I can’t get this phrase out of my head, “Do more of what makes you happy.”
A little back story to my Postpartum Depression
After Princess Sweetie Pie was born, I was suffering from Postpartum Depression. This was unbeknownst to me until she was almost 2 years olds. Crazy, right? This is more common than I knew.
As it got closer to Princess Sweetie Pie’s fourth birthday, I remembered the struggle Postpartum Depression had been for me until I got help. I was so fortunate to have a husband who recognized that I wasn’t “well” when I wasn’t even able to see it in myself.
Recently I’ve been reminded of this struggle. I JUST, as in JUST a week ago, went off of my antidepressant medication that helped me get back to “normal” for the past two years.
The first week without my meds was awful. I was a wreck; I thought I was going to break.
I was scared. The past two weeks had me questioning whether going off of my happy pills was the best plan. Maybe I will need them forever. Maybe I can’t feel normal without meds. I want to be off the meds. I don’t want to be numbing myself and chemically altering my brain forever.
So how can I get through when I’m in such a funk?
“Do more of what makes you happy.” It runs through my mind again and again.
How do I manage to do things that make me happy when life is so crazy and time is so limited?
Ask for help!
Do More of What Makes You Happy!
There are a few things that instantly come to mind when I think of being happy…
- Read a good book: Submerging myself into a story so I can escape my story.
- Painting/doodling/creating: Getting my “art” on really helps my mind focus on just what I am creating, leaving me feeling happy and relaxed.
- Gardening: This is probably my favorite way to feel better when I’m in a funk. I’m outdoors, making my yard pretty and immersing myself in a task that connects me with nature. I always feel calm and clearheaded after I spend time in my yard.
- Writing: I have always loved writing. I started journaling when I was very young and find it very therapeutic. Part of why I love being a blogger is my love for writing!
A few days ago, I started my day feeling down and I needed to find “my happy.”
First, I painted a chair, then started to pull weeds and work on my yard, followed by a trip to the local nursery with Princess Sweetie Pie (which was her idea!).
We browsed the nursery and enjoyed the beautiful flowers and plants. Next, we picked out a couple of additions for our fairy garden. We came home and gardened together. With my Princess Sweetie Pie, we found my “happy” even if only for a bit…
Now I can enjoy our garden creations and have happy memories when I’m not feeling happy.
I’ve spent this whole week focused on feeling good and doing more of what makes me happy. I went on a couple hikes, went to the beach, worked in my yard, and got creative. This week has been better than the first week off of my antidepressants. I understand that this is going to be a journey, but I think I can do this.
Have you ever struggled with depression? What are some things that make you happy? I would love to hear about it in the comments!
Tootles,
Hi there! I’m visiting from SITS and this post really struck a chord with me. I had postpartum depression after both my babies but after my second one is when my doctor realized what was going on and put me on medication. I liked the meds for awhile until I realized I wasn’t able to be excited about something or even shed a tear when I needed to. haha! Anyway, it’s been over 10 years that I have been off the meds and I’m pretty proud of that. I know it’s rough, having been there, and things that really helped me was setting a timer for 15 minutes and just busting through whatever was overwhelming me. I repeat a lot, “One bite at a time.” From the old, “How do you eat an elephant?” question. My current mantra when things seem a little daunting is, “I can do hard things.” Looking forward to getting to know you better.
Amee, thanks for the encouraging words! Congratulations on being able to cope without meds for all these years. I hope that I will be able to say the same, I’m just taking it one minute at a time and trying my best to be aware of being able to actually feel and deal with real life.
These are words to live by! It’s nice to meet you – stopping by from the SITS Tribe Challenge.
Thanks Christina, nice to meet you here too! Thanks for the comment love. 🙂
What a great reminder of how we need to find things that make us happy each day and actually “do” them. I couldn’t agree more but struggle with doing that all too often. I suffered from post partum depression with my daughter and it was a dark lonely place to be. You are right in that it is more common that people realize. Glad you found the help you needed and now are getting off the meds and back to a happy place. Stopping by from the SITS Tribe.
Alecia, sorry to hear that you have suffered PPD also. It’s such a struggle when it’s so misunderstood. Thanks for stopping by from the Tribe!
What a wonderful reminder that often times the best medicine doesn’t come in a pill box. I challenge myself every time I’m feeling down to find my “happy” as well, rather than dwell on my sadness. It’s really helped me grow as a person and discover my true passions in life. My instant cure-all has recently been my guitar. Thanks for sharing!
I think if I knew how to play guitar I would find it very relaxing too. Thanks for sharing your little secret to feeling better and finding your “happy”!