Hi justfloating... thank you for sharing. You speak for many of us who have walked in your shoes.

Something jumped out for me too. Maybe because of something TheByzantine shared with me about distorted thinking. I imagine you can appreciate how our depression distorts our thinking. One of the points was to not compare ourselves with others because we can't know their story. You mentioned admiring Jane Arden for having a demeanor of confidence. If you were to research her story you would find that she herself battled with depression and other mental illness symptoms on her journey to where she is today. Yes she is a woman of courage and strength but that was not always how she felt. Like you and me she had to fight her way back to be who she is today and it is likely that she had her good days and bad days, just like us. Like her you too can know who you are and exude confidence and strength. It won't happen overnight but day by day as you affirm yourself those gifts you may not see right now will expose themselves. Ask a friend to give you a list of qualities about yourself that they see in you and then own them.

You are clearly a bright and articulate young woman who has already demonstrated tremendous courage and strength to have journeyed through the 3 steps you mentioned. Those same qualities will bless you as you learn to live again.

Celebrate yourself. You are awesome. You are someone's Jane Arden for having made it this far. Truely!