Tag: change

Working on Myself & Trying to Stay Positive.

by thisiswhatdepressionlookslike

One thing I’m learning about having all this time to myself is that I’m not 100% happy with me. I’ve worked so much in life that I forgot who I am. I find it hard to find hobbies for me to do or even things to watch on TV. I’m so used to going to work and going home and relaxing. I’m not used to having time to do things to make me happy and that’s what I’m searching for now. Going to the gym is ok sometimes, when I’m not making it a mandatory thing. I need to learn how to make things fun vs making everything a chore.

Writing has always been a passion of mine. For a long time, even now, I didn’t think I was good enough to be a writer. I have disabilities to hold me back from it but I’m learning now to embrace it and have fun with it. We often don’t enjoy doing things anymore because we feel like if we’re not perfect then we shouldn’t be doing that. It wasn’t until I started taking yoga that I learned perfection is a figment of my imagination. Not giving up takes strength.

Honestly giving up is a part of the process. Sometimes we give up things just to make a full circle and start back up where we left off. Writing is something I’ve done and gave up on so many times. One big reason why is because I listen to so many opinions and take them all to heart.

Your life and everyone else’s isn’t the same and, although we should value everyone’s opinion that we care about, you shouldn’t take them all to heart . You have to start living for you! Making decisions for yourself is a part of adulthood. The decisions you make only affects you . Some cases they can affect the people around you but sometimes you have to put you above all of that I think about what makes you happy. Remember this, nine times out of 10 people are thinking about themselves when they give you an opinion on what you should do. They never actually stepping your shoes .

Right now, I’m working for me. I’m enjoying my alone time by doing things I want to do, and making decisions my way. I’m being selfish right now. I love everyone around me but I’m really loving this alone time to figure out my life. A lot of things don’t make sense to me right now ,but I don’t expect it to . I’m trying not to overthink the process and dwell on my past. I love and appreciate all the support for my love ones. Thank you for being here. Thank you for listening. #thisiswhatdepressionlookslike

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The Life of an Unemployed Hard Worker.

by thisiswhatdepressionlookslike

It’s been three days since being laid off; Maybe four… The days just seem way longer. I’ve been working since I was 17. No long-term breaks, just vacations and mental days. It’s the weekend now and although I didn’t work on weekends, I still feel like I need to grind. The weekend doesn’t feel the same without a job. It all feels like wasted time, like I should be out here searching for something. My friends and family keep telling me to use this time to rest, but my mind won’t allow me to. My mind is constantly trying to figure things out, constantly trying to solve things. People that don’t know or understand me doesn’t know how this is affecting me. People don’t know how hard I work; how hard I grind. People see me as a woman, with no kids with potential to do great things. This may be true but right now I only see a failure.

I’m fully aware that I’m being hard on myself; It’s almost unhealthy. I just don’t like getting comfortable with being down. I try to be up as long as time will allow me to be. This transition is normal to people but for me, it feels very foreign; like my life shouldn’t be like this. As much as I try to tell myself that everything is going to be fine, it doesn’t feel like it right now. My situation is different than a lot of people that has been laid off. I actually have others that were let go with me. As bad as this sounds, it makes me feel better knowing I wasn’t alone. I know that being laid off wasn’t my fault. This also makes me sad because I often worry about the others. I know if I feel down and out then some might feel the same if not, worse. I carry too much on my shoulders and its weighing me down.

The most important part about this situation is the amount of support and compassion others have shown. I honestly think that without my love ones I would be really down. The compassion has given me motivation. You never know what being nice does for others. A friend called me yesterday to ask how I was. I usually just say “I’m good, and you?” but I wasn’t good. Sometimes you really need to tell others how you’re actually feeling so you can get the help you need. I never been the one to tell people my true thoughts and feelings. I never think people actually cared. I was wrong. You’ll be surprised how many people ACTUALLY care. I have to learn that fully. I never want to be a burden on others so I hold a lot in. That’s a toxic trait. It’s toxic towards yourself. You hurt yourself when you don’t express your feelings. I won’t even get into what that could do for your loved ones. Sometimes trying to do things on your own or holding issues in can rob you of your own happiness.

Writing is my favorite hobby. It’ll keep me busy until I find my new journey. I’m more motivated than ever to share my story. I was embarrassed at first, but now I know that others may need my story more then I need to keep it a secret. Being in a healthy mind state is being open. You can’t heal if you’re not open to help. You can’t figure out everything by yourself. This I something I’m learning daily. I hope you’re reading this and realizing that talking to your friends helps. Thank you for allowing me to be open. #thisiswhatdepressionlookslike

NO is ok. (with audio)

by thisiswhatdepressionlookslike

Hey guys!! I know it’s been a while, but I’m working. I recorded something this morning that was on my mind. As much as I preach to be a great friend and to be example; I want you to also understand that it’s OK to say you can’t be that great friend. It’s OK to not be able to help someone sometimes. When you’re going through your own issues, it’s hard for you to help somebody resolve what they have going on. Don’t mentally drain yourself trying to save someone else. Do what you can and move forward. A real friend would understand. Often I have to tell myself that it’s OK to tell others what’s going on with ME. One of my biggest life struggles is coping with the fact that I can’t always be the strong friend. I’ve always had to be the person that had something positive to tell everyone. Mentally that could be draining especially when you’re suffering with depression. It’s almost like the blind leading the blind. I’ve had to learn over the years that sometimes you not saying anything is better than you saying what is on your mind. Sometimes your help is actually hinder. I just wanted to tell you guys it’s OK to not have all the answers and it’s OK to need someone yourself. When you’re the strong friend you often don’t have people to talk to. Tell your friends that you need them. Lastly, you could also go to therapy! When people hear the word therapy they think that that’s for crazy people or unstable people. Therapy can work for anyone that has real life problems like we all do. We all don’t have people we can just go back to and tell all our problems to. Get your mental straight before you try to help other people. ALWAYS be verbal with people. Let them know that you can’t do everything. No is right sometimes. #Thisiswhatdepressionlookslike

Story Submitted by: Ja’miah Harris

by thisiswhatdepressionlookslike

gagh

Staying with a man you no longer love just to say your not alone. I remember being in a relationship with this verbally abusive guy. He would curse at me ,call me out of my name, and even cheated on me. Yet I still stayed. I stayed with him two years  the first year was good and the second year was hell. He would criticize how I dressed ,how I talked, the things I’d do. Whenever he be around my friends he would talk negatively. Deep down  I knew I had to break up with him, but my insecurities would win every time. I’d second guess my self and try to focus on the potential he had . He had a job,he likes helping others,he was real loving when it came to his family so I thought one day he would eventually be like that with me. As days weeks and months went on the verbal abuse happened more frequently and the more love and care I showed him the less I had for myself I gained more weight stopped caring about how I looked until one day I looked myself in the mirror and realized I haven’t been me . I haven’t been true to myself . I would give great advice to my friends and family about what true love was and how a good man will do this or that but to my own life I realized I became blind and settle for less than I deserved. God took the mirror and made me look at myself cause he knew I could lie and hide the truth from everyone except me. I took time away from my then boyfriend to analyze why I was so willing to settle for this emotionally draining relationship he took and I gave but never got anything back my hands and heart were empty. I had to ask why I set myself up why did I settle. Then it hit me. It was because I didn’t love myself. I didn’t love myself enough to fix myself up to keep myself looking good and doing the things I like to do. I was too busy giving my time and love away to the wrong person. After praying and praying God showed me the man he would have for me but he wouldn’t bring him to my life to love me till I loved me and loved God more. So I dumped that guy and decided to focus on me I lost weight went to church changed my style a bit and got back to loving me and especially my God. I told God I will be celibate till I get married if only had let me meet my husband. After many prayers crying learning more about myself my purpose and just before I had planned to let go of my hopes and dreams of having the right man, my husband my soulmate . We stumbled across each other just by a happy coincidence of setting up an online dating account. I don’t know how this is for or if this was helpful at all but this is one of my stories of depression and how I gradually over came it #thisiswhatdepressionlookslike

Happy birthday mom. ❤️

by thisiswhatdepressionlookslike

Hey mom,

First and foremost, happy birthday! This is the day that you were brought in the world and I’ll always celebrate that. You’re the reason I’m here. I still miss you . You’re like a best friend to me . I could tell you anything without judgement. I miss that. It’s a trait that’s hard to find in people. Last year was a long year, but I made it through. I work a lot. I enjoy staying busy as you know. Like you told me before, I’m enjoying my money I make and I’m also saving . This has been my first full year I only worked One job and I’m proud of myself. I also have a new boyfriend. He’s such a great guy. You’d love him. He’s a Scorpio like me. You know I love scorpios lol. He treats me like he should, I definitely know my worth now. I know I told you before about having kids before 30 but my life journey has changed since I told you that. I’m perfectly fine with waiting til after 30. I’m 27 and I’m just discovering myself . I’m perfectly fine with that and I know you would be too. I think I might have found my life partner. He makes me see life in a different light. I’ve definitely grown since being with him. I thank God for him .

Last year was the year of forgiveness and growth. I was going through a lot mentally. I took off from school because my head wasn’t in the game. I promise you that’ll go back. I want to be focus when I do so. I like the work I do but I want more . I deserve more. I work really hard. I want to make you proud even though you always told me no matter what I do you’ll be proud . I’m coming out of my shell too. My boyfriend Djs and I manage him. When he first asked me I was nervous but after booking him I realized that I enjoyed doing that kind of work. Fashion and music have both been something I loved and I thank God I’m working in both. I also have a blog now. You know I love writing. I share my stories about me dealing with depression and I been getting great feedback. I can’t believe I could reach others and make them feel comfortable enough to tell me things that they went through. It’s a great movement. Malik was concerned at first when he saw my blog but now he embraces it. He miss you too. He grieves differently. He’s not comfortable enough with visiting you yet and I understand. He’ll get there. I know it shocks you that me and him are so close . We couldn’t stand each other lol. We have a lot of similarities and love for each other and our relationship grew because of this. Derick and I too. He’s more to himself than us but he’s opening up and I love it. I love my brothers . I haven’t seen Semaj recently but I do love him just as much as my other brothers. You have great kids . You did good. My grandmother raised me like you wanted and I thank you both for everything. I have so much more to say but I’ll save it for a later time. I love you always and I can’t wait to see you again. I’m enjoying my time down here so hopefully not soon but when God is ready I will be too ❤️

Love your only daughter,

Erika Starr Hale