How I got myself out of a depressive state PT. 2

Recently, maybe a few months ago, I realized how unhappy I was. I realized that I was going through life...not living it. One day, I woke up and decided that I was tired of being unmotivated. I was tired of feeling down. I was tired of living with my head in a fog. I was tired of just EXISTING and wanted to live again. It was hard...I won't lie. You start to get comfortable just existing, it almost seems easier. I think it is easier. It's so easy to be unhappy, to blame others for your lack of whatever. Being happy truly does take work. So one day, I woke up and decided to get to work. This is the continuation of my journey.

Fourth. I challenged myself. I challenged myself to create something EVERYDAY. Everyday, it didn't matter what it was or through what medium, I had to create something. I am naturally creative...some may say artistically gifted, so when I don't create for long periods of time...my positive energy goes down. Whether I was drawing, singing, photoshopping, writing, blogging, photographing, videotaping, public speaking, cooking...it didn't matter. I HAD TO CREATE EVERYDAY.

Fifth. I got rid of the stuff that didn't make me happy. Although some stuff was harder to get rid of and it made me sadder at first...I had to do it for me. That included what I watched on television. I decreased the amount of drama I watched on the television and focused on the shows that either stimulated my mind or inspired me. I have to admit Oprah's Lifeclass was a MAJOR help for me.

Sixth. I imagined myself happy. I imagined the smile on my face, the warm feeling inspired, the sense of "in this moment, despite everything else, I AM happy." I started to do that before bed and when I woke up. Eventually, I noticed that for no reason at all, I started to smile more. I started to fall asleep with a smile of my face and waking up with a smile on my face. I noticed that I noticed things more...positive things...like the sun shining.

Seventh. I stopped existing and started to LIVE! I re-instated my membership at the gym, called my trainer, and started to (for the first time ever)enjoy jogging. I made the effort to go out alone and do things for me, but I also made the effor to call and hang with some old friends. I didn't have the funds to do EVERYTHING I wanted, but I was able to do everything I needed to get back to my joy.

I encourage everyone if they are feeling down or are even depressed, before taking to the meds, consider really thinking about what is making you unhappy then take the steps to get yourself out of that state and be happy again. I think the best quote to sum it up is as follows,

"When you discover the world around you, you'll discover the world within you."
       -Unknown

The fact that I made and make the effort everyday is why I think I got myself out of my depressive state because it's in the effort that you start to shine...not in the end result.

How I got myself out of a depressive state PT. 1

I have a confession.

Recently, maybe a few months ago, I realized how unhappy I was. I realized that I was going through life...not living it. Can you imagine? Imagine going through life not enjoying the sunshine, the happy moments, the good times. I had realized that I stopped being happy for myself and started to seek happiness in material things and in people...which is definitely how you aren't supposed to seek happiness. It got so bad that my best friend said that he started to see a total change in my attitude towards life (I'm typically very optimistic) and in my demeanor. I hadn't noticed because it was starting to become a part of me. But I woke up one day and realized that I truly was different...and not for the better. I noticed I stopped talking to people, stopped creating, and was generally unmotivated to do ANYTHING. I understand that every day won't be a great day and sometimes your motivation will take a dip...but I was going through week long stints...

One day, I woke up and decided that I was tired of being unmotivated. I was tired of feeling down. I was tired of living with my head in a fog. I was tired of just EXISTING and wanted to live again. It was hard...I won't lie. You start to get comfortable just existing, it almost seems easier. I think it is easier. It's so easy to be unhappy, to blame others for your lack of whatever. Being happy truly does take work. So one day, I woke up and decided to get to work.

First. I had to identify what was making me unhappy. What was missing or in my life that was preventing me from being my usual optimistic and joyous self.

Second. I had to share it with someone. It's one thing to admit something to yourself, but when you find the courage to admit it to someone else...then it really becomes real. Plus, they can help you identify some modifiers that you might not have thought of.

Third. I had to figure out what my life's mantra, my life's motto was. I heard some where that whatever you constantly say to yourself in your thoughts is what you are, what you are really about. I noticed that I would think to myself every day, "I want to create something. I want to be inspired to create something. I want to inspire other people, but how can I when I am not even inspiring myself?" The light bulb turned on.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

Motivational Monday: On Being Happy

As we go into this week spending time with our family and friends and of course feasts, we are all thinking about what we are thankful for and such. I wanted to begin the week on thinking about being happy and why being thankful for what you have should bring happiness to your life. I'm not going to do too much writing since I have some posts for tomorrow going into my self journey of finding happiness again. So, for you...Motivational Monday's quote.

"Stop looking for reasons you are not happy. Focus on the things you do have, and the reasons you should be happy."
       -Unknown

Motivational Monday: 8 ways to be happier via Everyday Health

8 Ways to be happier via Everyday Health

1. Look for the Positive: Happy people are more likely than unhappy people to perceive themselves, as well as the world around them, positively... Instead of complaining about how your co-worker gets on your nerves, your loved one never cleans up behind themselves, or the kids are too roudy, find the positive in each situation and learn from it.


2. Nurture Relationships: Strong supportive relationships help you to live longer...We all need someone that we can talk to when we're down and laugh with us when we are up. Having a good support system is good for you and in turn will keep you happier.


3. Be Physically Active: Exercise is a proven method for decreasing negative moods...Think about the last time you really went hard at the gym or an exercise program. As tired as you felt, when it was all said and done you felt amazing and like you were doing something good for yourself. So the next time you start to feel down, hit the gym or go for a walk in the park.


4. Express Gratitude: Gratitude is a great antidote to anger and bitterness...At the end of the day we all want to feel wanted and appreciated. Letting those close to you know that you are grateful for them and their presence will in turn make you feel happy as well as grateful.


5. Offer Help to Others: Being helpful allows you to feel better about yourself...Giving back has always been a great way to build you confidence in yourself and make you appreciate what you have. Find a local charity or program to support and watch your happiness level rise.


6. Forgive: People who can forgive have higher self-esteem, happiness and joy in their lives...Forgiveness, gets that primordial monkey off your back. You'll feel a weight lifted off of you and happiness return. We all have to learn to forgive, no matter how hard we think it will be...if only for the sake of our own happiness.


7. Savor Pleasures in Life: Enjoy life, even the bittersweet moments...Instead of looking and accepting only the positive moments in our lives, learn to acknowledge and accept the not so positive moments as well. It is when we learn from both that we truly grow as individuals.


8. Make Spiritual Practice a Habit: Prayer, Meditation, and Religious support can help you get through the bad times and give new meaning to it...Sometimes we simply need a moment to ourselves to clear our head, whether it's through prayer or meditation. Believing in something bigger than ourselves gives us meaning and fulfillment.

Being happy is a choice. You can either choose to let life get you down or choose to triumph past it and have a better outlook.

The Unemployed [but Empowered and generally Happy] Entrepreneur