It is not always easy to blog, or get back to people, or meet people. I am learning to increase what I do gently as my medication allows me to function more and more. I did a Mondaysworth of jobs yesterday and have done more than I thought I could today too, so am metaphorically patting myself on the back.
I decided to begin a list on this blog of tools for fighting depression and anxiety: The Depression Toolkit. I can look at it for reminders when I am forgetful and also look back in the future to recognise how far I’ve come. If any are any use to other readers, so much the better.
I visited a friend yesterday who reminded me that even while getting to church services is too daunting, there are some amazing online resources, such as Liquid Church. One recent talk had reminded her of me, and it appears it might be relevant to so many others in a similar position. It is not hard to fall into negative thinking when you are an educated and aspirational woman with a young family, feeling frustrated with your lot despite being overwhelmed with it. Rebekah Lyons tells her story of freefall – which she has written a book about, and a clip to give you an idea is shown below.
It doesn’t bug me any more when others have had similar experiences. It inspires me, because there are others around, cheering those of us who struggle on. And perhaps God is even doing a new thing in us when we do freefall.
I am blessed with family, but more than that, blessed with people who choose to be in my life and choose to help: they are numerous, generous and marvellous. My husband particularly is a big blessing to me at the moment – an amazing man, quietly cheering me on and enabling me and taking on responsibilities with the children and the guinea pigs when I reach the invisible walls.
So my first tool is to remember that I am not alone – I am not the first person to be here, there are many supporters around in many forms and there is proof of recovery.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” Hebrews 12:1
jam and giraffes 