuck. Don't bother.
I guess I should look forward to planting a garden and eating real fruit and vegetables again, but that's going to take another 6 months. There was a time that each January I would look forward to the seed catalogues and even start my own plants. I always found petunia seeds frustrating... so small, so fussy and so incredibly long a process to start them yourself. I guess that's why I don't do it anymore. That, and you can buy a 6 pack of petunias on any corner stand for $2, when May rolls around.
Tomatoes... that's a better use of energy. You only have to start them 10 weeks ahead of time and even a couple plants can give you a garden full of fresh tomatoes. I start them myself (or I did) because I like off beat varieties like Lemon Boy and Cherokee Purple, things you don't find at the Home Depot.
Gardening used to really be my thing. Heck, I used to write a gardening column for the newspaper. And then, I had kids. And then they took all my time and energy. Now they use that time and energy to support their hobbies. Mine are just a memory. I guess you could say my hobby now is writing. Travel isn't a hobby... it's what saves my sanity.
So anyway, good riddens to January. And, go 9ers!
Superbowl time and Valentine's around the corner. One event I look forward to, the other I don't.
January is a ridiculously challenging month. It's cold. It's depressing. Bills are on the table and the produce in the fridge tastes like plastic. Ever eat a strawberry in January? Yuck. Don't bother.
I guess I should look forward to planting a garden and eating real fruit and vegetables again, but that's going to take another 6 months. There was a time that each January I would look forward to the seed catalogues and even start my own plants. I always found petunia seeds frustrating... so small, so fussy and so incredibly long a process to start them yourself. I guess that's why I don't do it anymore. That, and you can buy a 6 pack of petunias on any corner stand for $2, when May rolls around.
Tomatoes... that's a better use of energy. You only have to start them 10 weeks ahead of time and even a couple plants can give you a garden full of fresh tomatoes. I start them myself (or I did) because I like off beat varieties like Lemon Boy and Cherokee Purple, things you don't find at the Home Depot.
Gardening used to really be my thing. Heck, I used to write a gardening column for the newspaper. And then, I had kids. And then they took all my time and energy. Now they use that time and energy to support their hobbies. Mine are just a memory. I guess you could say my hobby now is writing. Travel isn't a hobby... it's what saves my sanity.
So anyway, good riddens to January. And, go 9ers!
Friday, February 11, 2011
The wind in my face
It's Canada. It's cold. We're the only people who understand "windchill". Try going go Florida, or California or Alabama and saying, "ok, so it's 18 today, but what's that with the windchill?" You'll get the look and probably giggle inside until you crack a smile.
Lately, the weather here has been a bitter, blinding, nasty wind. It has been anything but good. How on earth can it be -12C out, but -37C with the windchill. No wonder people are in a bad mood. It's tough to go out. It's tough to do anything.
But then, today, the blustery "in your face" wind was warm. Oh my gosh, it was actually refreshing. I didn't have to grit my teeth and push forward into it to make progress. I could walk, hold my head up and go forward without a struggle. I sure hope it's a metaphor for life. I could use the break. What if... what if... there was less resistance. What if.... each day wasn't such a struggle? What if it wasn't uphill both ways and -40C?
Lately, the weather here has been a bitter, blinding, nasty wind. It has been anything but good. How on earth can it be -12C out, but -37C with the windchill. No wonder people are in a bad mood. It's tough to go out. It's tough to do anything.
But then, today, the blustery "in your face" wind was warm. Oh my gosh, it was actually refreshing. I didn't have to grit my teeth and push forward into it to make progress. I could walk, hold my head up and go forward without a struggle. I sure hope it's a metaphor for life. I could use the break. What if... what if... there was less resistance. What if.... each day wasn't such a struggle? What if it wasn't uphill both ways and -40C?
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