So, last week, I talked about dreaming bigger and my growth of being more in front than hanging around in the back being a doer. Let me talk about how God works!
I got a call from a colleague and friend that I had previously worked with (I always carry someone from each of my jobs LOL!). She asked me to do a presentation to college students about managing their social media reputations and how to be safe doing it. Now, this is what I do in my corporate life…I’m a cybersecurity awareness and education professional. I was super nervous, but I packed down the butterflies, put on my best face, and did what I do!
God keeps sending me nuggets by way of such opportunities to let me know that I am on the right path (even when I don’t think so). He is preparing me for greater…I truly believe that. But, I must say that lately my energy has been very low. This is the time of year when I begin to suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Depression). I literally become sad during the winter months…the shorter the days get, the more the symptoms kick in. The struggle is real...I needs my vitamin D!! My birthday is in November and for the most part, I’m rarely in the mood to celebrate. Daylight Saving Time usually ends at the beginning of November, and it gets dark at around 5:30 p.m. When I leave home, it’s dark…when I come home, it’s dark. All the darkness!!
I’m close to very few people, but those few people mean everything to me. - Unknown
How do you be a good daughter, girlfriend, friend, and an aspiring blogger when you yourself are going through a sort of depression? I feel like I really fail at being there for those who need me during this time of year. I don't answer calls, write much, and I sleep more than I usually would…drinking Ashwaganda tea at 7:30 p.m., knocking out around 8:30 p.m. and still struggling to get up in the morning to start the day. This goes on until around March when the days start to get longer again.
Although I’m completely happy at this juncture in my life, it's a very strange feeling to be going through depression at the same time. Can they coexist? The answer is yes. Why? Because depression doesn’t necessarily manifest sadness. And while I don’t feel that this is severe depression (I know what that feels like), it is very aggravating to deal with it each year.
Happiness is more than doing fun things. It’s about doing meaningful things. - Maxime Lagacé
As I get older, I have been working towards handling this time of year much better than I have in the past in hopes of weighing down the depressive parts of the balancing scale. I am amping up on vitamin D supplements and therapist time, pushing myself to work out in hopes of creating more endorphins, trying to eat better since I crave carbs and sweets the most, keeping a consistent sleeping routine, and taking myself on a tropical vacation for my birthday this year.
Your truest friends are the ones who will stand by you in your darkest moments because they’re willing to brave the shadows with you and in your greatest moments, because they’re not afraid to let you shine. - Nicole Yatsonsky
As I mentioned in my last post, my circle of those who care about me is freaking awesome! I really wouldn’t be able to make it through this year after year without them. They push me to get out of the house even when I’m so down, I just want to sit in the darkness that I hate so much. It can be something as simple as going to dinner and laughing at all the crazy stuff we did when we were younger. Just laughing and talking helps me come out of that depressive state and the rest of the day is good. This is the first time that #NewOldBae will be braving this season with me. He’s really been a calming element in the chaos that is my life, so I think he’s up to the challenge. He’s consistent in the way he loves me and on my roughest day, shows me what it’s like to have a partner who loves and cares unselfishly.
Everyday is a new day to start anew and every day I’m still standing, I plan to take full advantage of what God has for me. As the saying goes “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”, so I keep it moving through the season of depression and when the longer days reappear, I’m ready to take on even more.
If you deal with seasonal depression, or any type of depression, I would love to hear some of your coping mechanisms of making it through.
Until next time…thanks for listening!
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