Daily Affirmations

I know this is going to sound really cheesy, but seriously, it helps. If you look in the mirror and repeat the same things over and over again while looking into your own eyes, it works. Of course you have to have the right attitude about it. You have to say it with some meaning instead of just as a "oh whatever I'll do this but it's stupid" sort of thing. If there's one thing I've learned in this life, it's that repetition is seriously effective, for both good or ill. If you are repeatedly told you are worthless, and then the word cycles endlessly through your head, you believe you are worthless. Similar tactics need to be used to combat that sort of negative self-talk. It's easier for negative things to root in your head, but if you repeat something positive long enough with enough conviction, you'll start to believe it. It's not going to happen overnight. It takes serious time and effort. But positive affirmations really do work. I wouldn't be doing half as well as I am right now overall without them. A year ago on Sunday, I wrote out this thing called the Mallory Manifesto (dorky, I know, but that's my style) and hung it on the wall near my door so I'd see it every time I left my room. I don't read it thoroughly every time I see it, but sometimes I just stop and look at it and think about how I was when I wrote that. I was pretty depressed and things seemed hopeless, but I was determined to pull myself out because I'd been in too deep for too long. So I wrote out a list of statements I needed to remember, signed it, dated it, and stuck it to the wall. Some of those negative things don't affect me as much anymore because I've managed to drill their positive opposites into my head. I can personally vouch for the power of daily affirmations, so long as you take them seriously and really ponder on them. I challenge all of you who struggle with certain negative thoughts that won't go away to write out a list of their positive opposites and put it somewhere you'll see it often: the mirror, by the door, over your bed. For example, if you think "I am not worth anything" write down "I am worth so much" and so on. Cheesy as it may seem, it really can work if you let it.

Lighthearted

I've been pretty depressed the past couple of days, and this morning, I just did not want to get out of bed. I lay there for a while just staring at the ceiling, thinking of nothing but how much I didn't want to do anything today. I ended up going to class and work anyway out of a sense of necessity. But I did a few things that helped me lessen the gloom a bit. For one, I wore a shirt entirely covered in pictures of cat faces. Said shirt inspired a conversation with someone in my stats class and I ended up laughing and enjoying talking, which definitely helped. Secondly, I ate a Charms Blow Pop. A giant one, mind you, so it was kind of hard to fit in into my mouth at first, which made eating it super awkward. I was laughing at how ridiculous I must look because I was eating it as I walked to work and everyone who passed me must have wondered what the heck a college student was doing with a giant sucker. Once I finally got past that bit, I got to the bubblegum center and commenced in blowing rather large bubbles. I've always been a champion bubble blower; whenever my sister and I got into contests as a kid, I'd win. It was something silly and lighthearted and a little bit ridiculous that brought back positive memories. It returned some sense of normalcy and helped me feel a little better. If there's something silly and innocent that you can add to your days, do it. Even if it's as simple as getting a beloved childhood candy and going to town with it. The options are limitless, and it'll break up the nothingness a bit.

When Feeling Overwhelmed

This has more to do with anxiety than depression, but here I go. Sometimes, we all get swamped. There is just so much going on at work or school or in our families or with our friends or some combination of all of these. Everyone goes through that. But when you have anxiety and have a ridiculous amount of things going on at once, you feel like you're in over your head and start drowning. This week, I have a crazy amount of things going on. I already gave one group presentation in class but have an individual presentation tomorrow that I haven't even finished yet. I also have reading homework, stats homework, and a sevenish page paper going on this week. Next week is busy too, but I don't even get the opportunity to relax because I have a lot going on over the weekend as well (which is unusual for me). But I haven't allowed myself to panic, which is half the battle. Once you give in to the panic or the stress and break down, it's so much harder to pull yourself together again enough to finish the mountain of things before you. Panic attacks are not fun, and should be avoided at all costs. A few things that might help you when you have too much to do: 1. Time manage. Carefully plot out what you have time for and what you don't, and manage what time you do have well. For example, if you have to read something for a class or for work and take the bus every day, read it while waiting at the bus stop or while on the bus. Maximize your time. 2. At the same time, don't try to cram too much into a limited time frame or your brain will fry. Just make sure that you account for the breaks you need in your schedule so you don't have a two hour break then not finish whatever you needed to finish or stay up until 3 AM and then end up running on no sleep. 3. Make sure you're eating real meals. When busy I know it's easier to grab a handful of chips or something but that's not enough to sustain you and you need your brain and your body at full capacity. I hope these things are at least somewhat useful and that whatever craziness anyone out there may be experiencing, that you're able to handle it. I believe in you. :)

Movies

I was feeling really depressed today. When I got home, I was at a loss of what to do, but I ended up perusing my limited selection of DVDs and came across She's The Man. I hadn't watched that movie since I was probably fourteen years old, so I figured, what the heck. I had seriously forgotten how funny that movie was, and literally laughed out loud every few minutes. When it was over, I couldn't help but think how much I needed to laugh like that. So if you are feeling depressed, I recommend watching a funny movie. Something so ridiculous and lighthearted and awkward it's guaranteed to make you laugh. I think I've mentioned this before, but laughter really, really helps. So watch a movie you like. It might help lift your spirits. If you want to go all out, make popcorn or hot chocolate and curl up under a big blanket. Make yourself comfortable, and enjoy. Sometimes we need to treat ourselves and take the time to relax. Comedies are a good way to go.