Those of us with depression know that there are those days where we're just going through the motions. But what about those days where just going through the motions is too hard, smiling feels like hypocrisy and all you want to do is crawl back inside your shell and ignore the world?
That's the time when we need to "act as if." If we go around all day perseverance on our depression, constantly thinking about just how unhappy we are, we're doing ourselves a disservice. The only thing we're going to gain from that a continuation of that state of mind.
Instead, if we just plaster on a half-hearted smile and try to pretend that life is bearable, we might just end up feeling that way at the end of the day!
Have you ever noticed that if you force yourself to smile, and keep smiling for a while, you start to feel a little happier? I think that maybe instead of mind over body, it can be body over mind!
So, next time you find yourself stuck in that rut, try acting as if. Pretend that you're an actor and you're playing the part of the class clown, the office joker or the sweet girl-next-door. Whatever part you end up playing might just end up subtly changing your mood for the better.
"Fake it to make it" is something that I tell myself all the time.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing I do is talk to myself out loud about myself. Like, "You can do this, it's ok that all three kids are crying. Sometimes that happens. Don't lose it now, Amy. They'll all be in bed soon and you can relax."
It's like having my mom talking to me, saying exactly what I need to hear. :)