Making decisions with anxiety and depression can leave you in a weak and vulnerable state. Not being able to take every opportunity or apply for every job can be stressful as you may find yourself frustrated and less-than because of it.
I was faced with declining a job because I prioritized my mental health and here is what I have to say about it:
NEW WEBSITE ALERT!
I’m extremely excited about being a contributor writer for another website — DefyingShadows.com!
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My first article published on Defying Shadows is focused on two consecutive symptoms of depression that are often frustrating to comprehend for those who experience depression as well as their loved ones.
If you experience these symptoms, communicating can help others understand how to best support you.
Check it out here!
Change is taboo for those who do not want shifts that may make them uncomfortable. Unfamiliar spaces make us feel like we’re out of control, therefore, causing us anxiety. What do we do when we are faced with changes? Not all changes are positive (or feel positive). What do we do when changes affect our mental health?
Think of these questions when you are faced with uncomfortable changes.
As we move and shift around in our daily lives, we will learn that change is inevitable, but sometimes we don’t know how to think about unfamiliar territory creeping into our comfort zone. What do we do? We challenge ourselves to use our changes to fuel our growth. We navigate those changes to help us and not hurt or hinder our progress.
As time progresses and I’m learning to live better, taking care of my mental health and growing in my self-acceptance, I declare, confirm, and affirm that I will not allow anything to set me back. Although it’s been rough and I’ve been tired, I will continuously push myself to my potential. I’m able to be the advocate, writer, leader, influencer, and speaker I want to be.
Don’t allow anything or anyone to steal your motivation or stunt your ambitions to make the difference you know you can make. Push yourself to be better, to know better, and show others what progress looks like. Be the light for someone else.
Let’s do this!
Take it slow as you become more and more patient with your progress. Take one step at a time, giving yourself small tasks to be proud of.
With grace, you will find peace and power in those simple accomplishments. That, in itself, is a step forward in your goals.
Some days are more difficult than others, but that does not mean whatever you do get done is no less wonderful and brave.
Your accomplishments are what make you stronger and capable of doing more. The joy you feel because you accomplished something will make it easier the next time you find yourself in a stuck space.
You did it before, you can do it again.
Affirmation: I can accomplish whatever I put my mind to.
Making choices and decisions require time, effort, knowledge, and patience. As we navigate and explore our options, we may find ourselves overwhelmed and strained from weighing the options that will determine the next steps we will have to take.
These next steps will challenge us in how we view ourselves and whether certain options outweigh the others.
As you weigh your options remember:
Making decisions and evaluating options and choices is mentally draining. As we know better ourselves in each opportunity, we become better at making those choices and are content with those decisions after.
Keep trying. Stay motivated. Stay focused.
You are worthy of the life you see for yourself.
Self-doubt is crippling, paralyzing, and can prohibit the progress of what the immediate or far future may contain. While we wallow in our self-doubt and sink into procrastination, we think of every possible scenario that will lead to failure. We don’t see ourselves as people that are capable, able, or good enough for our own aspirations or ambitions. Self-doubt can be because of anxiety and constantly thinking about the future, or it can be because we are afraid and unable to see ourselves in our own potential.
These are four affirmations to remember if you find yourself in self-doubt…
I will make decisions based on what’s best for me and who I am.
I will know myself, love myself, and not work simply to survive.
I will give myself time and be patient with my process.
I will hold my head up when my answer is no and proudly keep striving for what’s best for me.
I will work hard and keep looking.
I will know who I am in this process.
I will not live for anyone else but myself.
My mistakes will be my own and I will take responsibility for my life.
I will be great.
I know I can be great.
#livinginyour20s #earlylifedecisionmaking
*Trigger Warning*
My #metoo story
When I was in middle school, on my way to school one day, a grown man grabbed my butt. Startled and confused I looked back trembling to see him smiling as he walked away in satisfaction of his actions. I did not know this man. There were hundreds of kids around as it was by a high school and bus stop. I trembled the rest of the day, could feel my nerves all of sudden feel uneasy. I avoid the area where this happened to me. I feel uncomfortable to be alone outside sometimes. I’m hyperaware when I’m alone and often paranoid to walk by large groups of guys.
What’s happening now makes me more uncomfortable and afraid then I was before. The power I lost that day was unreal. To see so many women coming out in #metoo, to express their hopelessness in this country’s justice system to help makes me disgusted. To read the comments on these posts of people justifying these actions because of a loss of time or lack of evidence makes me furious. No one saw what happened to me that day, where there were swarms of people. I didn’t think what happened to me mattered. I didn’t understand what was going on. I didn’t grasp the idea that this was not ok. All I felt was a loss of self and of safety. I just want to feel safe again. When will I feel safe again?
It was a lot to think about this today. To think how often sexual assault, rape, and harassment happens on a daily basis. As women, we have to always be aware, be awake, and be looking out for our safety. It’s not fair for us to live like this. I’ve been disgruntled and uncomfortable all month.
Stay safe and be careful. It’s never your fault if these horrible things have happened to you (whether you’re a man or a woman).
I love you and I’m here if anyone wants to vent.
Task yourself with bravery today. Do something different, something that moves you from your comfort place into a place of change. Show yourself that change is possible and you’re worthy of peace from the change.
Move some things around. Organize. Plan. Take one risk. Know yourself enough to know what you can do and what you can’t. Become more of who you see yourself as.
Cut the procrastination. Do what you have to do, now.
Be brave with me.
