Hey,
I'm relatively new to all this and only checked out the website this year. I just wanted to share with everyone what it felt like for me when I started to recover and get my old life back, because I remember how hard it was to imagine I went through my most recent bout of depression.
1. I can make decisions again! I no longer go food shopping and spend 20 minutes in each aisle trying to figure out what to get.
2. I notice when I do something well! I can feel pleased with myself when I finish an assignment.
3. What people might think of me no longer dictates what I do. I can chat to the friendly-looking lady on the bus and enjoy the conversation instead of wanting to escape.
4. I feel like the future is exciting again and I remember why I chose to do my course (Outdoor Education). When I was depressed I was not only feeling crap but also trying to re-plan my life around the new, unhappy 'me'.
5. I can help other people AND let other people help me, instead of feeling useless and totally reliant on my mum or dad.
6. I have energy- so much energy! I wake up and instead of the day seeming impossible it is now full of little enjoyments and happy moments. Sometimes I even stay in bed just because it's comfortable! (And not because I'm trying to hide)
These are just the things that came to me as I was writing this. There are many, many more. I would be interested to read what things you guys noticed during your last recovery, or at the moment if you are not currently affected by depression.
This movie is what made me want to write my list:
http://www.youtube.com/movie/the-crash-reel -If you have a spare $6 and a couple of hours I highly, highly recommend it. It is about a 21 year old (same as me) guy who gets a brain injury from snowboarding. His judgement of what he can and cannot do is affected by his injury much the same as I found with my depression. Unlike him though, my illness was not permanent and I am now enjoying me hard-earned perspective and sensitivity to happiness.
Thinking of anyone who reads this because they are trying to escape the constant misery that is depression. You're doing it tough. Try to be gentle and understanding to yourself during this period, that is how I first found some brief relief.
