Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

As I currently navigate my way through a bout of depression, I’m thinking about this question that I get all of the time – how do I manage my home life when I’m going through it? Welp, this post is going to focus on three Care Tips that I personally use to get through the storm without having to deal with the disaster after the fact.

Tip #1: Admitting You Have A Problem

Pushing through a challenge can be very rewarding. It’s awesome when you can see a challenge, give it the finger, and achieve your goals anyhow. It’s a great feeling, however, that’s not always possible – and you know what? That is ok. The reality is that sometimes I really am so depleted that pushing through is the worst possible decision for me to make.  Rest is the only winning option.

I remember a time when I was determined to clean my room. I had zero energy mentally, physically, or emotionally. I knew, however, that my room being clean would make me feel much better. It took me all day; from the time that I woke up, my entire day was focused on cleaning my room. By the end of the day, I had accomplished – nothing lol. My room wasn’t clean, I was behind in work, defeated, anxious, and exhausted. The little bit of energy I had was spent on the futile idea that all I needed to do was push myself to get this task done. What I really needed to do was rest. Had I taken the time to give my being the rest needed, I would have been more than capable of getting my room together and staying on task without consequence.

Allowing myself to accept that I am not in a position to deal with certain stressful events in life and giving myself permission to prioritize my rest and recovery over everything else that is in my control has been super helpful.  Things get done sooner and more efficiently and I feel healthier and more in control.

Tip #2: 10 Toes Down – Keep Your Feet On The Ground

When I’m not ready to clean and organize my home, making sure that the floor is at least clear of clutter does so much good for my mental health! Walking over or on top of things causes me wild stress and anxiety. Even if I’m not doing anything, not being able to see the floor is stressful.

I definitely do not feel any shame, whatsoever, about picking the clutter up off of the floor and putting it on a chair until I am ready to deal with it.  It’s far from a solution, however, it does relieve some of the stress.

Tip #3: Paper And Plastic

When I am depressed, I am not washing dishes. I’m not washing a single dish – sans dish <<(fake French.) I’m thinking about the dishes. I’m strategizing about how dishes will be washed. I am not washing the dishes. No matter what I tell myself, those dishes won’t be touched until I have recuperated and am ready to deal with that negativity lol.

Here comes the problem: I have to stay alive long enough to recoup in order for the dishes to be done. That means that I have to eat food. Food = Dishes. How I keep the dishes from mutating and taking over the world is I switch to paper and plastic dishes and flatware. For those of you who are trying to stay away from plastics, they do make paper and edible alternatives for these ingenious little inventions.

This cuts down significantly on the build up of dishes while I’m getting my energy and mood back up. Secondary effect is that, because there isn’t an uncontrollable mountain growing in my kitchen sink, I am not growing in feelings of overwhelm, giving up, or catastrophizing.

These are some of the steps that I take during times of feeling depleted mentally/emotionally.  When I am ready to return to my regularly scheduled program, I’m not starting off with [too much] chaos 😉

What are some of your coping skills [for the home] during difficult times?