Where Have You Been All My Life
This protocol, this process, and I state this with way too much experience, should be a staple when treating depression.
While I haven’t been on medication in more than a decade and changed my eating habits which greatly alleviated my depression, I still struggle on a near daily basis with dark thoughts, and the gremlins that threatened to pull me back into being a depressive person
I’ve struggled with this since I was 12 years old, so I have some experience as I’m well past Jack Benny’s favorite age of 39.
What I’ve discovered, and I am far behind most of the others (I’m still refining my DMP), is that the combination of exercises, 15 minute sit, readings, meditations, etc. are a panacea for a negative mindset and in my case, for the tendency to be depressed.
While not every day is perfect or easy, the mental diet is one part that has been amazing in so many ways.
It’s so simple. All I do is replace a negative thought with a positive one. I stop myself in my tracks and don’t let myself go down that road.
Beyond that, the mental diet, which incidentally, I am still starting over daily, has been transformational for me.
Full disclosure here: I had been realizing (partly because others told me so), that I was highly critical and opinionated.
I’m not sure if this was born out of desire to be more or better or to protect myself or perhaps to feel I am a stronger person, but I had no idea I was that negative, that judgmental and opinionated until I tried to put a complete stop to it.
The things I’ve noticed since doing this, and even with the starting over just about every day, are that I am happier and more aware of myself. I have more control over my emotions and with my interactions with others. I have the ability to choose which path I take in my mind and out of my mouth in situations on a day-to-day basis.
I’ve also noticed a distinct and conscious decision to either not engage with people who complain all the time and are negative or to very consciously manage my interaction with them and my time spent with them.
So interesting that I think my tendency to be critical and more opinionated was in part to make myself feel stronger and better. Re-creating that behavior has given me the freedom to become stronger and to become more in control of myself, my mind, my mood and my life.
While, having been part of the traditional depression-medication protocol, I don’t expect allopathic medicine will embrace something that is free or that the individual can do on their own.
I think the shame is if it’s not introduced.
I’m also acutely aware it’s easier for people to take a pill than to do this kind of work, but the rewards from doing this, the privilege of doing this work are immeasurable.
I am so very grateful for the opportunity to have found this way to grow, to change, to dare to dream and begin to believe I can realize those dreams!
See more blogs on my journey here.
Your blog is heartfelt! Thank you for sharing your story. It encourages others to explore paths to happiness and growth and gives us all hope.
Your comments are always fantastic Julie Mahalo for being such a great MKE member! And your future you thanks you too! I’m very impressed with you and Cheryl
What a great comment Scott and it is great – so much strength in vulnerability 🙂
Hearts flying out of my eyes lol! Mahalo
The first step to change is awareness. Sounds like you are being made aware of the different things in your life and you are changing them for the better. Good job!
Cheryl, wow do I identify with your struggle! My mom and many on my mom’s side of the family in Slovenia and in the U.S. have been diagnosed with bipolar illness, and others have the challenge to a lesser (yet life-altering) degree and have tried one kind of med after another for deep clinical depression. So I SO APPRECIATE how you’ve written this, as well as your experienced sharing of what has helped through what you know and teach in your nutrition and wellness consulting business as well as the habits and brain-training of MKE. YAY for your results and for helping so many others! THANK YOU!
It’s not fun in any way, and it breaks my heart people aren’t willing to do the work to try to truly make a difference for themselves. Thank you so much for your comment Fab D!
Thank you so much Mark. I treasure your response.
Thank you Julie. It was very scary “coming out” as a depressed person, but I did that years ago. I realized I couldn’t help others if I weren’t authentic and raw about myself in the process.
Cheryl it is great to see more and more people like your self finding their way with the help of MKE. It really does work and it shows with your blog great job keep it up!
I always keep my promises. Scott J
Thank you, Cheryl for sharing your thoughts, experiences and struggles. I’m sure being vulnerable, having the courage to do this work and to share with others will help so many people that struggle with depression and have no idea how to overcome it without pills. You are an inspiration to so many. Congratulations and thank you.
your honesty, vulnerability and humor is simply remarkable… grateful for having read this… fantastic
OMYGOSH me too – I pray we can find more peeps to help with that demon so many seem to suffer from…
I just have to say WOW, what an amazing share and so appreciated. I feel so much empathy for those feeling depressed. It’s heartbreaking and so not necessary in the world we live in today. I’m so pleased the MKE skills are helping! I’m so grateful!
Thank you Day for taking the time to read and comment. I am honored.
Cheryl, how amazing! I agree, there truly is nothing like this course, this community, anywhere. So glad you found us and that you’ve gained so much from it. You are why we do this. Thank you for sharing.