The worst 12-months of my life has somehow got worst, ending with a world wide pandemic. Like many, when the COVID-19 pandemic reached the U.S. I found myself furloughed from both my jobs. Suddenly home and scared for the safety of my friends, family, and myself as well as for what the future would hold, I found my depression and anxiety worsen. A years worth of work trying desperately to regain control of the darkness I was drowning in suddenly gone. Poof went all my hard work! I found myself getting pulled back down so I threw myself into what little there was to do. I began a regular workout routine, created goals for myself to keep me focused, and spent extra time on school work. I tried to look for positives such as without my two jobs taking up so much time I had more time to focus on all my classes. Working two jobs and being a full time student is stressful and I didn't have to worry about that stress. I also was getting to spend an endless amount of time with my girl Juniper, my two-year-old tortoiseshell cat. However, the loss of that stress was replaced by new causes such as a lack of income, fear for health and safety, and a lack of desperately needed social interaction. I worked hard to be better and sometimes when everything is dark it's easy to forget there's still good in this world. And when school ended and I was falling deeper into my dark hole I found a little bit of light in the form of two facebook grousp.
They are both amazon gifting groups. We play games and do gift exchanges. There's also an activity called "ninja gifting" where you browse each others wishlists and send them a surprise. My family hates all the packages I receive but I've minimized the yelling by including stuff for them on my wishlists.
Here are 7 things being in this group has reminded or taught me:
1. When you're feeling down giving back to someone else can cheer you up.
In the group I've helped some members get items they actually really needed or brightened their day when they were going through a rough time. During a time when so many are struggling it's amazing to see so many people giving back.
2. Receiving a little present in the mail can brighten anyones day.
I love receiving what they call "happy mail." It makes me smile and feel less depressed to know somebody cared enough to send me something.
3. Amazon has some amazing items and deals.
Browsing each others wishlists always inspires us. I cannot tell you how many cool things I've found from this group. I already had several lists filled with cool finds from amazon and now I have even more.
4. Strangers are simply friends we have yet to meet.
I have made so many friends from this group. Beyond games and gifting we talk to each other and get to know each other. When someone has something hard or bad going on we're there to support them and when someone has something exciting happening we celebrate with them. These groups are the embodiment of this quote.
5. For every bad apple there are 10 times as many good ones
As you might wonder, yes sometimes people cancel or don't gift after losing a game. But for every bad apple amongst us I have met 10-20 good ones. Possibly even more. When the amazing admin teams notices this they remove them and often times others step up to fill the hole.
6. We're there to give. It's not about receiving.
The majority of us are in these groups because we love giving to others. We've come together and helped other members get items like vacuums, kids beds, bed spreads, and more. Items they needed. I myself have had an amazing woman gift me a $20 shower curtain I was dying to have and needed. I've also been blessed with a weighted blanket to help me with my depression, anxiety, and sleep issues. And let me tell you that gift has been a life changer.
7. There is still good in this world.
"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." — Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
With all the negativity in the world right now these amazing groups of caring souls has reminded me that there is still good out there. These groups have turned on the light for me in a time when I thought it was impossible. Never forget there are amazing people out there. You could be that light switch for someone else. Together we can overcome and I thank the amazing members of my groups who have reminded me of that.
