🎼 I was born to worship, I love to worship … and I worship you because of who you are 🎼 – Vicki Yohe
First Sunday of June, I gave a testimony in church that I am spirit led to share on my blog today.
Around my birthday last year, I quit my job of almost 2 years; a decision hubby and I made as my previous work environment was too toxic for me. The overachiever in me got anxious due to not getting another job sooner. Yes, I quit my job before getting another; something I never thought I could do in a million years. BE WITHOUT A JOB. It was that bad 🙈. I lost my confidence which led to me being depressed.
Depression for me was losing the will to do things I once enjoyed; avoiding my family and friends, not having the energy to dress up to events or church, not taking pictures (I can take pictures for Africa… ha!) and most importantly not wanting to do anything blog related. I noticed I started indulging in food, watching tons of TV, stopped reading, stopped working out and never went shopping once the entire time. After numerous attempts of talking to me and trying to uplift my spirit, hubby once asked me if I was truly passionate about blogging at all and I was shocked he ask but too dumbfounded to articulate a response. All I kept thinking of the entire time was who am I without my confidence?Â
In October, I got another job and realized that I was still depressed. I fast realized it wasn’t a button you could switch off. Thank God for GOD, the support of hubby, family, friends and a therapist I started seeing recently that made me overcome my depression of 10 months.
I often wondered how someone like me, happy, bubbly and positive could suffer from depression, then I think of great minds like Anthony Bourdain, Robin Williams and many more that died as a result of it and I thank God all over again.
Please check on your friends/coworkers; those that are bubbly and always appear happy. We go through things too.
Please, please and please, do not think seeking a therapist is a bad thing (especially for those of us that are Nigerians/Africans). Seeking a therapist has been one of the most liberating things I have done for myself in a while. I also don’t intend to quit seeing my therapist; I have adopted it as a lifestyle.
I pray for the grace to be able to share more on this topic in the coming months through my blog, but in the meantime, be well and feel free to email me if you choose not to comment on this post at askmsddah@gmail.com. Do not be afraid to seek professional help for you, your family and/or loved ones.
“Don’t give up, you’ve got to hold on to what you’ve got. Baby, dont give up you’ve got to keep on moving dont stop” Step by Step by Whitney Houston.Â
Until next time,
Xoxo,
MsddahÂ
This is very enlightening. I agree that a lot of work needs to be done to educate those of us from African countries / African American society about the benefits of therapy in regards to mental health…
Great post… I can relate to much of this! I’m so glad you had support and found a therapist who has helped you to move forward!
You are so pretty! I suffer from depression too, although my meds are working for the moment. I hate how life can trigger these feelings of not being enough. You are enough! Pinning.
Thank you for sharing your story! It’s so easy to forget that those who may seem the happiest are having the hardest time. Good for you for seeking help when you needed it. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!
Depression sucks and there aren’t enough people talking about it openly. Thanks for this post!
THank you so much for sharing your heart! I think therapy is GREAT for everyone! I honestly think it should be a life requirement.
You are gorgeous! My husband struggles with depression when life changes without notice, and I definitely think it is essential to seek out help when needed. Thank you very much for sharing your story.
Thanks for sharing your story! Blogging has so many benefits. While you write for others, you gain so much yourself!!
I love that you’ve adopted seeing a therapist as a lifestyle. I was in a situation were I was unable to work for a while and it really affected my mental health but therapy helped!
oh my!!! What an amazing journey! Thank you so much for sharing, you’re really a very strong person. Moving forward is not easy, it is not!!! Great post.
Your story is so beautiful! Maybe this is one of God’s way to let you help other people who suffers from depressions too. Hearing your story might give them motivation and inspiration
Thank you for sharing such a personal, vulnerable post. I’m so happy you had the support of family and friends. Talking about this will only help to normalize it and help others. 💕
Inspiring post. I’ve battled with depression in the past as well. Great to learn from your story and how you’ve overcome (or are overcoming) it. Life is full of experiences to learn from. Thanks for sharing this.
I know it’s hard to think about how we can so easily find ourselves depressed if we let it happen. It is so amazing that God’s grace carries us through many a trial in this world. And he prepares our steps for us. That’s great your husband was so supportive of you and the radical changes you needed to do, especially leaving a job which was toxic. While it’s hard to do financially it’s so much better with peace of mind.
What an inspiring post that will inspire others to overcome their low points. Everyone has these low points but you just have to take everything step by step. I am glad that you are taking life step by step and overcoming depression!
Thank you for such a beautiful and honest post.
I think you’re very brave leaving a job that was not good for you.
I am so glad to hear that with the right support you’re doing well.
Sending love to you x
Depression is a tenacious beast and everyone battles it differently. I enjoyed your story and I appreciate your sharing it with all of us. God is good and he gets us through it all.
There is a stigma with people of color when it comes seeking help from professionals. We need to overcome this and seek the help we need.
Thank you for sharing your story! And I’m so glad you got help when you needed it. We need to let people know it’s totally okay to do that and break the stigma.
I’m so glad that you’ve shared your journey through with depression. There is life after depression.
Great post, lady. Thanks for sharing this with us! It’s inspiring to see you overcoming and motivating others to do the same.