Broad Spectrum

It's dark and lonely. It's a place that no one wants to be, but it's the hardest thing to get out of: Depression. It's a never-ending cycle. But only if you let it be. For me, Depression is like a little monster that follows me everywhere I go. When I wake up in the morning, he tells me to stay in bed where no one can hurt me. When I want to play guitar, or clarinet, or sing he tells me that I don't REALLY enjoy those things. I'm never the one that asks people to hang out because my depression tells me no one wants to hang out with me.

But I have good days. And so can you. When you wake up in the morning and that little monster tells you not to get out of bed, as uncomfortable as it feels, get out of bed. Stretch. Reach your arms as high as they'll go. Once you've reached the highest you think you can go, go higher. Take a warm bath. Cry if you need to. But if depression tells you to self-harm, get out of the bath immediately and rub ice cubes where you typically self-harm. The urges will go away. Take long, deep breaths. If depression tells you not to go outside, go for a walk. If depression tells you not to call a friend, call a friend. If they're busy PLEASE remember that it's not your fault. People are busy, yes, but that does NOT mean that they don't want to hang out with you. Remember that.

You are loved. You are beautiful. You are strong. And you have a light inside of you. Don't let depression cover your light. It's beautiful and it's warm and it's loving and it's bright. It will help you. Stay strong and don't forget to love yourself.

Be kind to one another.

-Dani Marie