Do something you love....every day

I have depression. I don't normally start conversations or posts off with that information. It makes people uncomfortable. (Rightfully so. It's an awkward conversation starter) However, I have found that sometimes, it's just best to put the truth out there. I was diagnosed with it about a year after my son was born, but I know that it's something I have had all of my life. 


I don't take medication any more for it. I probably should, but the side effects are sometimes so much worse. I have chosen to try to manage it without chemicals. Choosing this route, though, can lead to some dark days. I knew that I needed to figure out something to help get myself through those bad days.


Recently, I was having a conversation with a friend who also suffers from depression. During the course of the talk, I started describing to her something that I had started doing to deal with the rough times that I hadn't really even realized that I had started doing. I told her that i started doing something that I love...every single day.


I guess it began when on my recent vacation. I decided that my vacation was only going to be full of the things I actually wanted to do. My expectations, my dreams, my wants. Sounds selfish, right? But for this depressed, over achieving people pleaser it sounded like heaven. And that's what I did. Mr Thrifty and I spent our vacation reading, beaching, thrifting, creating, shopping, eating, etc. It was wonderful. In fact, I had done everything that I wanted to do with in the first 3 days of vacation. The rest of the week was just the cherry on top!


When vacation ended, I was super sad about returning to real life, but that's when I realized that I could take a little bit of holiday with me into each day. I made a mental list of all the things I did that I enjoyed. And since then, I have been trying to incorporate at least one of those things into each day.


Here's a bit of the list:
1. Reading a really good book that I can't put down
2. Coloring, painting, doodling or creating something
3. Sitting in the sun
4. Have a really good cup of chai latte
5. Listen to an old CD that I had forgotten about
6. Thrift treasures
7. Organize my treasures
8. Talk to a friend
9. Laugh with my kids
10. Watch a great movie that I've never seen
11. Try a new restaurant


I think you get the idea. Some days I can only squeeze in 5 minutes of reading before I pass out at night. Some days I get to do several things on the list. But either way, it brings a little bit of vacation, hope, and rest into each day.


Maybe you don't suffer from depression like I do (I hope you don't!!). Maybe you are just weary or wonder where the beauty of life went. Try making your own "Do what I love list". See if you can find your vacation moments in each day! 


peace, love, and cute shoes~
chrissy

Comments

  1. Started off by seeing your furniture Makeover photos on IG. Which brought me to your blog. Loved the furniture post.... the stumbled upon this. What a welcome surprise! Humm... anyway, I also have suffered with depression (no more meds) but it was nice to read about the things that get you through those blue days! Also nice to see your creative juices in motion! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Your comment made me so happy! :) It's nice to know that there are others out there like me getting off the meds. I'm also glad you liked the furniture posts. THanks for making my day with your sweet words.

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  2. Getting all caught up on your blog and this post stuck with me. I feel like I could have written this. I'm in the same boat. I started a new job at the beginning of 2012, I'm a full time student, and of course a mom and wife. There are somedays I try to juggle way too many flaming swords, but I'm an over achiever. I can't help it. Some days are bluer than others but this post helped to remind me of things that I also enjoy doing that help to perk my mood and put me in check on what is truly important in life. Thank you for sharing a bit of yourself Chrissy!!!!

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