• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Mental Health Resources
    • Depression Resources
  • Blog
    • Coping
    • Medication
    • Self Care
    • Stress and Anxiety
    • Unhelpful thinking
      • Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda
      • Fortune-Telling
      • Guilt and Shame
      • Time Travel
    • Sleep Issues
    • Depression
    • Covid19
    • Suicide & Self-Harm
    • Wellness Tools
      • SMART – Self Management And Recovery Training
      • WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan)
      • Change Triangle
  • Contact

“I Suffer From Depression.” Here’s What I Am Learning.

Turnaround
You are here: Home / Featured Home / I want to say thank you for yesterday.

I want to say thank you for yesterday.

September 8, 2019 by Depression Is Not My Boss Leave a Comment

Focusing on the one thing I could control, I decided to look at my attitude towards the weekend.

On Friday, I had decided to understand how I needed to think if I was going to relax and enjoy the day.

It was clear that I normally would be stressed out about not doing things I was thinking about because family was visiting. Having company requires a change in attitude.

I understand it is not about me.

Knowing this, I thought about my morning routine and how that would change with family staying with us for the weekend. I made a list of the things I wanted to do in my head and then reminded myself that I will still be able to do them later. I made a list of what I had to do, even with family staying at our house, i.e. taking my medicine, bringing in the bird feeders so the bears don’t raid them overnight, and a few other things.

This freed up my mind to focus on my family and enjoy their visit.

I am so thankful for yesterday. We had 14 people around our dining room table for dinner. I got to visit and talk about all kinds of experiences. Part of the family gathering was a birthday party, complete with bringing out the “baby book” and reliving that first year. Today there will be another get together with family. We will be driving to pick up family, then heading to lunch. Another chance to visit, learn and share.

Five months ago, I would not have thought this was possible. I could not see a way forward as depression had me in a death spiral. My vision of the future had shrunk to the point I could not see that there would ever be a way I would enjoy life.

Finally facing depression, I made a choice to have a different outcome.

And that has made my future possible. With time, my daily Prozac, weekly therapist appointments, Peer Advocate supporters, On-line research, SMART recovery meetings, WRAP plan and the books I have purchased and read have given me an entirely new outlook on life.

I have always put on a brave, I can do-it face to the public, but the reality of much of my life has been different. Concealed depression, high-functioning depression or major depressive disorder, whatever you call it, kept me from truly enjoying life for over 40 years.

Learning the tools to keep depression from being my boss is helping me have experiences like yesterday. I really enjoyed being with family. I was present in the moment, not trying to get to the future, or living in the past. This was a new experience for me, or at least something I have not done in a long time.

I was present, in the moment, enjoying my family.  So, I will say it again, “thank you.”

Filed Under: Featured Home, SMART - Self Management And Recovery Training, Some days I feel like myself, What depression has cost me, WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Tagged With: concealed depression, depression, High-functioning depression, mental health, SMART, SMART Recovery, unhealthy thinking styles, Unhelpful thinking, unhelpful thinking styles, WRAP

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

I write My Concealed Depression to create Mental Health AwarenessHello, I am Joel. I have Major Depressive Disorder.  I am genuinely determined to figure out my personal relationship with depression. With 40+ years of living with concealed depression, I write my blog to find answers. 

I once got so carried away searching for answers that I even earned a  certification in  SMART Recovery. 

Get my latest posts, (your email is never sold or rented)

I developed a 38 Page Mental Health Tools Flipbook. Complete the Form and Get Your Free Copy Now.

Privacy Policy

Discover Self-Care, Coping Strategies, Understand Anxiety, Track your Triggers, Mood, and Sleep; Recap Therapy Sessions, and more.

https://myconcealeddepression.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/my-concealed-depression-intro.mp4
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

More to See

The startling truth about coping statements for anxiety and depression

The Startling Truth About Coping Statements For Anxiety and Depression

October 28, 2020 By Depression Is Not My Boss

My 101 Coping Strategies for Anxiety

My 101 Best Coping Statements For Anxiety and Depression

October 18, 2020 By Depression Is Not My Boss

Is my anxiety from not cleaning up completely from my trip to Africa?

Is My Anxiety Because I Am Still Unpacking from Africa?

January 28, 2023 By Depression Is Not My Boss

Am I Able to Be Happier, to Feel Joy?

January 24, 2023 By Depression Is Not My Boss

You Never Pay More, Yet Clicking These Links And Making a Purchase Helps Fund My Blog

PureFormulas.com-Pure Healthy Goodness, Highest-Grade Natural Supplements! Fast, Free Shipping!
Mosaic 250x250
Blog Meets Brand
Your Page Title

Footer

Contact

Email:  my.concealed.depression@gmail.com

Privacy Policy

Recent

  • If Only I Felt Happy, Maybe I Could Be Happy
  • Is My Anxiety Because I Am Still Unpacking from Africa?
  • Am I Able to Be Happier, to Feel Joy?
  • What Made Depression Almost Keep Me From Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro?
  • 3 Years and 9 Months After Admitting Depression, I Can Say Merry Christmas

Search

© Copyright 2020 · My Concealed Depression · All Rights Reserved · Designed by The Marketing Momma