Mental Health Awareness

May 24

This month we have been heavily focusing on staying IN the work.

Mental Health awareness month is just that — bringing AWARENESS to these parts of ourselves or our loved ones, or even strangers. This piece was written by one of our community members as a love offering to all who are working through and processing their internal needs. We love you, we are holding space, you are not alone.

I turned 41 a week ago. On a day that we should be celebrating our births and our lives I found myself in the depths of despair. I cried most of the day and I muscled my way through my work day just to get home so I could melt into my bed and forget the day. My children were concerned and upset that I could not celebrate my day with them. I couldn’t really explain how I was feeling to them because I wasn’t truly aware yet myself. It really didn’t hit me how evident it was to them until I saw tears in my daughter’s eyes and she asked me why I was sad all the time.

This is how depression creeps its way into our lives. Sometimes it is a slow progression that we don’t even realize until our loved ones become the mirror. We go about our daily lives getting all the tasks done on our list. Work, gym, kids, social life, and we check all the boxes despite how we are feeling inside. I am a pro at making my life look good on the outside, regardless of my circumstances or emotional state. Social media will contribute to this façade and it can also contribute to the feelings of isolation if we allow it.

I can’t deny depression visits my life from time to time. In past years when I would get depressed I would just retreat from my normal activities for a while. Friends would tell me they hadn’t seen me in a long time and they thought I was just too busy. The truth was that it was a struggle to be around people. I had to conserve all my energy for the daily tasks that had to be done. During the dark days of depression getting out of bed can be hard and all we can do for the day is take a shower to feel human. Depression can make even the simplest tasks feel impossible. I spent many years numbing the depression with alcohol, social media scrolling, and staying stuck in the dark.

Why do I share all this with you? I share so that we can open the discussion, and so you know you are not alone. Depression and mental health issues can feel so isolating. To really honor mental health awareness month we can begin to bring awareness to the struggles that are more prominent than we realize. Once we open the discussion then we can allow space for healing. I share my story to heal parts of me and to let you know healing is possible for you too.

I have been in therapy on and off for many years. I have also taken antidepressants in the past to help with the really hard times. I have had to let go of my own shame around this, and false ideas that there is something wrong with me if I can’t manage this on my own. There is no shame in asking for help. I will say it again. There is no shame in asking for help. I hope by sharing my truth with you it feels less heavy to share your own. We are human beings living in global pandemic times. It makes sense to struggle during difficult times, but we don’t have to feel so alone in our struggles.

The voice of depression can be a loud one and we need to cultivate ways to help ourselves find our way out of the dark. Building a community is one of them. Within The Space I have found community, friendship, and support. I come to The Space as part of my therapy. The Space is more than just a yoga studio. It is a community of people who are working their way through their own darkness back into the light. Not only has this community held me up in the hardest moments but the practice itself brings me back to my body each time. In community we are reminded of our humanness and our connection to one another. In community we are reminded that there is hope and that the darkness does not have to last forever. I am so grateful for this community and this practice. I choose not to numb with alcohol or other means anymore. I am here to feel it all and move through it. I am here with you. We are here. WE see you and we are listening.

We can cultivate ways to help ourselves through the dark times. The list below has become a part of the journey back to myself. Some of them may seem trivial and simple, but sometimes getting back to the basics, and simplicity can have a positive impact on our mental wellbeing.

10 things we can do to help ourselves through the difficult times

Have a morning routine. If it feels too much then try at least one task in the routine. Make bed, light candles, open curtains, shower, gratitude journal or simply list things you love in a journal entry, eat a balanced breakfast.
Take baths or showers. Water is a healing salve. Get into water any way that resonates.
Clean a room of your house. If you have the energy keep cleaning until you feel your space is refreshed.
Take a walk. Any form of movement, especially yoga, is great but simply taking a walk in nature can reset our minds.
Turn on music. If you feel moved to dance, let yourself dance.
Listen to a podcast on mental health. Sometimes just hearing that we are not alone can make us feel better.
Therapy. Make it part of your weekly routine. This one is crucial for mental health and growth.
Call a friend. Having trusted friends who can hold space for you.
Consider medications if things feel so heavy all of the above are too hard to imagine.
Release any shame you have for struggling. You are a beautiful human being having an earthly experience.

Much love from me to you,

-MV