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 I was praying and God placed on my heart to pray for someone who is feeling down. God told me that this person feels like their life is lack luster. God also told me that this person is feeling hopeless and helpless. If this is you who God placed on my heart, I pray that God brings your soul peace and rest. I also pray that God takes away whatever is burdening you. If you don’t know, I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) when I was 15. Although I was diagnosed at 15, I’m pretty sure I’ve had it for the majority of my life.  God told me to share some of my coping mechanisms that have helped me to mitigate a depressive episode, work through a depressive episode, keep the positivity flowing, and maintain a good headspace.
The first thing that I do to cope with difficult emotions is affirm myself that this is only temporary. Psalms 103:15-16 says, “As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer.” I remind myself that what I am experiencing in that moment is only a vapor in the wind and it too shall pass.

I also make daily gratitude list and sometimes even a gratitude walk where the only thing I focus on are the things that are going right. Expressions of gratitude does not only provide value to the individual, it also benefits altruistic actions towards others (DeSteno et. al, 2010). According to Watkins, happy people are grateful people (Watkins, 2004). Additionally, if I am having a mental block in regards to the things I am grateful for I will ask myself, “what is going Right in your life right now?” “What are somethings you’re good at doing?”

Another coping mechanism that I employ is when I am brushing my teeth in the morning, I ask myself, “What can I do to make you happy today?” Usually it’s something as simple as doing yoga, watching my favorite TV show, going to the beach, or working out.

The next coping skill I employ is awakening my inner child. If you knew me as a child, you know my Meme’s favorite thing to say to me was, “Keep your legs closed! You’re a lady, you aren’t supposed to be jumping around or doing cartwheels in a dress!” When I’m in a funk, this has been the most freeing coping mechanism! Whether it be a handstand, cartwheels, round offs, backhand springs or back-tucks. So if you see me flipping around, mind your business! I’m just re-activating my inner child!! I challenge you to also awaken your inner child and do something you once loved as a little one.

Lastly, if nothing else works. I phone a TRUSTED friend. Once again, TRUSTED friend. Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loveth at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.” Friends are great sources of strength to rely on during hard times. I interpret proverbs 17:17 as a friend can become family during a time of adversity. There were many hard times where I felt like no one understood what I was going through. But luckily I had and still have a friend, who turned into family, to answer my call at anytime of the day.  The rule is, if they do it for you be willing to do it back. Another parameter I set for myself when phoning a friend is I trying not to trauma dump, I make sure to leave space for them to share what is going on in their life too.

To wrap things up, we are only here on earth for a small amount of time. The average age of death in the U.S. is 77 years old. If you’re 23 like me, that means only 54 summer left! Be sure to be kind to yourself, because it is all temporary.

Affirmations:

-This too shall pass.

– My feelings wont last forever.

-I can always find something to be grateful for.

-I can lean on others for support. Im not alone in this