Remember: Just Blow

For as long as I can remember I have had to battle depression. I have been told, and can see the truth in it, that once you suffer from depression it never completely leaves you. Though mostly kept from others, those who learn I suffer tend to be shocked.  For the most part I am a super optimistic person seeing the bright glimmers in any situation and eager to make others smile. Many times the happiest of people suffer from depression without a soul knowing. The same could be said with my social anxiety, but that is a different sharing.  Some skirmishes that ensue with depression are easier won than others. In order to battle depression I wield a complete arsenal of symbolic weaponry, that would make any small combat force's armory look pathetic, such as but not limited to:  humor, friends, family, sarcasm,  happy pills, faith, comfort food, CHOCOLATE, venting, tears, keeping a journal.

One of the most powerful weapons I have found, thanks to my optimistic nature, is reminding myself to "just blow." Let me share and explain the meaning behind  this statement:

Grab two Bopper Balloons (a.k.a Punch Balloon), a pen and some paper- you can physically or mentally follow along.

Let's set up a metaphoric day: You have had one of those days where it has just started off on the wrong foot leaving you cranky, frustrated and setting you in an ill mood. How are you going to proceed the remainder of the day?

Now before you answer that question take the pen in your hand and on your paper write one thing: Something big that has happen or you would like to happen that would make you explode with happiness.

General Example:  Let's say winning big in the lottery. Who wouldn't go banana at such?

Got that thought?

Next pick up one of the Balloons.  I want you to keep that thought in your mind and using one huge breath that embodies this explosion happy thought blow into the balloon. Only one big breath now. Tie it off with the rubber band, but not in a knot.

-Observe the balloon. What do you notice?
Not very big is it? A bit limp and squishy. Sure it's blown up a bit but not much use, is it?

-How did you feel before, after and during that one big burst of breathe into the balloon?
Imagined the possibilities? Challenged? Determined? Cheeks sore? Head spinning a bit? Self deflated a bit by not filling the balloon more?

We will come back to this.  But now I want you to grab your paper and pen again.

This time I want you to make a list referring just to today, well the metaphoric bad day being had. No looking to yesterday or tomorrow and think on the little things you are happy/thankful  for. Keep it simple and nothing is too small. Give yourself only a minute or two to list as many as you can.

General Example: Woke up this morning. Was able to get out of bed. Coffee.  Food in one's tummy. Using a pen that works. Socks are comfy. There's a roof over my head. Have a job. Hubby loves me.

Pick up your second balloon. Using a small slow breath per each thought listed  proceed to blow up the balloon. Tie off the balloon like you did the first, using the rubber band  but not in a knot.

-Observe this Balloon.
It's large. Should work well. Nicely filled. Firm.

-How did you feel before, after and during several breathes into the balloon?
Tough at first to make the list? Relaxed to fill the balloon? Surprised how quickly the balloon filled?

Now let's compare the two.  Looking at them side by side, Balloon 1 is smaller than Balloon 2.

Carefully untie each of the rubber bands keeping the Balloons inflated taking one in each hand. Now release both of them at the same time.

Which one went further? Balloon 2, right? For it had more to motivate it.

The whole point of this exercise to show the symbolic side of one's perspective or focus.

Balloon 1- We were focused on one item, either a memory of our joyful past or dream like wish for the future. Filling the Balloon, or ourselves, with a burst of happiness that was short lived due to it's occurrence had already pass or may never even come to be.  Carrying us only a short distance.

Balloon 2- We were focused on the now, the blessings and little things to be happily thankfully for. The more we reflected and noticed the more our Balloon was filled. Sure it took some time and effort, but it will carry us further along lasting much longer.

Back to the Metaphoric Day Question: How are you going to proceed the remainder of the day?

It boils down to......drum roll....... Perspective.

Not just any perspective, but Positive Perspective. You can choose to focus on all the negatives that in afterthought are petty and superficial.  Or you can choose to focus on the positives in your life letting them carry you further past the rocky road. Even further though is how you choose your positive thoughts. Rather than reliving a major event from your past or relishing in the undetermined future possibilities which leaves you stinted, focus on the current facts of the now for they will carry you further aiding your perspective as you move forward.

Though life may seem awful, bad, or any other adjective you wish to use, it could be a hundred times worse. At the same time there are thousands of positives circling you, you just have to remind yourself to see them in simplistic form. Focus on the "haves", rather than the "don't haves".

Anytime I start getting overwhelmed or depressed in life I start mentally, and even physically on the really bad days, listing what I am thankful for and bless for. In the present. No looking backwards. No looking to the unknown future. But in the moment. No matter how silly the options maybe or seem  it helps put life  in true perspective. That perspective then helps me through depressed times. Surprisingly most depression episodes are like a tumbling snowball that start with a day similar to the metaphoric one above. Once your mind jumps the track into negative thinking you either stay on that track or need to bump yourself out of it. Only you can control how you react to situations and how they may affect you.

So next time things start getting a little rocky, your day seems shitty, or are becoming overwhelmed by bad luck or depression ........ Just remember ....... to blow.

(Disclaimer of sorts: I am merely sharing in this post what I have learned from my own experiences in hopes to share new ways of thoughts to assist others going through periods of rough time. This is in no way is the only way, but one of many methods to help from the simplest of blue moods to grumpiness to darker times. )