Let’s be real, that’s what it is: a fight. A battle.

Unless you’re willing to lie down and just take it, that is.

And let’s face it, isn’t that what depression really is, at its core? Chemical instructions telling you to quit?

More to the point, to not merely give up, but to give in?

To lie down and not simply take that ground & pound, but jut out your chin?

Some days I fight. Others I wallow.

I notice that my tactics on each front are both constructive and destructive.

And that’s the trick, staying in pocket and first battling the urge to push back the constructive angels of your inner nature.

Denying that devil on either shoulder is the first front. You mollywhoop him and you’ve got a chance.

But he’s formidable, and that’s when you have to ask yourself the hardest of hard questions:

Is that devil stronger than you, or are you just plain weaker than he is?

Is he just in your head or is he *you*?

And yes, psychiatry aside, I think it’s relevant to explore some abstract thinking. To view it in different ways, from different perspectives, to package and repackage in new configurations to reach a point where it makes some sense.

Know thine enemy, correct? Know, then gain understanding.
I’m going to beat this shit.

You, whoever you are- and you’ll know who you are- will too.

But it’s a choice. The action that follows the choice isn’t easy, and the choice itself isn’t easy.
But it IS simple.

Remember: progress is a process.

Right?

you're going through trauma and recent shock, so it's definitely understandable

I've never had a healthy solution for it, I just made shitty decisions until I didnt

don't just take the ground and pound always look for the submission...

"in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity" ~ Einstein

teach life not to go to the mat with you Cold Truth.

>And yes, psychiatry aside, I think it’s relevant to explore
>some abstract thinking. To view it in different ways, from
>different perspectives, to package and repackage in new
>configurations to reach a point where it makes some sense.

Most definitely. You can't think your way out of depression per say but I'm sure it helps to have a mental model of what it is. A working model that you design for yourself that also includes troubleshooting it, managing it etc

Stay up.

They say we our own enemy...critics. I have been fighting for the past two years. My recent trip to ER made me realize I needed to get myself together. I thought I was having a heart attack and as I laid in that hospital bed I started to realize I have some much to live for.

This was just a week ago...

Be well my friend. The road will be rocky but you will get through it.

we have each other

*frowns* say wha???

babe don't be checking out and evaporating like that!!!! please!!!!

**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

____________

That you can't just take off ... no matter how nice and sunny it might be outside. The challenge is knowing you have them on and then how to take them shits off. It's tuff

but the water is heavy and black. Sometimes you can catch a glimpse of shore,
and sometimes it looks like you'll never touch land again.

Sometimes the waves are rough and tossing you around, and sometimes they gently flow around you.

Sometimes you have energy to swim, and other times it takes all you have to just keep your head above the surface.

I used to hope that I'd just wake up and the water would've been like a bad dream.
Then I used to think maybe a boat would come along, or at least someone would maybe toss me a raft.
But there is no rescue coming. Nobody will get me out of here.

I can only swim when I can, and stay afloat when I can't swim, until I reach shore.

Is there actually a shore? I don't know anymore.

But right now, I can't totally justify taking a last breath and going under.

So I swim. And I float. And I still find beauty in the clouds.

You sound like someone who’d be open to try it and stick with it.
I’ve been through it myself and CBT got me through.

If you can get your hands on Feeling Good by David Burns it’s a good self helpiish guide to CBT.

It's the one that always made the most sense to me. Glad to hear that it's effective for you.

You are really fighting through past traumas that have never ben resolved. They sink deeper and deeper inside of you and you suddenly forget why you are so sad.

Therapy is important or else this depression will impact you children. It is really a genetic mutation.

Men ESPECIALLY need to get help. You don't have the same support networks that women have. You don't go out and hunt or hike to release the energy. So it sits inside of you. Get Help. Depression can be managed. Trauma can be healed and laid to rest.

Rise & Shine
Thrive & Grind
Heart & Mind

Unless you're a Sixer fan (which you're not...eff that)

No matter what ups and downs you have to deal with during your bout with depression, always keep in mind the things, traits, and mannerisms that make you YOU! Because once you lose yourself, you've lost.

Hope that helps...I know there are down days, but that roll with the punches strategy is real. Get punched, but punch back, and eventually you either win by TKO or decision.

The only way you lose is if you don't fight

Abdul Jabbar, Muggsy Malone you
I don't know what that means but you know what I meant when I told you (c) Sean Price

and don't be shy about patting yourself on the back.

IG: amadu_me

"...Whateva, man..." (c) Redman

it'll be worth it.

Y'all buy those labels, I was born supreme

It's like tending to a sick baby while tending to the rest of your day. Exhausting and frustrating, even during the best of times.

I read a tweet (https://twitter.com/paulocoelho/status/954674900714901504?lang=en) by Paulo Cuehlo (The Alchemist) which read, "Happy week and remember:
there are days that life is about dreams, goals, brightness.
And there are days that life is just about putting foot in front of the other and continue walking - there is nothing wrong about this"

Take care, man.

<--- Me when my head hits the pillow

______________________________________

Everything looks like Oprah kissing Harvey Weinstein these days

I am going through something similar with this recovery. Shit isnt easy and the mental part is probably harder than the physical part. Everyday it's a struggle to get out of bed and do what I need to do. If I didn't have my son I doubt I would even get out of bed. Keep your kids in your thoughts man.

November 8th, 2005 The greatest night in the history of GD!

And you seem to have such a level head about it. My wife has battled depression forever, it runs in her family ... and she goes through the same mental gymnastics. I often wish there was an easy answer so I could help her more. I just try and listen and do whatever I can to make her smile, often. Thankfully I think I must be doing an OK job cause since we've been together she hasn't had any real "breakdowns" (for lack of a better term) or long bouts/episodes where she just couldn't find her chi.

I have my moments but I'm generally, fortunately, thankfully, a pretty happy and optimistic person so I think that, more than anything else, is what gives her and us that good balance that has allowed our relationship to thrive to this point.

Anyway. Didn't mean to make this about me, I guess I just used my personal experience to say, you're not alone in this (obviously you already know that) and to encourage you in the sense that ... the way you seem to be handling it is positive and I hope you can continue to figure it out in a positive and enlightening way.

You're a sharp dude and I've always enjoyed our interactions around these parts. I wish you the best on your journey. Just continue to maintain whatever level of positivity and even-keeledness that you can man. You'll be straight.

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"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

the more i try to to fight it, the worse i sink ive noticed. i just take the punches and wallow until it goes away.