Depression - A Guest Post

Friday's random article is brought to you by the lovely Ems of Lick My Cupcakes - if you haven't checked out this incredible blog, you must do so immediately after this article :D

Depression.


Yup, depression. Not the most glee-inducing subject for one to pick while guest-blogging, I know- but believe it or not, (and this may come as a shock to you) I DON'T IN FACT, POOP SUNSHINE AND RAINBOWS.
Hi, I'm Emma, and I'm a sad-a-holic.


Well, I'm not really. If you know me, you will know I'm usually a bouncy little unicorn with bows in her hair who explodes into glitter on a regular basis, but if you know me WELL, you will know I've been through a heck of a lot to get there too. Whether you have been diagnosed with depression, or are just plain glum, I think there are stages in everyone's life where they find themselves realising how completely unhappy they are.

Last year was well and truly one of the worst times of my adult life- I say adult, because I was a crazy-ass teen, but that's a whole 'nother story. Anyway, despite an amazing start, being a newlywed and having my incredible honeymoon in January, everything went downhill from there and it was an awful year. A year full of lost friendships, eating disorders, unnecessary stress, trust issues, cracked hearts (well, that should be singular, it was just my heart- and I say cracked cos it wasn't quite broken), tears, sleepless nights and general unhappiness. It was a
quarter-life crisis of the worst kind.

Luckily, I got through it. A bit of permanent damage and some more issues to cram in my spare bedroom cupboard, but I got through it. I can't tell you exactly how, because I really don't know. I just decided I was done with this, I missed the old me, and I made the most of the new year. I was determined to start fresh, start happy, and start full of hope and excitement for the future.

So I did. I went out on New Years Eve, armed with glittery eye makeup and a positive attitude. I counted down til 12 o'clock, threw a handful of glitter in the air (and smeared it on the faces of many boys), and I started my new year happy. I just used 2009 as an excuse, but you can change anytime you want. Be it in a few months, next week, this afternoon. Whenever you are ready, just give in and let yourself be happy, don't worry about all the crap, you have your whole life to stress.

Yes, it's easy to say, not so easy to do. Just like anything, it will never work unless you are properly motivated, and believe that you can do something about it. So what's changed for me exactly? Well, my old friends still aren't my friends, I still work in the same crappy job, I still stress too much, have insomnia, overthink things, struggle with body image issues and eating disorders- so what has changed? My mindset, that's what. I have realised it's life, these things happen. Not everything can be great but remember to embrace the things that are. Think of all the positives and don't let the negatives get the better of you. Make sure you have positive people in your life, great friends make all the difference. And if all else fails, try a few of these tips!

A few Ways to help conquer the blues.

Take some time out.
I have made it a ritual to spend Friday night alone, pampering myself, and de-stressing from the week that has ended. I take a bubble bath, do a facial mask and hair treatment, dance around like an idiot while I tidy up, then stay up til 4am catching up on blogs and watching my favourite tv shows while eating chocolate and bawling like an idiot. It definitely helps, and puts me in a great mood to start the weekend.

Talk to someone.
Anyone. They may not have all the answers but it will help just to get it off your chest. It may seem like a ridiculous idea, and it will be excruciating to try and spit out, but once you do, you will feel so much lighter. The most surprising people are the ones who will listen, don't underestimate people. If you have no-one to listen, try a counsellor or therapist, a friend or family member, try www.beyondblue.org.au -or even me. I'm always willing to listen, even if I can't offer much help. You can contact me at mypinkheels@hotmail.com

Sing it out.
I'm so not kidding. Music is amazing therapy. Music determines my mood, each and every day. Whatever kind of tunes I listen to on the train before work helps rile me up when I know it's going to be a difficult one, cheer me up when I'm sad, calm me down when I'm overthinking, vent
my anger when I'm furious. Find some music that means something to you, and make it your anthem.

Write.
If you don't want to talk, write it. Start a blog, even if it's private, buy a journal, or, rather than spilling your story exactly, throw all your emotion into creative writing or poetry. You don't have to show anyone if you don't want to. You can even burn it when you're done. Just get the thoughts out of your head, and throw them out into the world!

<3 & Cupcakes, Em.

Photo Credit

2 comments:

  1. Oh, this is such a great post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Em - you truely amaze me. I've heard /read some of what you've been through in the past and I am totally in awe of you right now.

    I would like to acheive your mindset and you know what? You've kicked me into it!!

    Hurrah and thank you :)
    I'm going to bookmark this blog so I can come back and read the rest of it.
    Great post Em!!

    ReplyDelete