Your Pillow Fort

It's nice in here. We have snacks. A place to talk about your shit and get hugs in return. Or just hugs. We give hugs.

[yourpillowfort]

In defense of Humbug

[yourpillowfort]

If you don’t like them. If they make you sad, anxious, lonely - that is completely normal.

I know the world wants you to think that there is something wrong with you for not liking the holidays, or not feeling the joy they think you should, but they are wrong.

You have permission to take a...

[yourpillowfort]

Having trouble eating?

Sometimes, when people get depressed or anxious they have trouble eating. And then when they don't get enough nutrients their depression or anxiety gets worse.

If this is you, I know that saying "just eat" isn't enough. Food has lost it's taste. You stare at it and feel nothing. You are completely disconnected from your stomach - it could be full, it could be empty - you can't tell the difference.

But you still have to eat. You can't starve your way out of depression. Focus on foods you know that you love when you aren't depressed - creamy foods, rich foods, sweet foods. Don't worry about calories here. I recommend lower salt and lower spice - as those flavors can just seem like too much. Buy a bunch of those foods at once so you don't have to worry about going back to the store. Eat a few bites, see if it awakes your appetite to eat more. If it doesn't, don't pressure yourself, just try again later.

[yourpillowfort]

If you need to smile for a while

This twitter feed has provided me hours of smiles:

Ads Without Context

https://twitter.com/NoContextAds

[yourpillowfort]

About These Holidays

If you don't like them. If they make you sad, anxious, lonely - that is completely normal. I know the world wants you to think that there is something wrong with you for not liking the holidays, or not feeling the joy they think you should, but they are wrong. You have permission to take a holiday break. To say no to holiday parties. To not put up a tree. You can even block mentions of holidays on Facebook for a while (sites like fbpurity.com are great for this). Think of it as a holiday gift for yourself. The holidays paint a narrative of perfect family life and abundance. But if your family is kind of shitty, or if part of your perfect family is gone, or if you are crying trying to figure out how you are going to afford presents for your kids, or if the thought of all your relatives in one room gives you a panic attack - that narrative can make you feel really alone in the world. But you aren't alone. So many people feel this way. There is nothing wrong with you. Please remember that these days will pass. I wish you joy and love as for as many days as is possible, and comfort and peace when it is not.

[yourpillowfort]

A little goal for today

Today, if you can, I'd like you to say "no" to something you don't want to do. You can say it in whatever way you need. You can make any excuses you want. But make a conscious choice to not do this thing. Say no and don't feel bad about it. You just gave yourself some real love and care and protection. You deserve it.

[yourpillowfort]

For smiles

[yourpillowfort]

Just a reminder

Hey how are you doing today? I wanted to remind you that if your brain is telling you bad things about yourself and your life right now, that it's not true. It's not even your voice, it's just depression trying to trick you. You are not a burden. You are valued. You make the world better just by being in it.

[yourpillowfort]

How to pet a cat like a pro

[yourpillowfort]

[worldsfunniestcouple-blog]

[yourpillowfort]

because maybe you can use a good laugh

[yourpillowfort]

Hey, how are you doing?

Having a rough time? I really hope you're not beating yourself up over things you "should" be doing right now. 

Remember, giving your self time to just rest and "be" when things are rough in your brain is important. Just as important as anything on your to-do list.

Look at the absolute minimum things you have to do to survive right now, do those things, pat yourself on the back, and then rest. Everything else will wait.

You are important.

[yourpillowfort]

[yourpillowfort]

[yourpillowfort]

If you need a smile

[yourpillowfort]

Holiday Depression Tips

Here's a link to some tips for getting through the holidays if these are tough times for you.

I also want to add - go easy on yourself. Don't try to be the healthiest, happiest person of all holidays. Treat yourself with love and care and comfort.

http://psychcentral.com/lib/beating-the-holiday-blues/000390