In the face of depression, it’s easy to feel that your world is nothing but helplessness, hopelessness, sadness and isolation.

The smallest of tasks feel like a heavy burden, and at times it feels like there is no hope.

The person you once were, may feel like a distant memory.

These are all very real feelings associated with depression.  I assure you there is HOPE…  And there are steps you can take to bring you through those dark and lonely times.  Although you may not see it now, there is a courage, strength and resilience inside of you wanting to stand UP and fight.

“How do I find it?”  You may ask.

BABY STEPS…

Breathe and relax…

Allow your emotions to flow…

Emotions come and go, they are naturally intrinsic to us as human beings.  Most people tend to perceive different emotions as negative, which in turn causes us to fight against them.

What if you were to BE with your sadness, allow yourself to cry and feel the release that your body and soul need?

What if you were to BE with your anger, allow yourself to feel angry, frustrated and mad – yet react in a way that is healthy to you and others?

What if you were to BE with your pain, allow yourself to feel and not fight it.  Find it in your heart to BE with your emotions.

Look at your emotions and feelings through the eyes of tenderness, kindness, awareness and compassion and slowly but surely, you will experience a shift, a release…

At any given point of time there is a trigger point – an event or occurrence that creates a feeling(s) / emotions and then we react with a behavior.  

For example:

Trigger: An outburst of unexplained crying (which is common with depression)
Feelings: Scared, alone, angry, frustrated, fearful and upset.
Reaction: I suppress the emotions and how I’m feeling with others, I withdraw. (a common reaction with depression – to isolate)

It’s important to realize that the trigger and feelings are more often than not out of your control.  What is in your control is how you react.

Being aware of how you respond in any given circumstance is key to awareness, and taking the baby steps to move forward.

Next step, is to accept in that moment how you are feeling.

In the midst of depression, an outburst of unexplained crying is a common symptom.  A mixture of emotions arise that can cause many different reactions.  Allow the emotions to flow, don’t fight them as this can lead to prolonged emotional pain and anxiety.  It is from here that you can choose to react in a healthy way.

Let’s look at a healthy reaction to the above example:
Reaction: I honor the feelings, allow them to freely flow and ask for support and what I need.

You can even go one step further…

Knowing what you need – it could be someone to hold you, or listen without interruption, soothing words, or maybe being present by yourself to the moment.

As Byron Katie, who experienced major depression herself, so profoundly says “What is is!” Don’t resist it, be with it and reach out for the help you need.

And always remember…