[shoelace]

When I'm feeling in a depressed state or part of one I tend to wallow in it - like I am letting myself explore the entire realm of what is going on.
Instead of taking self care I let myself go and have a drink or two. Not drunk, just want to find a mellow state of mind. I'm done with the tears.

Maybe I should explain this first and I don't know if anyone else feels the same - serious depression feels like an old familiar friend to me. Something I understand, something I know will pass and something I feel is part of who I am.

I blame no one for how I am feeling. I am responsible for myself. Sometimes I need to be alone so I can explore these feelings. I don't want to hurt myself I just want to let all of my worries in life come to the surface without being suppressed any more. Like a very raw wound. Every so often I feel the need for this to just happen. I have experience major episodes of depression since the age of 7. That is when I first started experiencing periods of just being really tired and wanting to cry.

There is no shame in feeling this way. It is an emotion.

I believe we are here on earth to experience life. Part of life has it's down moments. When I let my guard down and my negative feelings surface they don't last forever. I try to acknowledge them first. If I can identify what is triggering the episode then I know where to start

Starting includes seeking medical help and recognizing I need it. Medical or professional help or talking to a friend or this online group is a great place to start.

I don't feel depression should be feared. I think it has a place in our lives to explore ourselves.

There is nothing wrong with a good cry when you need it - male or female. there is no shame in it. There is nothing wrong in feeling lonely.

Right now I am overcome with financial worries, losing a dear friend because we are growing apart and going through the grieving process associated with that. I just need to let this all out so I can pick up the pieces and put one foot down in front of the other.

Physically I am drained. Exhausted. yeah I am painting my living room. One 3 foot section at a time. it will get done, it's therapeutic.

here is my question to those reading this - do you wallow in your emotions? If you do, what do you feel and what do you do to help get through them?

I try to keep regular hours, do something productive everyday no matter how small, talk to someone each day and remind myself this will pass.

Please talk to me. Please share. Maybe we can help each other.

[vital]

Originally Posted by shoelace

...
Physically I am drained. Exhausted. yeah I am painting my living room. One 3 foot section at a time. it will get done, it's therapeutic.

here is my question to those reading this - do you wallow in your emotions? If you do, what do you feel and what do you do to help get through them?
...

Hi there shoelace,

I used to wallow and ruminate, but I decided to stop. You might find these notes to be useful for that:

http://egg.bu.edu/~youssef/SNAP_CLUB...0164151576.pdf

At least sometimes, it works like magic.

Also, I'd definitely double check for medical or nutritional problems. There are lots of things that can drag you down that are not always checked for

http://forums.psychcentral.com/4262681-post105.html

- vital

[BlueCrustacean]

I like your attitude of not repressing negative emotions and being afraid of them. We shouldn't always be putting so much strain and effort into staying positive all the time. Negative emotions exist for a reason. This is why I have conflicting attitudes toward self-help philosophies. I can't go around very long with a manic, fake, straining grin on my face, doggedly fighting every last possible negative thought in my head until I'm too exhausted to fight it anymore.

It's very hard to find the fine line between not letting negative thoughts get to you, and repressing negative thoughts.

I guess it's just a matter of saying, "Hey, these are negative thoughts, and yes, they don't feel good, but they're here. It's just a matter of fact. They won't hurt me. They're just thoughts and feelings. I can decide what to do about them, or to do nothing about them."

Right now I'm having a serious sad mood day, so I'm sitting at my computer watching Craig Ferguson videos on YouTube to cheer me up. Sometimes I have a low self-esteem day, like having a sick day, where I just lay around and find things to cheer me up. This is one of those days. Eating something yummy, watching something that entertains me, curling up with a book, drinking hot chocolate, etc.

[shoelace]

I understand where you are right now. Some of the greatest works people have ever created have evolved from within a depressed state. Yes I agree it is hard to walk around grinning if you don't feel like it. That in itself is draining.

A time out to let things go so long as you are not hurting yourself or others is healthy. Suppressing feelings can actually pull you down deeper. These feelings often run their course. If you are on medication it can also be an indication for an adjustment.

That said at this time of year our bodies are changing with the season. Down time gives me the chance to let it out, let it go and allow myself to finally relax after my pressure valve has gone.

A period of recuperation. I'm watching Birdman right now - suits my mood. Micheal Keaton is amazing. My favourite line in the movie is when he is talking with himself about being washed up - he refers to now becoming an answer in a Trivial Pursuit game. I chuckled at that brilliant statement.

Yup - just chilling out too.

[shoelace]

Great links. Yes part of my moment is needing an adjustment to medication for this time of year so I have complete faith I will get through this. Yes I have taken action to see my doctor this week. Yes I am reaching out and checking in with people.

I like to make sure that while I am allowing myself to let the feelings flow out I am still maintaining a level of responsible actions so I don't become a going concern for the people I care most about. If/when I hit that point then it is usually a point where medical attention is required.

Really enjoyed the SNAP idea. Excellent. Thank you!

[tiger8]

Originally Posted by shoelace

When I'm feeling in a depressed state or part of one I tend to wallow in it - like I am letting myself explore the entire realm of what is going on.

I'm usually not focused on my emotional states but I tried this to see if it helps. I mean, some emotions came up out of nowhere and I decided to let myself get into them and stay there. That was for a few months this year. Both positive and negative emotions. I found it did not help at all. It did not change anything, I did not gain any understanding from it, I did not get driven to do something that moves me forward, I did not get relieved. Nothing.

So why do you do this yourself?