Depression Getaway with Wendy Love

Choosing a new password can be challenging. We are warned frequently that it is important to change passwords now and then. I watch a lot of detective shows and when they are trying to hack into someone's computer they always manage to guess the password using the usual: birthdates, pet's name, address, etc. I've got a new suggestion for a password change that may also help with depression. Are you ready?

If you are an introvert like me you will look for any excuse to take a break from people when you are at a party or in a crowd. Casey has become my new excuse. "I better walk the dog!"

"No offence but...."  My stepdaughter used to use this phrase a lot when she was in her teens. It was a preface for something honest that she wanted to share that she knew wouldn't be popular. She is a gentle sweet soul and wouldn't hurt anyone on purpose, and so I guess she thought if she said 'no offense but' before she brought up the unpopular thought, it would make everything okay? Frankly I don't even remember being offended so I guess it wasn't as dramatic is she might have thought at the time. Bless her for trying to avoid hurting others. However, there are times that people will says things, that do hurt and that we can't forget. And if you have any kind of mental illness you will find it hard NOT to relive those harsh words, over and over and over. That's called 'ruminating' and usually goes hand in hand with depression.

“A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water logged stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary?”  (That quote is from the book/movie 'Marley and Me'.) Oh, and by the way, the above picture is not of my Casey even though he looks like that. Just couldn't resist posting this one.

  Last time we talked about retreating to prepare for advancing. This would be a retreat of rest and relaxation and strengthening for the road ahead. Which one of these pictures looks like an ideal retreat for you?

Do you believe that in order to advance you must first retreat? We who live with mental illness know all about retreating. That is what we do, at least what I do, when I am at my worst. I retreat. And when I do retreat, my hope is that the enforced rest will fortify me to advance once again, when I am ready.

If that describes you, then you are strong!