Today is Sylvester Stallone’s birthday. Rocky’s star turns 66! On behalf of the Lift My Depression community, I would like to wish him many happy returns!
Now, why Stallone and depression you might wonder?
Well, here is what he said about depression in his CNN interview from May 14th, 2005: Continue Reading »
In my previous post, I promised to illustrate the importance of planning your day.
So, here it is:
Let me introduce a fictional character called Maggie. She is suffering with depression. She is in her mid-thirties, married to James and has an 8 years-old son Dillon. Maggie is a housewife, as she does not feel she is fit to go back to work since having her first episode of depression 6 years ago. She still drives and sees her old school friend Sally on occasion.
Take 1
Maggie’s alarm clock rings at 7:30am. She remembers the first item on her ‘To Do’ list:
“GET UP at 7:30”. Even though she does not feel like getting up and is feeling totally exhausted, she drags herself into the bathroom and starts her morning routine. Despite her aching body and low mood, she dresses up and enters the kitchen.
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!
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