When Depression Strikes...

Last time I concluded the story of how I found my little nest. During that phase, I underwent a lot of emotional turmoil. Readers who were part of my journey so far would be able to recall the same.

What I had to deal with and how I dealt with what I had to deal with was as twisted & perplexed as this very sentence!

Since I published my last post, I was trying to assess what could be the next thing I would want to write about and share with you all.

I even asked this question on my Instagram handle (@shandilyakhushaboo) and other social networking platforms. One topic emerged as a clear winner and its victory was concerning!

Depression.

No matter where we are, which caste, creed or religion we belong to, what is our nationality, our age, our biology, nothing matters! Depression can strike anyone, anywhere, anytime!

So, what do we do ‘When Depression Strikes’???

Well, I am no Shrink (Psychiatrist) to be able to provide a full proof solution to deal with depression. So, please don’t keep any expectations from me and I apologize if some of you had already built up some heavy hopes!

I merely would like to share my view point in dealing with such crisis.

In order to find a solution, it is important to first understand the very problem in its entirety. We don’t have to be great scholars and scientist to know this ground level fact.

When a thing bothers us, we need to first try and evaluate whether this ‘thing’ really matters? Is it worth our time and efforts? Is it worth our pain? Is it worth our sorrow? Is it worth anything?

I know in moments of stress, everything seems meaningless and the most illogical thing seems to be the right thing to do! But we need to prepare ourselves well in advance exactly against this very weakness!

We can’t win a war without fighting. Drawing an analogy, if Depression is Enemy, Determination is the weapon to fight against it!

This is a simple rule and needs no explanation. So, let's be ‘determined’ to fight ‘depression’.

We need to be determined and vigilant in identifying the early signs of depression because when depression barges in with its might, there is no room to escape!

So, take small steps but please take them!

There are a couple of things that helps me; may be it can help you too.

Talk: Speak about your problems. Speak to your parents, friends, partner, spouse, relative, cousin, neighbor or your beloved pets! It doesn’t matter with whom you talk. What matters is that you talk. Talk to anyone who influences you for good and motivates you to be a better person. As long as you are able to resonate your feelings, it solves the purpose.

What purpose if you ask?

Purpose to not burden yourself with all the struggles of life.

Purpose of being more vocal about your feelings.

Purpose to seek advice when needed.

Trivial is Trash: When trivial things bother you for no valid reason, try to self assess as to why you are acting so stupid to let such small things bother you in the first place! Don’t let small hiccups in life take away your long lasting smile and happiness.

Let it go: We cannot control every single second of our life. We cannot direct our own story exactly how we scripted it! Life is no Silver Screen! Sometimes, Life sucks and we have to deal with that! When we are too controlling and things don’t turn up as planned, it causes a turmoil. Sometimes, it is okay to lose, it is okay when you don’t get what you desire the most, it is okay to have a heart break. When the outcome contradicts our expectation, accept it and let it go. We need to move on. We need to gather ourselves and come out of the self-cultivated organic misery of ours!

Cherish being content: Contentment is not merely a word, it can change our outlook towards life. We need to learn to value what we have than to crave for what we want. To either crave or to be content is in our hands. We should cherish what we possess and not feel upset or demented about what we couldn’t achieve. Happiness and Contentment complement each other. When they come together, there’s no place for Depression.

Love Thyself: Love yourself. Remember, there’s no other being in this World like you! Of course, we have flaws, but as I said in my earlier post, these flaws make us human. Love yourself for who you are. Emotion of depression is sometimes closely entangled with self-doubt and our inner insecurities. So don’t let any darn thing question your existence! Do not lose yourself in an attempt be someone else. Why to be ‘someone else’ when the entire World except for 'you' is exactly that!

Find Solace: In moments of deep sorrow, I find solace in God. I talk, I lament, I weep. What matters is that I feel good and relieved after I share all my sorrows, struggles, concerns with God. I might not get a solution to all my problems, but I do feel that a burden is lifted. I don’t feel heavy anymore. You cannot think straight if your mind is taken over by depression. So, like me, find your ‘solace’. Some find solace in God, some find solace in Nature, some find solace in Music, and some find solace in Art! It could be anyone or anything!

Seek Professional Advice: We are all strong human beings. We all want to solve our problems ourselves. That shows our strength. But accepting the fact that seldom we might need external help is also a sign of being equally strong. So, if nothing works, seek professional advice. These are the people who have been trained to help us in dealing with depression. So, don’t hesitate, don’t care how the society will react! We should not be affected by what others think of our actions; especially if that ‘action’ is for our own well-being.

So, this kind of sums up things that helps me deal with depression. I hope it would be of some help to you all! If not, then I at least hope it was a good ‘read’! ☺

I will soon come up with my next post! Until then, as I always say…

Stay Happy! Stay Safe!

Remember, nothing is permanent in life. Neither Happiness, Nor Sorrow. So, live in the moment.

After all, these little moments make up a lifetime!