I promised transparency in the goals I set for myself at the start of the New Year. I am sad to report that I did horribly trying to stay on task and focus on the goals I set for myself. I started out fantastic and excited to shed the past year. I was determined to stay focused starting anew – a new year, a Covid-19 vaccine in the works, new leadership…I felt a huge amount of relief that 2020 was behind me. Then January 6th’s attack on the US Capitol Hill happened.
I felt like the rug was pulled out from under me and I was sickened. I fell into a state of depression.
I don’t want to get into politics here. But that day took away all of my excitement and energy for the New Year. And as hard as I have tried, I have not been able to get it back. I have been in a constant state of ambivalence. I am sure the weather and the stress of Covid-19 is not helping either.
So here I am, as promised, telling you that I did not achieve anything this month…and I am OK with it. I think we are all entitled to “do nothing” during these strange times.
The important thing is to not let it define the year.
So how do I keep depression from getting in the way?
Here is a list of things I plan to do to help get through this depression:
1) Be accountable to you. I didn’t even want to think about writing this blog, but I did it.
2) Try and walk 30 minutes a day, even when it is COLD (I live in Minnesota and January is the coldest month)
3) Set up virtual times to meet with friends and family. This will give me a reason to wear lipstick and get out of my leggings that I have lived in for most of the year.
Please do not think I am making light of depression and can be easily remedied with a simple walk. I know depression is different for many and is a very serious health issue. This has been something I have struggled with my whole life. I am very fortunate that I have always been able to come out on the other end, though some of those times lasted much longer than others. For me, I find that if I can just get myself out of bed (half the battle) and focus on a “To Do” list, I can eventually get out of the mental funk I am stuck in.
Do you struggle with depression? How do you try and get out of the funk?
