I know a few folks here suffer from depression. This free course from Yale on happiness just came to me so I thought I would pass it on. https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being Update 7/14 Found this article that leads to many others. Could be helpful. I am going to use the "emotional dairy" concept from it. I've been meaning to chart my moods for a while now and this offered a deeper level of doing just that. https://lifehacker.com/emotional-intelligence-the-social-skills-you-werent-ta-1697704987
I was actually just thinking about this earlier this morning. I sent her one of my blank Asphaerius toys a few weeks ago to have her be involved in a group art show I'm trying to piece together, but I haven't really heard or seen anything since then. I hope she is well!
Hey, I’m here. Sorry for the radio silence. I was in the hospital for the past month, just got out today.
Been going through a bit of personal turmoil here too, both internal and external. I'll have to give those links a perusal. Much love to everyone!
Sorry to hear about your hospital stay, Maddie. Hopefully you are on the mend now and happy to have you back among this misfit crowd.
Hope you're on the mend Maddie! SoS - The other day, I had lunch with Gord (Yardarm) and Itokin Park, and we were talking about your awesome collection. If your ears were warm, that was it!
Mental illness and depression are serious issues. Please do not think they are not. It does not at all make you any less of an individual for admitting that you are facing difficulty with anything. Please, talk to those around you. Even when it seems you are all alone, you are not. Seek out family, friends, even random internet forum weirdos - we are here for you. Failing that, many communities (and countries) will offer support lines where you can just talk to someone. Oftentimes, that might be all you need but could make a world of difference to you (and the ones who love you). This is why they exist, don't be ashamed or feel put off by bothering someone. Just a small step to reach out can open you up to a wealth of compassion, empathy, and understanding; through which you can come to see that things will get better. We have a lot of great support networks even here on SB, and visibility and support for agencies like To Write Love on Her Arms (@TiredChildren you rock man!) and many others which have been brought up here is excellent. It makes me very happy as a human being to know of people tirelessly and voluntarily giving their all to help others. You're not alone. Talk, rant, ask for a hug - it doesn't matter. You don't have to face everything by yourself. Please don't give up. Manly squeezes for anyone out there that wants them, and feel free to approach me in person at anytime for same. Stay strong, and try to take pleasure where you can in the simple things of life, even if it is toys - which, for a lot of us, has made an immeasurable contribution to getting us through tough times.
Hoping Maddie, Purple Bat and all who are fighting depression are blessed with friends and family who know that depression isn't something you choose (it comes uninvited), and who are willing to "stand in the fire" with them. Though it happens for many different reasons, so there's no one path out of depression that works for everyone, there are many that do work... and FWIW, this is one of the most hugely rewarding reads on depression (and fear, and other uninvited guests) that I've ever seen... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/136977.The_Places_That_Scare_You One of Chodron's most healing insights is that emotional suffering doesn't have to harden people... that it can open them to more compassion and love for other people, as well as themselves. She talks about some of the ideas here... Your mileage may vary. Wishing you all the best of whatever heals you the most... ...and BTW, if toys are part of the cure, care to name a few that would definitely put a smile on your face? I understand there's a Christmas raffle in these here parts...
