"Faith is taking a step, even when you don't see the whole staircase."
Depression doesn't always look like a sad silhouette staring out a rain covered window. Often it looks like...well, us. As if the person is fine. Did you know that? For many suffering from depression, covering up the anguish is a daily routine. Making it so others don't have to worry. Making it so we can function appropriately when we have to. Making us feel as if there is some hope to faking it until we make it feel better and not empty or heavy. Depression does not always look like sadness. Sometimes, depression looks like a smile.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/laurasilver/this-is-what-depression-really-looks-like#.ymqQLjxQ0 "I get nervous what the future will hold. I can't trust the dark. But then the waves that touch my feet are much gentler than I thought they'd be."
Sharing stories over coffee, sharing hopes during walks, sharking secrets in whispers...when we disclose something personal, we wait for our conversation companion to say "me, too!" Be it a nod, a smile, or a verbal affirmation, these things signal that what we just shared resonates with someone else. It normalizes our experience, taking us from our lonely island to the party on the cruise ship. How important is normalizing? Think way back to your elementary and high school days. Do you remember wanting to belong to a group? To have friends who shared your interests, who wanted to spend time with you? Part of normalizing is finding a common thread and gaining a sense of belonging. To know we are not alone in what we experience, how validating! What a confidence booster! The initial "me, too" starts a cycle we are positively rewarded to repeat -- fear of being "the only one," sharing something personal, normalization, and then confidence. We begin to CRAVE the normalization and confidence, and why wouldn't we?! So, share your story with someone and feel the power of "me, too."
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Elizabeth HammerA healthier, happier you. Archives
April 2020
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