If you were to tell your past depressive self why YOU matter, what would you say?

Oftentimes, depression can leave us feeling "unimportant," or even "useless." However, those negative feelings stem from depression itself, not from reality.

Colloquially, people frequently use the phrase "important person" in reference to someone who holds a leadership position (e.g., activist leader, manager, CEO, president, etc.), a family member, a good friend, or otherwise "someone who does important things." When I talk about importance in the context of this thread, I am actually *mostly* referring to "someone who does important things." However, I want to stress that you do not have to be a leader to do important things. If you make a positive difference in this world in some manner, I think that makes you important. (At least that's what I say to myself. lol. )

If you were to tell your past depressive self why YOU matter, what would you say?

Kind off topic— Love this question because it makes you take a step back and evaluate strengths you might otherwise overlook. Just recently I was basically asked this same question by my therapist. The first thing I would tell myself is “you’re enough. You’re stronger than you ever give yourself credit for and you are in control.” I find myself saying little affirmations like that a lot lately. It helps curb the depression insomuch that I can still see a little hope at the end of the tunnel.

Now to the question — why do I matter? I’d tell myself that right now, it may seem I am unable to do anything and I’m a failure but every action I make matters. Getting out of bed that one day to pick up a few things. That matters , because that leads to more days doing what matters to me— things needed or things that make me feel better .... that leads to me being able to once again to good things, utilizing my talents for something great.

Of course, I have to know that when I’m not depressed— and I won’t be forever — I have worth, because my thoughts and feelings and abilities all matter , at least to me. At least to those I touch in life. And we all touch someone even if we don’t know it.

So, that’s my answer. It’s probably not what you’d expect but I think it’s reasonable.

I'd say I matter because my kids need me. That's usually what comes to mind when I start feeling suicidal.

I'd say "sarah you matter because you are the pebble in the center of a pond whose ripples are your actions that touch all the people in the world you will affect. Nothing you do is meaningless and there is always hope."

this is reall sad

I've been thinking and thinking, but can't come up with anything.. well, worthy. all I can think of is: because their is only 1 you, and your path is unique

but that doesn't really say why I matter. that's just a fact of life... we're all diffrent and we all have diffrent paths

Saddle up, Cyclist. This is gonna be the hardest thing you have ever done.

I would have liked to have known how bad it was likely to become.

Your family is emotionally and physically counting on you

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahsweets I'd say "sarah you matter because you are the pebble in the center of a pond whose ripples are your actions that touch all the people in the world you will affect. Nothing you do is meaningless and there is always hope."

I second this. We might not even have any idea of the lives we have a positive effect upon; that's not really our business, anyway. The ripples could go on to generations we'll never even know.

I'll add that my cats depend upon the enormous amounts of love I give to them. And my two children, though they might not be quite old enough to know it now, will realize a few years down the line that everyone truly does have only one mom, that the pure love and guidance they were raised with has helped to provide them with tools they need to become the people they've become.

I also second this..

Nothing Fuzzy does is meaningless

We do not have an idea of all the lives we have a positive impact on

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpcyclist Saddle up, Cyclist. This is gonna be the hardest thing you have ever done. I would have liked to have known how bad it was likely to become.

That's the freakin' truth.

I wouldn't say anything cause my depressive self doesn't hear what's said, it all gets distorted and twisted. I'd just sit in quiet patience and be there for myself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nammu I wouldn't say anything cause my depressive self doesn't hear what's said, it all gets distorted and twisted. I'd just sit in quiet patience and be there for myself.

That's wisdom there, Nammu