“Changing the world starts from a change within.”
Bring Your Mess and Leave With Peace
The holiday season is upon us, which means that we are all a little stressed out. We stress over throwing the best parties for friend or family get togethers. The perfect party has both delicious food and just the right ambiance. There's stress from trying to find the perfect gifts for friends and family. Let's not mention all the price tags from those gifts adding up in our bank accounts. We put so much on our plates this time of year, it can feel like we are going to some sort of event everyday for an entire month. If you are one burdened with mental illness, it can make the holiday season even more of a struggle.
I just can't; the depression roller coaster
Depression and anxiety are those dreaded and never ending life struggles for those who deal with them. I wish I could say that once you're out of the woods after getting some help, you'll never have to take a step back in. I wish I could say that everything once you're out of those woods is all sunshine and rainbows. However, it's not that simple.
You are worthy of unconditional love
As humans we often feel like we aren't good enough. Whether it is something horrible we've done, a deep or ugly thought towards someone else, or even feeling a lack of strength battling illnesses. We can feel as though we are unloveable if someone really knew everything about us. Feeling worthy of a perfect and unconditional type of love seems far fetched, because we are in bondage over our own brokenness.
Holidays vs. mental health
This time of year is the worst for those who deal with any sort of mental health issue. Yes, the “most joyful" time of the year is actually the worst for some of us. If you're new, my name is Jillian and I battle depression and anxiety.
Your heart won’t stop coming after me
11 years ago when I was just 19 years old, I was at my very lowest in my anxiety and depression. So low that I attempted suicide. In my darkness I thought I would make everyone else's lives better by leaving this earth. I felt worthless as I took handfuls of pills of many kinds. In the midst of my total darkness I got a phone call from a friend.
Meet me in my pain
Let's be real. When struggling with anxiety and depression, it isn't always full blown. Yes, some short or long periods of time it is. In those times of pain, people don't really know how to react.
Feeling completely stuck
Have you ever been out hiking before and end up walking straight into a pile of thick mud? You know that feeling of trying to get out of it but you're just completely stuck?
The darkness of depression
Coming from someone who struggles with depression, we don't really open up about the things we think or feel. It's tough to be honest with others, because the thoughts that circle around in our heads can be pretty dark. I have even been torn on whether to post this and share my journey this much with the world, so why am I deciding to be open about it now?
Life as a Mom with Depression
When I was diagnosed with depression at 18, or when I attempted suicide at 19, I never imagined I could become a mother! At least not while living with this mental illness. I mean, you would think those two don’t go hand in hand. A mom is involved. A mom is loving. A mom gives her all. But what happens when you are unable to be involved, unable to be loving, and unable to give your all?