Let’s have a real and raw conversation about something that matters deeply to- and affects many of us: depression and anxiety. This is especially important for those who don’t experience these often or at all.
DEPRESSION
I want to have an honest conversation about depression and anxiety.
Depression can feel like numbness or indifference–it’s like the world had all the color and sparkle sucked out.
It’s a pit of despair. An endless well where you drown in hopelessness over and over. It’s heavy and exhausting.
It can make getting up some days feel like you’re getting ready for a battle you know you can’t win.
The barrage of negative self-talk is like a thousand piercing arrows being hurdled at you wave after wave after unyielding wave.
It’s as if you’re Sisyphus, from ancient Greek mythology, who was forced to roll a boulder up a hill for all of time.
Or like Atlas, also from Greek mythology, usually pictured holding the world on his shoulders, who was condemned to hold up the heavens for eternity.
Talk about blah! Now imagine living there–for days/weeks/years at a time! It totally blows.
We haven’t even touched on anxiety and how it gets mixed in yet!
ANXIETY
Anxiety can feel like a panic attack as if everything in and around you is moving but you are completely stuck, frozen in one spot.
It’s the constant worry that others are judging you, or that you’re going to miss something, or constant reminders of how everyone else is better and/or above you in some way.
When added on top of depression, it’s so full of SHOULDS, RIGHT/WRONG, CAN/CAN’T…it’s a tornado of negative thoughts that are as explosive as land mines.
It’s basically your brain blaspheming all over your soul.
MY POINT?
The whole point of this little rant is to remind people that depression and anxiety don’t just come out in the winter months. They don’t always just hang around for short stints. They aren’t things that can just be shaken off.
They aren’t things that are fixed by other people saying:
🤮 Pull up your boot straps
🤮 You just need to get out and have some fun
🤮 Put on your big person panties
All of those phrases are toxic in our society and I urge you not use them–especially with someone you love (and most importantly, with yourself!)!
Instead, try one of these:
😘 Do you want some alone time or do you want some quiet company?
😘 Is there anything you need that I can do to help you feel more comfortable?
😘 I know things are hard right now and you’re doing your best. I love you.
COACHING VS THERAPY
Are coaching and therapy the same thing?
How do I know if I need a coach or a therapist?
Check out the slides below to learn some of the differences.
If depression or anxiety are messing with your everyday functioning (e.g. going to work, eating, showering, etc.), please seek help from a licensed medical professional. As a coach, I can be a supportive addition, but when daily functioning is impaired, a coach is no substitute for a licensed medical professional.
IF YOU NEED HELP
For those facing mental health crises or thoughts of suicide, remember, you’re not alone—call or text the U.S. national hotline (988) or click here to find international crisis hotline numbers.
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