Friday, December 9, 2011

Depression in December - A Holiday Challenge

Hello Friends:

Long time no blog - well, a month, anyway.  I always forget how crazy the end of the year can be.  November is particularly sneaky since I try to do a lot of writing, but also have to clean up from my usual huge Halloween party, and then suddenly it is time to get ready for Thanksgiving.  Then the month is over.  And with the MIs, time does not seem to go by at a steady rate, anyway, with some minutes and some weeks feeling like the same length.  I'm sure you know what I mean.

Plus, okay, I've been feeling crappy.  I always get extra down at this time of year, along with many other people.  I've been spending a lot of time over at my favorite mental health forum, Crazy Boards, where, with the holidays on hand, there have been plenty of people posting about how depressed they are.  It really twists my heart, since I relate so strongly.  I wish I could write a note to everyone who feels depressed right now and say something that would actually help them.  (And me.)  Something that would actually be uplifting.  No words really help when you feel that rotten.

But I am tenacious, and I've decided I'm going to try anyway.  I was inspired by this really excellent holiday ornament.  I love snowflakes as a symbol, anyway, and this one is made of silver people all connected together.  A great image.

So here's the challenge, to myself, and to you if you want to join in.  I'm going to pick ten blogs from folks with MI, and I'm going to leave a message in the comments to try to lift their spirits a little.  Like a little online holiday card without the expense or generic verse.  I can't send holiday cards anyway since the pressure of not missing anyone makes me freak out.  In this case I've given myself a small, realistic goal.  Just a little something, a gesture. 

I have an ulterior motive, too, I'm afraid.  I think that writing these little messages might make me feel better.  I mean, I read a lot of blogs, and follow the lives of a lot of people online with MI.  It has made a huge difference for me, knowing I'm not alone.  Having people read my blog and leave comments here has helped to make me feel more validated, and more in touch with others.  It's all good.  So I think a few messages are in order.

As for the messages, well, already knowing that words barely make in impact on depression - what to write?  Well, that I enjoy and get something out of their blog.  That I hope they see how far they've come this year.  That I hope the New Year brings more healing for them.  Hmmm.  Not sure, but stuff like that, depending on the person.  Righto.

I have a few other ideas for making the Holiday more bearable, but that's for another post.  First, I have some messages to write!

Your Hostess With Neuroses

Image credit/info: Our First Tree by Tiger girl, on flikr via Creative Commons, CC 2.0.

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