Dear friends and readers,
I'd like to draw attention to a one of my collections on Pinterest. In fact, I'd like to regularly draw attention to it. It's entitled "Happiness Project" and it's my go-to place when I'm feeling down.
During my lifetime, I've struggled with depression (teenage years), panic attacks (early twenties) and brain fog (late twenties/early thirties) and I'm at a point where I can say I have beaten all three! On the strength of that, I would like to encourage others to keep trying and keep believing.
My "Happiness Project" is rather a large collection of articles and images. Some are educational/informative, some are inspirational/encouraging and others are just feed-good mood-boosters.
I have come to the conclusion that happiness is not a luxury, and it should be considered a necessity. Having suffered from depression during formative years, I realise how destructive it is to self-image and decision-making when you have negative thoughts and moods pulling your thoughts down. I don't believe that those thoughts and feelings are a true reflection of one's self and taking a personality test that gives the result of "Melancholic" when you're depressed isn't really telling you your fortune! (For a better test of personality, independant of current mood or occupation, use MBTI)
Decision-making is a key aspect to success as an adult, and the launch point of adulthood is being a teenager, so decision-making is crucial during that time too. I would say it near impossible to make good decisions when you are depressed. Your thinking is so clouded you literally cannot think straight, how can you possibly make promising decisions for your future?
With those 2 points in mind, I will say without a doubt your happiness as an integrated part of your well-being is essential and not something you can afford to live without. You're not just missing out on feeling good, you're missing out on who you really are as well as missing out on the opportunities, risks, action and experiences you would take if you had the right mental and emotional constitution. If you're inclined to be self-less at all you will also appreciate that you are robbing those around you of knowing you in a better light too and experiencing the skills and talents that you can provide them.
As Dr Amen says, mental health is contagious. Thoughts and attitudes rub off on others so a healthy dose of community consciousness and sense of social responsibility is a good thing and goes both ways. Who in your life is dragging you down and who in your life can you build up? What to do about it is a life long activity in itself! But just bearing that in mind, as a way of caring for self and others is a positive thought and attitude for approaching social interactions. You don't have to believe and accept everything you hear, but neither do you have to verbalise every thought just because it's "honest". Sometimes keeping quiet is more beneficial than giving air to destructive "honest" thoughts and feelings.
Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed that and feel better prepared to tackle tangled thoughts and elusive disenchanted emotions. For more supportive ideas and pictures of kittens, please click on Happiness Project
