I’m going to let you in on a little secret.
Sometimes I get discouraged.
Sometimes I get depressed.
I’m usually a very optimistic and motivated individual but sometimes I get depressed. It usually happens for about a week every five or six months. I feel the discouragement coming on like a dark cloud that hangs over every thought of every day. I get down and start to believe everything I think is wrong and I’ve failed at everything I’ve attempted and will fail at everything I’m attempting.
The depression arrives like a rain cloud and pours doubt and discouragement over every spark of optimism and tries to douse any flame of hope with despair.
Sometimes I have panic attacks. The first panic attack I ever experienced was on a redeye flight across the country. I really love flying so it caught me completely by surprise. The attack had nothing to do with being scared to fly or even being on an airplane, but regardless I suddenly couldn’t sit in my seat anymore. The attack hit me like a wall and lasted most of the flight. I stumbled to the back of the plane and paced back and forth for three hours trying to talk myself down. Luckily it was a redeye so everyone was asleep, but I thought I was going to get kicked off the plane and put on a no-fly list.
I also have family members and friends who struggle with discouragement and depression. There are obviously varying degrees of depression but I don’t know anyone who hasn’t struggled with some degree of it at one point or another. One of the problems with depression is that it’s sometimes hard to admit. There can be a certain perceived weakness and stigma in admitting depression is a problem you’ve wrestled with.
I know many people deal with far more intense depression than I’ve ever felt. I know some people have depression so bad it won’t let them leave their bed. Knowing that I would never discuss depression flippantly. But there are two things I try to keep in mind when I feel the cloud coming my way. To be clear, I have never been able to keep the cloud from arriving. All I try to do is keep a couple of things in mind so I can weather the storm better.
“Don’t doubt in the valley what you learned on the mountain.”
I try to keep this phrase in mind anytime I am entering the cloud. And even more so when I’m under the cloud.
There are things you know in life that should never be forgotten no matter what your emotions are telling you. These are the things you learned when you were on the “mountain” and could see clearly and think logically. Things you learned when you were high enough to see over the problem clouds and when you could see the path below clearly. You should never doubt these things when you are in the “valley” and everything looks bleak and dark. Don’t doubt the truth when you are fighting through the lowlands of life.
You have to hold the things you know to be true regardless of what your emotions tell you at any given moment.
Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs.
“This too shall pass.”
Another important thing to remember is that nothing lasts forever. Feelings change. Circumstances change. People change. It’s important to hold on to the idea that no matter how bad things get, nothing is permanent. The issue or feeling you currently have will eventually change. Don’t let go of that fact.
You will not be stuck in your current moment forever, even when it feels like you will.
Walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
Keep walking. A shadow can’t hurt you, it only looks like it can.
Keep walking.
Final thought
Depression is a very real thing and while changing your thought process can help you fight the effects of discouragement and depression, sometimes additional help or medication is needed. Fighting constant depression often requires additional help so don’t be afraid to call in backup. Talk to a friend, family member or a doctor. No one should ever be afraid to admit they fight depression or that they have been depressed. I would bet that everyone who has ever lived has been depressed at one time or another. One of the reasons I share my stories and sometimes write about subjects that I would rather leave alone is to do my part to help take away any stigmas associated with certain topics.
Never let fear stand in the way of getting whatever help is needed. We have all been there.
A post-apocalyptic novel that gives hope and love?
