Comments on: on being stuck, feeling fear, and not giving in to depression we scout wednesday

By: jc

jc — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:44:48 +0000

I’m so happy to see another design blogger covering the topic of depression! I struggled with depression and it wasn’t until I learned to talk to myself in a positive + soothing manner that I started to feel positive about myself..and positive about being alive + my existence. Thank You.

By: Sabrina

Sabrina — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 11:22:48 +0000

I grew up with a mother who was often depressed. She was a complete extrovert, the opposite of me. She didn’t have many friends, though. And on top of her loneliness, she felt guilty because my older brother was born with a congenital heart defect. She blamed herself for his condition, because she fell down a flight of stairs at her apartment building one day when she was newly pregnant.

I didn’t understand her when I was a child. I could spend hours alone in my room, drawing or sewing and listening to the radio. I didn’t need to be around people, and I was actually quite shy. As I got older, I went through bouts of depression myself. Suddenly, I started to understand my mother.

I’ve worked for the same company for 12 years. I’m in retail, and every year I tell myself I’m getting out. Sometimes complacency is as harmful as depression.

However, it can also fuel one to try other things. I know I have a steady part time job. I have medical coverage and vacation time. Its difficult for me to be fired, because I work for a union. So I have taken the lemons I have been given in this life and tried to make lemonade. It isn’t always easy. Customers are demanding and treat me like dirt. But I remind myself of that 10 year old girl, sewing her Barbie clothes on the bedroom floor. That is who I really am. That is what makes my life a creative one.

By: Michele

Michele — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 02:32:21 +0000

WOW!!! I didn’t read every reply to this post but between the post itself and the replies I did read every word spoke to me. I have been up and down like many of you, never knowing when the downs would end so I could look forward to being up again. It is a constant struggle. Everyday the biggest reason I get out of bed is to get my son. Some days its the only reason. I lost my job 2 years ago and have been on a rollercoaster ever since. I took the holidays off to recharge and Valentines day I got pregnant. We had been wanting to start our family, we’d been married 4 years and figured it might be time. Our son is now 11 months old today and the light of our lives. But it has also been a struggle having him. Since he was born my husband has been laid off twice and I have been home with the baby. It just seems like the past couple of months has been one bad thing happening after another. But like many pointed out, this too shall pass. I really really hate being in the midst of my depression (as if anyone actually enjoys it). I feel so deeply lost, overwhelmed, and fatigued. I feel as if I am drowning. But reading your post, Tara, and the replies of all the other strong women here has helped give me a glimmer of hope and confidence that I too can have my cake and eat it too, with my business and family. Thanks again, to everyone!!!

By: 6 Ways To Let Go of Fear (no thinking required)

6 Ways To Let Go of Fear (no thinking required) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:06:55 +0000

[...] was just reading Tara’s latest post on Scoutie Girl. She always pours herself into every post she does and it always inspires [...]

By: elissa c

elissa c — Sun, 23 May 2010 10:58:26 +0000

Thank you for sharing. I work in a non-creative industry (medicine) where depression is very prevalent and we still don’t talk about it much even though we all know better. Thanks for being brave and open enough to share your story and feelings.

By: Jenny Hoople

Jenny Hoople — Fri, 21 May 2010 15:36:37 +0000

Here’s an awesome 20 min video to add to the discussion! http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html Writer Elizabeth Gilbert talks about the pressure and weight put on creative pursuits and what it’s like for the artist when great success comes and passes. She talks about the need to bring back the ancient idea that the creative genius comes from an outside/paranormal/god entity and states that we humans should be applauded for having the “sheer human love and stubbornness to keep showing up.”

It’s very inspirational and is a perfect compliment to our discussion.
*hugs*

By: Shelley

Shelley — Fri, 21 May 2010 02:46:16 +0000

This is something that I struggle with constantly. I get stuck in unrewarding jobs & I create to feel better & give share something with the world. I’d love to be able to create full time, but I don’t make enough. When business is slow, I wonder if it’s because I am unworthy & then I feel depressed & don’t want to do anything. It’s a horrible circle. I once had a friend say that he thought I wasn’t afraid of anything. I responded that I was afraid of everything. I was surprised that he thought I was unafraid & I think he was surprised that I said I was afraid of everything. There are many things I do, even though I am afraid, trying to get unstuck, especially when I hear someone say they don’t think I can accomplish the task, maybe that’s where he got the idea. I’m always afraid, though.
Thanks for sharing that we are not alone in our depression or being stuck.

My first Handmade Spark article was about this http://www.handmadespark.com/blog/head-towards-growth/
It’s not Wednesday anymore, so I’ll just post the link here

By: Alicia

Alicia — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:56:40 +0000

Very inspiring post Tara. It inspired me to share my struggle with focus: http://www.weezawear.com/?p=374

By: Nicola

Nicola — Thu, 20 May 2010 08:19:33 +0000

I have loved reading this post and all the comments. I love how so many people use creativity to help overcome fear, depression, inertia etc. My creativity is my photography. Whenever I’m out with my camera it always makes me feel fulfilled. It’s the one thing guaranteed to get me into ‘the zone’, into flow and it never fails to brighten my mood. It’s the thing I feel I need to do.

I write about and am fascinated by, what I call, ‘creative divine’, which is all about connecting to your source, experiencing flow or who you truly are, often by using creativity. It’s not anything new – a lot of people such as Wayne Dyer write about source and how powerful it can be to access that part of ourselves. (Wayne Dyer has a great DVD out as well called ‘The Shift’ which you may like).

My theory is that whenever we are out of alignment in some way it can manifest as being stuck. It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot over the last few months and I wrote a post a few days ago (http://wholeselfblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/aligning-with-whole-self.html) about not being centred or being out of kilter. I recently resigned from my job to pursue my creative life. I’m learning a lot about being patient! How being fearful or positive impacts the degree of ‘stuckness’. And how being authentic is the only way to go despite how scary that can sometimes feel.

By: ldeandyment

ldeandyment — Thu, 20 May 2010 06:30:26 +0000

*Sigh* I think perhaps you were writing about me. How did you get into my head so clearly? I too suffer bouts of depression and wonder if I will ever “get out” and into a better mind set. Creating art has been my means of survival.
I’m hoping that if I stop my birth control that all those extra female hormones will stop clouding my vision and I will see the light at the end of the tunnel. Fingers crossed.
Thanks for another great post.