Perfect in my Mind

Perfect in my Mind

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Struggling Happiness

Hi.

I haven't gotten very personal on my blog for awhile.  I don't classify myself as an entirely serious person, and don't often feel comfortable sharing details about my personal  life.  But, today I did something out of my comfort zone.  Today I guest posted over at Sara's blog:  Struggling Happiness.

This post has been on my mind for awhile.  I know several people who struggle with depression, and have kept silent about my own battles with this disease.  I feel that by sharing, maybe I can help someone who is going through what I have dealt with in the past.  Depression hasn't been a defining part of my life for awhile, but it was a debilitating part of my young adult years.

If this is something you deal with--or have dealt with--I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter.  Here's the link to my post on Sara's blog:

http://strugglinghappiness.blogspot.com/2011/09/welcome-chelsea.html

10 comments:

P! said...

Chelsea, I am so happy you opened up about this... what an amazing post. I guarantee you that it has and will touch more people than you know. Depression is odd, because we see a beautiful, happy, funny, smart (did I mention beautiful?) person and to think of hating on someone like that is awful, much less when the hater is oneself! This was an incredible post. You are simply amaze.

Deveny said...

I love your tips! I struggled with anxiety a few years ago (seemingly out of the blue) & could barely go outside my home without a full blown panic attack. While medication helped me, I too think what really got rid of the anxiety all together was counting my blessings, being selfless and taking time to find things that made me happy. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. :)

Courtney B said...

I am checking out your post now! Just know that I love you Chels, and I think you're amazing for opening up about this. You'll definitely touch lives with it!

Kristen said...

Thanks for sharing! I think a lot of people would be surprised how many people suffer from depression. Nate working at the pharmacy sees SO many people that we know and walk amongst daily that also suffer from it (he won't tell me who/nor should he because of privacy laws)I myself have struggled with it. I think I have always had it a bit but especially over the last 2 years. I was on meds and everything. Life is hard sometimes. I would have never guessed you were one to suffer from it. Mostly because you always have that gorgeous smile planted on your face. Good for you for letting your light shine even when things are tough. I admire you a lot. Thanks again for sharing.

Evan Becky said...

Great advice! I often have that, "why would anyone want to hang out with me," feeling. Just knowing that I'm not alone has helped a lot, even though I don't necessarily think that I have clinical depression. I like the advice to serve other people. It's something that I've strayed away from thinking that I would just get in others' way, but knowing how good your comments on my blog make me feel, I'm going to have to step out a little and try it. Thanks so much!

Lara Neves said...

Chelsea, I have never been depressed until I moved to Cedar City and it took me a really long time to recognize it for what it was. (I think it may have been postpartum with Sophia). It's never really gone away, but I have learned what helps. Your tips are awesome. Thanks for putting yourself out there to help others.

Cindy said...

I read your post at Struggling Happiness, and I completely understand. I was the same way as a young person, though I didn't go on medication until I was a sophomore in HS, and that didn't end in the best way.

I'm glad you opened up about this part of yourself because too many people struggle with this...I always hear this too, like what P said, the people that put up the best fronts are usually the ones who have struggled the most with their own demons. Not always, but more often than most think.

Robin Cole said...

I'm so glad you opened up about this! I actually just started treatment for my anxiety issues. It's absolutely terrifying to admit that you can't handle it anymore, because there's so much stigma attached to taking a medication. I'm sure everyone here can agree that a medication is NOT the first thing most people try - it's the absolute last. However, if I would have known that I could have resolved my anxiety issues this quickly and thoroughly with help from a medication I would have done it years ago. I hope that you can help others by sharing.

Robin Cole said...

I'm actually going to do this on my blog, too. It's hard to do this alone, and I'm definitely well enough now to share a bit. Look how inspiring you are!

Hope Wiltfong said...

Thanks so much for sharing. Hopefully this will help someone to get help.