Fake it til you Make it!

[Jezture]

I am going thru a depression at the moment- just got off a month and a half anxiety/irritable manic- I will most likely be in this phase of my cycle until after christmas til the first week of january. I am getting used to the cycle and how to deal with it and felt i could share some things that get me thru the tough times.

1. Fake it til you make it- tell the people who need to know you are depressed- your SO, your Dr, your therapist- no one else needs to be able to tell!

I know you don't want to move but do it any way- make your bed every morning- even if you plan on crawling back into it in 4 hours for a nap!

SELF CARE

Get showered and get dressed every day- NO this does not mean sweat pants! Jeans or nice pants or capris or shorts or a skirt or dress! No one feels pretty in sweats!

Brush your hair! I know its a hassle and no one cares anyway (so you feel) but I promise you you will feel better after dressing and brushing and pulling back your mop top!

Use a little make-up- I'm not a cover girl but I have found that a little eyeliner, maskeria, and or lip gloss goes a long way. Besides all "dolled up" might garner you a complement from someone and who doesnt feel better when told they look nice?

HOUSEWORK

I know you dont feel good- you are tired, stressed, moody, and feel like the least little task is insurmountable but broken into little pieces you can do it!

I love lists for this! There are many places online to find cleaning lists already made- OrganizedHome.com is my favorite. Print out a list and get going one little thing at a time.

If nothing else do the dishes and vacumm every day- use a little carpet deoderier to make the house smell good at the same time! The smell will help you feel better too, I bet.

Try to do at least one load of laundry every day- this gets overwhelming quick and one load a day is MUCH easier than 7 on the weekend!

OTHER

Try something new. Read a new book- about anything but I usually choose something about decluttering or another skill like cooking or frugality that I feel like I am doing something productive.

Continue with a hobby or craft- even if you aren't feeling it at first the repetition of the activity will bring back memories of a happier time and might help you out during the dark times.

Go out for coffee with a friend- you might not feel like seeing anyone but pushing people away only hurts them and you in the long run. Try to maintain relationships, even if only by phone, it will serve you well in the long run.

Thats it- i am no professional but I AM a Bipolar mom living with three great kids and a great husband who support me and live with my ups and downs daily.

[Serenity75]

Dec. 10, 2009 at 6:20 PM

I think those are great tips for anyone to use!  Thanks the post!

[Nonoluna]

Dec. 13, 2009 at 1:20 PM

This is fabulous and I wish more people understood that there are things that we can do to help ourselves, even a little. It's a MASSIVE effort but it does get easier. We don't have to be prisoners of mood disorders.