Posted by Racer on July 10, 1999, at 13:06:23
In reply to Re: One more comment, posted by Judy on July 10, 1999, at 12:26:56
>
> I'm sure you're sick of seeing my name here, so I'll be brief.
NO!! Really, listen to this part: it really did save my life to have this board last week. I love to see your name. I love to see the names of the people who held out hands for me to hang on to, without even knowing me. Please feel free to post a million times to my calls. Thank you.Re: feeling good about the thought of a newly sewn/pressed seam. I just wanted to remind all of us that "normal" people take for granted the smaller pleasures in life - alas, so do we depressed people when we're feeling better. Your 'seam' comment made me recall myself standing at my bathroom sink several weeks ago, right after my AD had started to kick in, and I actually spent a moment admiring the lovely purple color of my Oral-B toothbrush! (A couple of weeks before that, I didn't even care if I had teeth, much less brushed them!)
See, that's because you haven't discovered the Butler G.U.M. toothbrushes! They come in even better colors! I'm glad you have teeth, Judy. They're very pretty on you...
>
> Sounds absolutely ludicrous, but I want to try to keep your seam and my toothbrush in mind when I get a little cocky and forget from whence I've come!Here's the serious part of all this: my therapist had a really good suggestion yesterday about this. She suggested making posters, on the computer or by hand, that showed the things that depression steals from me. Things like "Toothbrushes come in lovely, jewel-like colors" with a picture. Or, in my case, "A well pressed seam brings great satisfaction".
Also, my life is constantly stressful. I've made decisions in my life that landed me in the work I do now, and it's a struggle all the time. It's a satisfying struggle, and it was a choice that works for me when I'm not depressed. In fact, that's one of the signs of depression for me: I don't feel satisfied by what I'm doing, I feel stressed and overwhelmed. She suggested that I make a series of posters showing that the same things that make me feel overwhelmed and miserable are the very things that make me feel vibrant and alive when I'm not depressed.
There's a suggestion for you, too, Judy. Maybe I'll even scan a toothbrush for you when I make mine... Does it have to be a purple Oral B?
poster:Racer
thread:8493
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990628/msgs/8533.html