There is no "I" in "Team", but there is an "I" in "Pie".

One of the major dangers of depression is feeling alone; that no one around you understands or could possibly understand what you are going through. This thought, this feeling, is nothing more than another trap which can pull you further into the darkness. I will be honest, there are a lot of people who don’t know what depression is like or how to deal with it. However, there are plenty of good people who do. These people have been through the same pain you’re going through and may even know how to cope in healthy ways. For instance, I started this blog with the intentions of helping those who are trudging through their lives feeling worthless and hopeless, because I have felt that way before. I also started this blog in hopes that people who have never struggled with depression themselves can read this and learn how to empathize with us who do wrestle with getting out of bed on any given day.

                That said, there is one obvious facts about battling depression: there are no lone wolves. This fits a lot of aspects of life, but it is doubly so with depression. Do not be so stubborn or hard headed that you think you can handle this on your own, because there are people who love you who want to help. Furthermore, don’t be so hard on yourself that you believe you are “burdening” those around you. I have had countless people say that they feel as a weight or burden on me for just talking with me about their issues or pains and that is just a lie. I take a lot of joy in trying to help others. My business is people. My hobby is helping. Don’t tell me how your problems are such a heavy weight on my back when I’m overjoyed you’re talking to someone.

                Don’t get me wrong, talking to someone and getting it all out is not easy. Firstly, you need to find someone you absolutely trust and I don’t mean your BFF. You should look to someone older than yourself, perhaps a professional or a prominent leader within the church. Let me be absolutely clear about one thing: this needs to be a trust worthy individual. There are PLENTY of snakes in the grass who would love for you to open up your most intimate of insecurities to them only to bite you. Beware. Secondly, you need to be able to open up fully and discuss things that you struggle with, but don’t be afraid. Most likely the problems or feelings you’re having are something that someone has had at one point in time and knows how to fight it a little bit better. The only way to get healthy is to fight the cause of the illness and getting help is the first step. Take that brave first step and let’s get well together.

Carl J.