I struggle with depression. Have I mentioned that before? I meant to write about this, especially in relation to post-partum depression, at some point this year, but well, the year seems to have gotten away from me. I’m not going to write much about it in this post either because, oh la la, it is just not something I want to get into today. Some day though, I promise! :)
{By the way, it is not uncommon for women who have fertility problems to have trouble with depression too – an imbalance in hormones can wreak havoc on our bodies, minds, and souls in many ways.}
I am usually able to keep it at bay, without drugs, although I do take a very, very mild dose of an antidepressant to help me sleep. Sleep is so important. So are vitamins, outside time (I need to work on this!), finding the right pace for my days (not too busy or over-extended, not too empty), time spent nourishing my soul with prayer and inspirational reading, keeping a focus on goals, and making sure priorities are kept in proper order. It is possible to still be a good mother and wife – a wonderful mother and wife – and fight depression at the same time!
One thing I’ve often noticed about myself is that keeping all of these things going (the things mentioned in the paragraph above) is much easier when I am in the middle of reading some sort of helpful book about motherhood, the spiritual life, homemaking… anything along those lines. And if I’m not currently reading and enjoying something like that, lack of motivation and then depression can settle in pretty quickly. I’ve always considered this to be a weakness of mine… And then I began reading Jamie Martin’s book, Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood. (You can find Jamie here, here, and here. She is amazing.)
I’ve had this book on my to-read list for ages. Recently, it finally seemed like the right time to pick it up and immediately I was struck with her acknowledgement of the power of words. And it’s true. Words put together in the right way can have real power. I feel like this is something I’ve always known, have perhaps even mentioned myself, but somehow this time I realized it in a completely different way. God uses the words of others to lift us up and encourage us and keep us going. It’s a wonderful gift to have these words, and it is not a weakness to need them!
Jamie mentioned making a box full of quotes that inspire her. If it is good enough for her, it’s good enough for me. :) Just thinking about doing this made me feel more calm and peaceful… the idea of having something to look to on those days when I need an extra nudge upward so I don’t find myself spiraling downward… what a blessing that would be for my whole family.
So I bought a little wooden box at Michaels and decorated it with some paint pens:
Hee hee – it looks to me like something my 10-year old self would have made, not exactly the piece of beauty I had envisioned, but it will work. :)
And I began filling it up with inspiration:
Now I’m off to tell Jamie about it and give her back a little of the encouragement she has given me. :)
Have a beautiful day! :)
