What does J.K. Rowling, Brad Pitt, and Dwayne Johnson have in common? Yes, they’re all famous. But that’s not the answer we’re going for.
Answer:
They’ve all previously battled with severe depression.
What is Depression?
There are tons of self-assessment tools out there were you answer a series of questions and total your score to see if you’re depressed or not. But put those aside for a minute.
Just be honest, and ask yourself the following:
- Is my sadness hopelessness?
- Does my sadness never seem to go away?
- Do I not see a light at the end of the tunnel?
- Do I honestly believe happiness isn’t in my future?
- Have I lost all motivation to do anything–even the things I love?
- Would I rather lie in bed all day rather than do the things I love?
- Do I think of causing harm to myself?
- Do I want to give up on life because I have no hope of things getting better?
Don’t Despair
If you can answer yes to any of the above, it’s time to question whether you might be more than just sad.
But don’t despair.
It’s important to always carry these two silver linings in your mind:
- Realizing you’re depressed is already a huge step forward. (Denial of how you really feel is a guaranteed way to be stuck in or sink even deeper into depression. Obviously, before taking the necessary steps to overcome it, you have to first recognize it’s there).
- As you take steps to overcome it, you actually have the potential to not only be stronger than before but stronger than most.
Remember that it is a journey.
Imagine if J.K. Rowling, Brad Pitt, or Dwayne Johson had not overcome their depression. Imagine how different the world of cinematic entertainment and literature might be.
Now, can you imagine that there was actually a time in their lives that they had no hope for their future?–That there was a time they couldn’t even fathom they would be where they are today?
However, in the lowest of lows, there is nowhere to go but up. During that climb, you can experience a profound journey of self-discovery and growth that most people will never have in their lifetime.
If you’re still thinking, ‘yeah that sounds nice, but that’ll never be me,’
- Keep persevering day by day.
- Be patient with yourself and allow yourself to mature at your own pace.
- Get the help and support you need.
- Continue to enrich your mind, body, and soul with positivity.
- And remember the two silver linings.
In time, hope, faith, gratitude, and joy will come more naturally.
Believe in yourself, take on your challenges, dig deep within yourself to conquer fears. Never let anyone bring you down. You got to keep going.
Chantal Sutherland