I'm just sayin

I've had a really good week, mainly because I've been off work. That always helps. I wrote down everything I did that was helpin me feel better, less depressed. Still doing all the things that help.

Now, I feel myself starting to go downhill again and I'm unsure why.
Maybe I really like the freedom of no work. (I do!) but have to work, bills you know.
Don't think that's it ya know.

Any ideas on how to stop the train to depressionville?

I'm just sayin, here I go again and I don't want to.

I struggle with this same issue as well, especially when there doesn't seem to be a direct cause as to why I am getting depressed. I would urge you to do anything that your therapist has recommended you do to keep your mood up. Journaling is always helpful to me and I would recommend that. Sometimes listening to upbeat music helps, or doing something that you really enjoy. If you are having issues of course talking to someone, a friend or a therapist is always helpful. I hope you get it figured out! Remember everyone here at PC is here to support you!

Thanks, journaling is a good idea. I ebb and flow with that and it would probably help.

Being mindful of your self talk can be an important element in staying out of depression. At the top of the Psychotherapy Forum is a sticky post about the 10 common cognitive distortions. People who become depressed often fall into the habit of telling themselves things that just aren't true (I think it's the depression telling lies) and evaluating things in an irrational manner

Sometimes when I am better, I start fretting about things. My thought is I have to learn to appreciate prosperity and keep living in the moment.

((((((((Justme41)))))))))))

For me, getting/staying undepressed is a function of doing something that's (preferably) creative, and interesting to me, and promises to be somehow useful.

Personal note: what I do for a living* is typically all three of those. When work runs short or I get rained in or something, I may fall back on inventing some gadget that will (maybe someday) make a job easier or writing a few computer programs to investigate something of interest to me. I've been known to find myself a bit depressed (and to go back to bed for an hour or two) if, say, I've gone to do a job for a customer but they've no-showed. That lasts only about as long as it takes me to find something else I want to do with the time.

(I do have a wry standing joke that when there's some interesting project I want to do, and I'm working steadily and have the money to do it, it's hard to find the time; but when work is slow and I have lots of time, I'm watching the money and seldom want to invest in an expensive project.)

^ Actually, the above information is a bit dated because more recently, my favorite creative activity has been reading/posting/participating in online communities such as PC.

(justme, how does any of the above work for you?)

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*Oldish cartoon. Woman with surprised expression, to man: "A professional nerd?! Can you make a living at that?"

[quote=Fool Zero;1342849]For me, getting/staying undepressed is a function of doing something that's (preferably) creative, and interesting to me, and promises to be somehow useful.

Good advice. Thank you.

The Five Champion Questions

The School for Champions philosophy divides Life into five major areas: Character, Knowledge, Excellence, Value and Health. To have a fulfilled life, you must succeed in all of these areas. By asking yourself five simple questions each day, you will be move toward a happy, fulfilled and successful life.
Questions you may have include:

• What are these five questions?
• How can answering them help me?
• Does this really work?

This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Five questions

Ask yourself the following questions every day:

1. What am I thankful for today?
2. What did I learn today?
3. Where did I do a good job?
4. Who was I valuable to today?
5. How did I take care of myself today?

What am I thankful for?

Character includes being honest, honorable, and appreciative. It is giving fair return for what you receive and not taking what isn't yours. I've moved thanks to a different area, just as I've moved helping people.
Appreciating what you have and receive enlightens your spirit and shows your character. A person who is thankful is often a person who is good.
You can be thankful for such little things as:

• I'm thankful that had a good breakfast this morning
• I'm thankful that my leg doesn't hurt any more
• I'm thankful that I have some good friends

Ask yourself: "What am I thankful for today?"
What did I learn?

You should be able to learn something every day, no matter how old you are. Observe and be curious. There is so much to learn in life.
There are many things you learn:

• I learned a better way to use the Internet browser
• I learned where I can buy clothes on sale
• I learned a new skill at work

Ask yourself: "What did I learn today?"
Where did I do a good job?

Doing high quality work in what you do is important to you and to others. This includes improving the way you do things.
Look at good areas and where you can improve:

• I did a good job on my homework
• I did my best in painting the fence, but I could improve
• I was very thorough in cleaning out the garage

Ask yourself: "Where did I do a good job today?"
Who was I valuable to?

Helping others get what they want makes you valuable. This includes taking an interest in what someone has to say, being friendly, and being considerate.
There are many situations in which you have been valuable to others:

• I was valuable at work by helping the company make a profit
• I was valuable to my little daughter by playing with her
• I was valuable to the checkout clerk by being friendly to her

Ask yourself: "Who was I valuable to today?"
How did I take care of myself?

Taking care of yourself means that you made an effort to be healthy. You may have eaten healthy foods, exercised, or avoided abusing your body with bad substances.
Check on how well you have taken care of yourself:

• I took care of myself by avoiding eating those greasy--but tempting--bacon strips
• I took care of myself by doing some moderate exercise today
• I took care of myself by washing my hands before eating

Ask yourself: "How did I take care of myself today?"
Answering questions

You don't really have to formally answer these questions to feel good. Just asking them sets your subconscious mind in motion. You can't help it, but you will give yourself an answer to each question.
Writing down the answers is probably more effective in the short run, but human nature dictates that most people would soon stop writing things down after a while. The most important thing is to ask the five questions. Try to do it every day, perhaps at the end of the day.
They are reminders to keep you on the right path.
It works

These five questions summarize what life is about. By asking yourself the questions and subconsciously answering them or being reminded of the way to be, you will improve your life.
They are reminders. They're a form of affirmation. They let you realize that you doing well and feeling better about yourself.
Summary

Ask yourself the five champion questions and answer them if you can. Try to do this every day, if you can. Your perspective on life will change, so you move toward more fulfillment.

This is a great post! Thank you.