Tag: mental health and wellness

What a month it’s been. When I started this online chronicle of my depression, my goal was to show people that depression can sometimes look very different than the sad-sack-on-the-couch-eating-junk-food stereotype. Sometimes depression wears heavy makeup and does its hair. Other times it puts on a little lip gloss and calls it a day.

I didn’t realize just how closely connected my anxiety is to my depression. As a result this ended up being a chronicle of both anxiety and depression. For me, my anxiety builds up, then leads to depression because I am so anxious I don’t want to deal with anything, which makes me depressed. It is a vicious, horrible cycle that can be challenging to break.

I used a very arbitrary system to rank my depressive feelings, and if I were to do this online chronicle again, I would work out a different scaling system that looks at anxiety as well.

On this final day of the month, I am doing okay – some anxiety over money, per the usual, but in a relatively good mood. I voted early, thanks to the DMV getting my new license to me so promptly, and I’m glad to have that done. Now to spend a relaxing night with the cats, watching Hulu or Netflix.

Thanks to all who commented, here or on social media, and shared their support and encouragement.

A decent day with some irritability over trivial matters. Finished a sewing project I’d been putting off for a couple months, which was a good feeling. That said, there are some errors in the finished product that annoy me, but I’m not sure that I can fix them without getting more annoyed. One of those matters that need to be slept on in order to make a decision.

I also felt overexposed to political news today and that definitely lended to my irritability. I was at Pops’ for a couple hours this evening and he kept putting on news stations which are 24-7 presidential election nonsense. I’m oversaturated at this point and it’s stressing me out. Fortunately he changed the channel to Gran Torino, the movie featuring a grumpy Clint Eastwood dealing with his irritability and racism. It comes full circle.

I have a touch of the Sunday night blues but a glass of Zin is quickly mellowing me out. Today was a 8 out of 10, with a couple 7 moments.

After several high stress days in a row, I decided to take it easy today, which made for a good day. Went to Pops’ house and had a nice lunch and long visit with him and his girlfriend, then came back and did my nails. I also felt extra cute in my pink beanie that cousin Sasha knitted for me. Today was a 8 out of 10.

Another long, busy day. Some moments of anxiety and the corresponding moments of depression, but the busyness of the day meant I didn’t dwell on those moments for too long. Made some chili in the Crock Pot that turned out great – a good home-cooked meal, along with some nice wine, always soothes my soul. Last night an old friend invited me to Thanksgiving at her house, too, and the good vibes from that conversation also resonate today. I didn’t feel super fantastic, but I also felt better than a 5, so I’d say today was a 7 out of 10.

Another long day dealing with the DMV, including an unexpected trip to another DMV office because the first one was having computer issues and couldn’t access the information necessary to register my car. But it’s all done now and I won’t have to deal with it again for another 2 years.

My anxiety went up as the day wore on, again related to money matters. Not having the time to pursue business leads or apply for jobs because I’m stuck in lines is frustrating and stresses me out. I think there is a part of me that likes the heightened stress/anxiety because I seem to put myself in these situations so often. I need to knock it out.

Today had some lows and highs, but all in all I’d say it was a 5 out of 10.

Today was a long day of dealing with lines and forms and paperwork. Spent over an hour at the DMV getting my driver’s license, then spent another 30 minutes or so getting auto insurance. It wasn’t horrendous – the woman at the DMV gave me some unexpected good news, but I won’t find out until tomorrow if the information she gave me was correct. Oh yes, I have to go back tomorrow. I know how to party.

While the day was long and involved way more driving than I anticipated, I didn’t experience too much stress, anxiety or depression. Still having some financial anxiety and doing my best to keep it at bay. I’m using several new affirmations I picked up from the Louise Hay documentary, and they are helping bolster the ones on my regular rotation. Today was a 7 out of 10.

The word for today was serendipity. Much needed funds arrived, I got a letter from a pen pal I hadn’t heard from in a while, and on the way into DC I met a young woman visiting from Paris, which meant I could try out my French skills a little (I understand much better than I speak). She was heading to the Air & Space Museum and I offered her my extra ticket for the new African American History Museum, which she happily accepted. We had a nice time chatting and checking out the museum, but we got separated in the crowds before we exchanged contact information, and I looked for her and waited a little while, but didn’t see her again. I’m still bummed about that, but it’s possible we could reconnect – I did get her full name and I’ve tried googling her, without much luck, and she got my full name. It sounds a lot like the heterosexual version of Serendipity, the movie with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale.

What’s funny is that if we hadn’t gotten separated, I would have never wound up in a hotel off Pennsylvania Avenue, where an event I’d wanted to check out was happening. This was unplanned, as I didn’t originally look to see where the event was held – I managed to be in the right place getting a decaf Americano at the right time, when I saw people wearing badges for the event. I arrived right when their social hour was taking place, so I stopped in – okay, okay, I crashed it – and looked for someone I know who was attending. I couldn’t find her, but instead I found two potential clients and a very interesting array of attendees in Regency costume.

All these things combined made for an amusing day, and I keep laughing when I think about the chain of events. The universe has a great sense of humor. Today is a 9 out of 10.