When the day dawns and your eyes struggle to stay open as you drag your disheveled, groggy self out of bed to start the daily routine, please try to stay optimistic and hope that each new day would bring new beginnings and hope for a better tomorrow.
After I received a few mails over the last couple of weeks, which I choose to keep anonymous, I decided to write this post as a form of motivation for most people who will need it. Be rest assured that you’re not alone on this journey.
Perhaps you are in that phase where life feels bleak; don’t worry because there is hope for you. I understand how depression and anxiety can be agonizing to deal with, you feel so alone and hopeless. If you’re battling with this, I can’t say that I will give you the magical formula because I don’t know of any, but I can let you in on a little hush-hush,
‘You are not alone’.
Choose to be the protagonist who starts her day remembering that she has everything to be thankful for, and yes you actually do!
Like I shared in a previous post, as mothers, our days usually start with an array of routines from getting the kids ready for school to prepping meals and work, and the list goes on till the end of the day. Sometimes, it could seem monotonous but if we remember to laugh at the kids obscure jokes, their comic relief, appreciate the endless hugs and be grateful for even the littlest things, then it would be difficult to be constantly swept away by depression’s undertow.
Some of the red flag triggers to look out for could include issues like
· Anxiety
· Extreme unexplained tiredness
· Feeling like you just need to cry it out(most of the time)
· Lack of sleep, among others
· Mom guilt
When you battle with the above listed, including others like hormonal imbalance and after effect from meds, depression comes so easily. Don’t allow it, rather, hold on the your mental health and ask for God’s grace to see you through.
Once in a while, try to see the real version of you from your children’s perspective. If they can grow to accept and love you for who you are and what you are to them, then you should see this as a cue to be the best version of ‘you’ always.
Try as much as you can to ignore the pangs of sadness that may be lurking in the corner, waiting to be invited. Indulge in interesting activities, sing with your kids, read to them, tell stories, hang out, teach them, have some ‘me –time’…anything to distract yourself. Believe me when I say that acts like this will go a long way.
After all said and done, if you still feel the same way, then don’t hesitate to seek the help of a professional and pray to God about it. I know that it hurts to admit that one needs help sometimes but it will definitely click eventually.
No matter how you feel or whatever the day brings, always remember that your kids have chosen you to be their beam of light. Please make them proud and don’t ever let them down.
Together, you can shine!
Good luck!
XOXO,
Yours Truly.
