Isn’t it funny how everyone knows so much about your depression? The super smart ones will even tell you how to fix it. How kind of them.
Since I became more open with my depression, I can’t help but notice the amount of advice I get. The people who don’t believe me change the subject. The ones that don’t know what to say just simply apologize. There’s a good friend or two in there that take the time to have a conversation about what is going on. But the select few — the over achievers — they really wanna fix me.
If I hear someone tell me one more time to “go to the beach”, I am going to bitch slap them. They say “You live in Hawaii, you can’t be depressed in Hawaii”.
It saddens me to my core that people think this is okay. It makes me think about the lack of empathy in their lives. The lack of education about mental health. And how little they care to understand what another human being is going through.
I can appreciate that they think they are helping me. I even give them the benefit of the doubt that they are just trying to do what they think will help. But at the end of the day, it does nothing but exhaust me and make me feel even more depressed.
Don’t they know how much I wish I WANTED to go to the beach? How guilty I feel for not taking more advantage of this beautiful place I live in? How nervous I was to tell them about my depression in the first place? Don’t they get that? Why can’t they get that?
These are some of the reasons I wanted to start this blog. I hope that I can educate people. That I can spark some conversation. Even if it’s just one conversation. I hope that somebody in the world will better understand what this evil monster does to people and how to help them.
My advice to these people?
Take the time to understand. Ask questions. Use Google if you must. Do something that will show genuine care and empathy. Try harder.
And to the sufferers.. Don’t close off. Try. Keep trying. Find someone that you need to understand and make them understand. Even it takes a while. We all need someone to understand us. Please try, I promise you’re worth it.
Chronic Relief 
Welcome to the fun world of blogging!
I do hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Your story is sad, interesting, challenging, and hopeful.
I do hope you keep up with the posting.
I am sure you will find it fun, fulfilling, purposeful, and meaningful.
I find I am able to write even when I am depressed and so it gives me something to do when I can’t do much of anything else.
Just the act of writing has all sorts of therapeutic benefits, even if no one reads what you write!
Don’t give up on blogging. There is all sorts of fun and useful information out there if you want to grow as a blogger.
Don’t give up on depression either. There is also all sorts of good info out there.
Keep up the blogging, you will wonder how you ever lived without it!
Wendy Love
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thanks so much for the encouragement, I so appreciate it! I write when I’m depressed too, it find it so helpful and theraputic! So I figured that this would be right up my alley! I’m so excited to see where it all goes! Thanks so much!!
xx
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Very good advice. I have a super good friend I can go to for anything. She listens. And she knows me so well so much that she can tell if I need only a listening ear or gentle nudge to keep moving forward. I’ve been recently dealing with chronic pain, for about the last 9 months. I’ve changed my diet, tried medications and finally am now being referred to a rheumatologist. Needless to say I have a terribly tough time with my attitude when I’m in pain. Thank you so much for sharing and being a source of encouragement. 🙂
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I’m so glad that you have someone you can go to! It is so important to have supportive people in your life!! Isn’t it incredible how much change you have to go through to deal with pain? I hope everything works out for you and you start feeling better!!
xx
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