Archive for the 'Hope' category

Depression recovery and signs of progress. (“Light at the end of the tunnel” by Paul Brook.)

Oct 23 2012 Published by under Determination, Hope, Inspiration

So, you’ve opened this blog post and found a rather poor photograph and half a page of solid, black nothingness. There is a point to this, and it’s about finding the light at the end of a long, black tunnel. Allow me to explain.

I was in my home city of York, stuck in traffic and feeling sorry for myself. I’d just had the latest of three disappointments in as many weeks and was wondering if I could pick myself up enough to be a cheery presence at the leaving do I was on my way to.

Pondering these rather gloomy, negative thoughts and staring straight ahead at the back of a car I’d been looking at for nearly half an hour, I suddenly realised I was beneath an arch – Micklegate Bar – and there was literally light at the end of the tunnel. The unexciting image you can see above is that light.

I scrambled for my phone in an attempt to take a photo before the traffic began to move. I must have lurched as I took the photo, and found I’d taken a blurred, wonky photo of a ‘keep left’ sign. I tried again, and the traffic lights obligingly stayed red, as you can see from the resulting image.

The view you’ve just been looking at inspired me. I know it doesn’t look very inspiring, but to me it was a revelation and it changed my mood completely.  Continue Reading »

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Depression 101: Depressed as hell. The end. Or is it?

Oct 09 2012 Published by under Change, Choice, Hope

Imagine yourself back at school. Today you are having your final exam in the subject ‘Depression 101’.

You studied depression very well throughout the academic year. You were literally living, sleeping, breathing it 24/7. You were an A* pupil, and your teacher, Mr. Pain, was always admiring and complimenting your homework.

Now, all that is left is for you to prove you were really doing all your practical assignments by yourself and that your deep knowledge of this subject is your real mastery.

You sit down behind a small desk. You feel comfortable and confident.

You fill in your name.

You are not worried. You know your subject. It will be over in 1 hour or as soon as you put down your 2000 words (whatever comes first).

The exam clock starts ticking. You compose yourself and turn the page over…

Your eyes scan the three possible choices:  Continue Reading »

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What can you do about depression just before Christmas and the New Year?

Dec 18 2011 Published by under Action, Attitude, Hope

The year is almost over. Christmas is just round the corner. The festive spirit is in the air: music, decorations, gifts, parties, great food, holidays, etc.

But…

How do you feel in the midst of these December festivities? Stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, fearful, isolated, powerless, useless, lonely and desperate, exhausted, or full of guilt and resentment?

What can you do to stop feeling that way?

You can do ‘I CAN DO’. This is the chosen attitude that despite feeling depressed, you embrace the approaching winter holidays with some planning, and most importantly, commit to do the things on your list.

So, here are an examples of ‘I CAN DO’ behaviours, as well as tasks and projects to try out this December:

Continue Reading »

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What kept Robinson Crusoe going and what would help you to get better?

Feb 01 2010 Published by under Change, Hope, Inspiration

Today is Robinson Crusoe’s Day!

Years and years ago, while in my teens, I read this wonderful novel by Daniel Defoe and admired his character’s determination and resourcefulness. 28 years of being a castaway trapped on an island!

Being depressed often feels like you have been kicked out of society. You are struggling and surviving on your own, day in, day out. The pain and suffering of being lonely is immense. The trust and hope that someone will come to your rescue is fading away with each day.

What kept Robinson Crusoe going? How did he manage to find the strength for over a quarter of a century?

Whether we are castaway on an island or feeling trapped in a cycle of depression, we have the same innate resources available to any human being:

1. We have a very powerful imagination, therefore we can create hopes and keep them going.

2. We have an ability to learn and remember, therefore we can acquire and employ new knowledge and skills.

3. We have an ability to analyse what’s working and what is not, therefore we can solve problems and find solutions.

4. We have an ability to plan and examine our plans objectively.

5. We have an ability to adapt if things are not working, therefore we are not wasting our creativity and efforts away.

6. We have an ability to connect with others.

 

Regardless of how you are feeling right now, all these wonderful resources are within you!

 

Happy Robinson Crusoe Day!

 

Other articles you might want to read:

5 Great Reasons To Smile a lot and often

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