Early warning Signs That things are not going well…
Mind Racing / Downward Spiral
It starts with a simple word or scene you see. Then all of a sudden your mind is in control and taking you down memory lane‘s evil twist twin. It even has such a firm grip on the wheel that it is very hard, if not impossible at times, to get some control back.
Excessive Sleeping, Tired, Drained, Anxious, and Panicked
16 hour fasts are so easy to do when you are unconscious the whole time.
Trying to accomplish a task, and you just can’t get out of your own way?
Is it the voices and feeling in the corner of your mind poking at your wounds to see if you still feel? What’s next? Am I safe?
Increased Irritability / anger
Just like a tiger in cage, if you feel threatened constantly or on red alert - I always found for myself that I was much easier angered or frustrated.
Lack of Trust
When past experiences show that trust is usually violated and people usually leave, it is hard to trust anyone or anything - and to do so will take a lot of effort.
Withdrawn
Just wanting to be left alone or be alone, no matter how many people are around you.
Junk Food Cravings
Peanut M&Ms, Doritos, Cheetos, Donuts, Pizza….shall I continue….
Getting Away from the Things that keep me Sane
As the old adage goes, “it worked so well I stopped doing it.”
Well, that is very easy to do when feeling drained, shamed, and worthless. But letting it get a foot hold makes it even harder.
The Timeline of Negative Signs
How did my Warning Signs progress throughout the hard times?
Signs to depression in this sequence as I have noticed:
- Racing mind / Downward Spiral
- Tired and moody
- Loss of motivation to stay fit/movie binging during day (longest stretch-couple weeks?)
THEN the rest happens rather quickly
- Craving junk food (less than a week then then remainder is within days maybe hours of each other)
- Sleeping lots/ feeling of being tired all the time
- Impatient and less understanding of others situations (internal feeling of yourself doesn’t matter to others despite the other persons issues are not related to you/ reading into things incorrectly, which you usually have a great sense of)
- Irritable/ quick to agitate especially to minor things that happen throughout a given day at home (happens earlier in the stages too but is more noticeable and ramped up after this sequence of events)
Coping Strategies that worked for Me
Taking up an Instrument
Taking up an Instrument
Taking up an Instrument
Learning a new skill was what was asked, and learning music I noticed also opened up new was of thinking that have helped when I am able to use them.
Journaling
Taking up an Instrument
Taking up an Instrument
Write it all down somewhere safe and secure. I use a Kindle Scribe and have about 40 or 50 journals.
I write it out of my head. If I write it down I don’t have to worry about remembering it and I don’t have to think about it any more (hopefully).
Music Theraoy
Taking up an Instrument
Be Grateful & Daily Gratitudes
I like to put together playlist that help me reflect my emotions and feelings, and usually I transition to a happier tune.
I also use playlists for Anger Diving, Emotional Immersion, Affirmations, and Meditations.
Be Grateful & Daily Gratitudes
Be Grateful & Daily Gratitudes
You direct your mind to see more of what you think of. So be grateful, be happy.
Sounds great in theory, but sometimes it seems impossible to do.
Well, try writing 1 Gratitude in the Morning, then add 1 at night too.
Then build from there, and watch your day change to appreciate things a little more.
Plant something
There are so many last cultures that have beliefs around planting something to make you prosperous, happy, or anything of the like.
It give you something to take care of, worry about, and so on. You are doing something good, which will benefit someone other than yourself.
Flower or Veggie Seeds, Bonsai, Niwaki, Potted plant or cacti, and so on. Find what works for you, and experiment.
Worst case scenario, you learn how to grow something.
Reading & Philosophy
I have always enjoyed philosophy, but with my last adventure I found that the Stoics and Ancient Asian Philosophers provided comfort in a trying time. Then Brian Cain’s 10 Pillars Book helped bring it together for me and help guide me to my next step.
Meditation
Help Others / Volunteer
Help Others / Volunteer
We are always looking for something else to do, hear, say, read, write, and so one.
Silence is scary, try it for more than 5 minutes. After awhile it is peaceful, and you want more. Close your eyes, leave them open. Sit in nature, go for a walk, or whatever is going to bring a smile to your face.
Help Others / Volunteer
Help Others / Volunteer
Help Others / Volunteer
Doing good for others is a great way to feel better about yourself, and you may even meet some new people that are like minded.
Daily Devotions
Help Others / Volunteer
Daily Devotions
I am not here to tell you what to believe or not, but what I can tell you is knowing that there is something bigger than just yourself adds some comfort. Be it God, the Universe, Mother Nature, etc.