Depression vs life

Having depression can make life hard. Those days where you are unmotivated and painfully numb on the inside yet you have so much left to do are the worst days. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 350 million individuals worldwide suffer from depression. Just imagine this: 350 million people, that may or may not include you, all going through the motions of life and struggling. For some, depression can be debilitating to the point where even the simplest tasks like getting out of bed in the morning is an emotional challenge. Life is a balancing act and the last thing anyone needs is their depression throwing everything off kilter. 

There are times where I feel this way. Either I'm hyper emotional or numb going through the motions of my life when the depression decides to remind me of it's constant dwelling inside me. Being on either side of the emotional spectrum is a challenge when you are trying to, and enjoy getting your work done. The depression robs me of the motivation or the satisfaction of doing my work, which makes it harder for me to see a reason to do work during the period of time where the disorder is at its peak. I don't like to use my depression as a justification for quitting anything or giving up. 

My advice may seem contradictory, but I promise that it will make sense. For those of you like me who are determined to keep on going and fighting; then do just that. Don't let your depression keep you from doing what you love most. For those who feel beat down by your depression and rather not keep fighting it, that is perfectly okay. Some people need a break and you are justified in getting one for you. This doesn't make you weaker than anyone else; it just means that you handle your emotions in a different way.  You can take that break and come back even stronger than before. Whatever works best for you is the best way because only you know you. 

Life is a challenging thing, we all get this. Then there are those of us who have depression (or another mental disorder) and the fight becomes that much harder. But remembering to follow whatever will maintain the balance is the best way to minimize however badly things turn. 


Cassandra Diviak