Cheer each other on, lift each other up, and push each other to keep giving our bests! When you reach out to support others the strength you gain can help with depression and/or anxiety you yourself feel. Lend a hand when you think you need one the most. We all have something to offer, we all have been on different journeys, but may have more things in common than you think. What you have gained from holding on in your journey may help someone else when they need it the most and potentially put your situation in different perspective!
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We lost my Dad 18 months ago and my Mom is very down, depressed, feeling weak and looking frail and very lonely in the big house they shared together for over 45 years. I want to help and feel a need to make her feel better … sometimes I know what to say and can be there for her, even when I am struggling…but it is important for me to also realize what I’m going through myself is valid and real, and it is ok to focus on my self care, step back and trust that others will be there for her.
In working with my life coach she reminded me how so much of the emotional energy I am spending on supporting her (and a best friend who is also deeply struggling with his addiction) could be spent on taking care of myself…then I can reach out and be that loving supportive person I want to be again. She reminded me of the old story that you are on a plane, it’s about to crash and the masks fall down. For me I then would immediately want to put the mask on my loved one next to be but in reality I can only truly be helpful if I put the mask on myself first! So I have a lot to offer my mom and others but right now I have to make my own self care the priority. There’s a balance between reaching out to support others or knowing when self care has to come first.
Yes, my Mom is really hurting and my first instinct is to rush to her aid, to be there 100% no matter how much time and energy it takes. But I am really struggling myself right now and the most important thing for me is to focus on my own self care! Today was my fifth day in a row with a migraine. They can be brutal, debilitating, not just the pounding headaches, but the incredible sensitivity to light and sound and the vertigo/dizzyness…and I feel weak & fatigued and can even feel worse the day AFTER a migraine; and I have been up at night with other health problems; have tweaked my back; and my Neuropathy has my feet and legs burning as always. These layers of physical health problems have created a window for my depression and emotional weakness to come in. I have to admit that it’s hard to not feel sorry for myself. Yet I have been calling and texting my Mom and my friend and expending time and energy I really don’t have to offer. This is my nature, as usual I have put others needs in front of my own☹️
I ask that if you feel comfortable can you please send me prayers or good energy while I negotiate this time. Today I’m the one needing the support…it is a time I am humbly trying to step back and ask for help…
#Depression #Anxiety #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Disability #BackPain #DiabeticNeuropathy #COVID19 #Migraine #Headache #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #PTSD #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #RareDisease #TheMighty #MightyMinute #MightyTogether #MentalHealthHero #Grief #LossOfAParent