What to do First?

When I begin to feel good after a depressive episode, I want to do EVERYTHING I haven't been doing for awhile. But I can't. I have to take it slowly, and pace myself, which is the last thing I want to do.

So I begin with a wee bit of housework. Just enough to make things nice around the house. Then I will go for a walk. Walking is high in my list of favourites. I usually walk when I feel bad too, but I don't enjoy it so much. I might even walk twice in a day when I feel well.

I eat properly. I don't want anything to steal my joy and I try to stay away from sugars and fats, things that will (literally) weigh me down and challenge my body's ability to feel good.

I visit. Not everybody, but I visit somebody. Usually my daughters and grandchildren. I don't see anyone when I'm down and so as soon as I'm up I want to see everyone. But whether I feel good or bad, people tire me out, so I have to be selective.

I do stuff with my husband. I spend no time at all with him when I am down and he is patient and tolerant and understanding but when I feel better I like to plan something for us to do together.

I write, and I enjoy it. I may write for hours and hours, never running out of ideas.

I enjoy scenery. The sky is bluer and the grass is greener when you are not depressed.

I pray. I can actually concentrate on praying when I feel well. Depression is the one illness that affects your spiritual life because you can't think. It feels good to talk to God again. I miss him when I am depressed.

I live a broken life. Now you see me, now you don't. But I do like to make up for lost time when I am well again.

That is what I am doing today, being well again. I am celebrating life. Life goes on with or without me, but I am so thankful that today I can be part of it.

May dipsy doodling around depression
be better than a therapy session!

Don't give up,
I'm praying for you!
Wendy Love