Everyone has his or her own demons. Everyone has had times of happiness and times of sorrow. It is a well known cliché to compare life to a roller coaster, but there’s truth behind the cliché. A roller coaster goes up and down, left and right, sometimes even upside down, and life can feel exactly like that. We never know what is going to happen, so many things are out of our control. We just hold on for the ride and hope for the best possible outcomes during our journey.
However, what if you factor in something like anxiety? Anxiety is a mental health disorder where you are anxious, worried, and fearful while carrying out daily functions. Anxiety can work against the hope you hold inside for life to work itself out. Second-guessing yourself at every opportunity. Drawing negative conclusions about yourself or interactions with others, because your brain has decided that being rational is not something that is happening today.
Depression is a mood disorder that can also affect your jovial outlook on life. It causes the person to have persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. There are many different forms of depression and different severities, but the fact is you feel low and at a loss. Now add the two together, worrying, being anxious, being fearful, feeling low, and losing interest in things that made you happy. It sounds like a losing fight, doesn’t it?
Well, it’s not. Everyone has their high days and their low days. The same is true with anxiety and depression. Some days are a lot easier than others. It is when someone makes the decision to fight and rationalize what is going on within themselves, that they are able to find their inner strength. This is not just something people with anxiety and depression face, but everyone. Find the determination within yourself and decide your course of action.
It could be seeking help from a professional, it could be meditation, exercise, socializing, spending more time with family, taking more time to yourself; whatever it might be decide that you are worth the time and effort, because you are.
I don’t just say this as a third party person who knows nothing about the daily struggle of deeming yourself worthy. I’ve dealt with anxiety and depression for a long time, and it's taken an even longer time for me to come to terms with the fact that there is no perfect cure. We will always have good days and bad days. It’s about embracing the bad days and pushing through them. Cherish the good days and use them as fuel to continue to fight for what you want. Whatever it might be, you can attain it. Just believe in yourself and find the thing that makes you happy.
For me, spending time with my friends where I can be myself makes me happy. Being in nature, whether I’m snowboarding or riding horses makes me feel free and happy. Volunteering and helping others blesses me with the knowledge that I’ve made a difference. If I know that I was the cause of smile for someone or made his or her day a little easier, it in turn makes me smile and brightens my day. However, with all of this, I still have my low days. My days of doubt where I’m very harsh on myself. I may react badly to a situation, or close myself off from those I love, but the difference is I never stop fighting. I try my best to not let those days control me; some days it's harder than others, but my resolve is there.
If you have friends or family who are going through a hard time, just offer them support. Offer them your love, and most of all offer them a listening ear to what they have to say. Even if it sounds completely ridiculous to you, let them get it off their chest, because it will help them more than you know. Try to shy away from statements like, “just be happy,” “stop worrying so much,” “snap out of it,” or “try harder.” Trust me, it will only make the person feel worse and not help. They are doing what they can to work through their hard time, but it takes time. Allow them to get there, but help guide them to the rational side of thinking. If you can, always let them know that no matter what you are there.
That is all we really want in this world: people who will be by our side no matter what is happening in our life. We want people to accept us for who we are, flaws and all. It’s a haunting thought that we may never find that. But you will; there is a world of support, all you have to do is ask. Find your determination and never give up. Life may be like a roller coaster, but we sure as hell will enjoy the ride.
