To share how far I've come

[lolastheme9]

Because it isn't really something I talk about in real life, but am reflecting and feeling proud of myself today. 30 years old, 2 young children, was severely depressed for years. Kids were running feral, house was a tip, I couldn't drag myself out of bed. Bailiffs turning up at the door because I didn't pay my bills and I had no motivation to sort it. All 3 of us living off crap food. Fast forward to now, I love spending quality time with my children, I have learnt how to keep an organised home. I adore our cosy flat. I get up every morning and put a home cooked meal in the slow cooker for us. I don't have a lot of money, but that is because I am repaying my debts. I no longer have the worry of bailiffs turning up to take our things. I'm even starting driving lessons next month. I know most of these are just basic to most people, but to me, after my life being such a mess, they seem a massive achievement. This morning I was feeling a little down about being single at 30, and I think it is helpful to look back at how much things have changed for me over the past couple of years. Good things take time. For anyone currently suffering with depression, I hope this post helps you ❤

Congratulations on your amazing journey.

That’s really great to read OP. I’d also love to know how you turned it around?

Love this - thanks for sharing.

Feel proud of your achievements, it takes strength and courage to recognise how bad a situation is and pull yourself out of it!

Well done! Sounds like you’re doing amazing 👏💐

Well done!! That’s amazing, you should be so proud of your achievement.

Well done, what an inspiration you are

So impressed. Well done!

Inspiring and amazing OP - it can’t have been easy to get to where you are now. Your kids are so lucky to have you!

That's really great to read. Well done to you

You are amazing OP! 👏

Huge achievement from a very difficult position. Well done OP

Without going into too much detail are you able to say how you managed such a great change.

You're an inspiration here, and more importantly to your DC. Thanks for brightening my day!

Well done. Such an inspirational story. Wishing you the best.

What a lovely post to read
Well done. I hope you continue to go far.

Well done!

Actually... BLOODY well done!

It's so hard to drag yourself out of depression. Was there a deciding moment when you said, "Right! That's IT! I'm not living like this any longer!" or was it more of a gradual change?

Thank you so much everyone. For those asking how I managed to turn things around, for me it was a case of lots of little changes, rather than one big change. I had a very bad reaction to antidepressants first started by taking vitamins and slowly making changes to my diet. I started sorting my flat, one room at a time and made a "daily housework checklist" to stick to. For me, lists have been very unhelpful. I feel that I have achieved something when I tick something off the list. I actually bought a planner in the end, for my housework list and other things I want to achieve that week. I set mini goals for myself to begin with, 2 a week, these were things like "make sure the changing bag is packed the night before" it sounds so trivial, but soon little things like this become habit and it makes a difference to your overall life. I would also really reccomend the book "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" for anyone suffering with anxiety/depression and wanting to make changes to their life. It has made such a difference to my outlook. It has taken a couple of years to get to where I am now, but with these small daily changes and personal goals, I have done it. I will add more later, when the little ones are in bed, if you are all interested :) so overwhelmed by these responses. Thank you so much

Should say, *so started taking vitamins, not first

And should say lists have been very helpful, not unhelpful

And with regards to my debt, I sat down one day and phoned each company one by one and was totally honest about my situation. I was amazed by how kind and helpful each company was

What a lovely and inspiring post. Well done OP - you should be rightly proud of yourself!

Its fab to have someone show that even huge struggles CAN be overcome. There is always hope.

Well done OP, looks like you've been jolly resilient to pull yourself up.

You should be so proud of yourself! There are plenty of people, myself included, who are nowhere near as on top of their lives as you are.
Well done

Thank you! Another positive change made was to remove myself from Facebook. My self esteem was low and I would compare myself to people on there. That was definitely one of my best decisions. I do not miss it at all. I also reflect at the end of each day. For example, I will go and stand over toddler DS sleeping in his cot. I will look at him in his clean PJs and with a full tummy and think, the PJs are clean because I washed them, his tummy is full because I fed him. It reminds me that the things I do matter, even if they are only very small things

OP this is a wonderful post. You have every right to feel proud of yourself for pulling yourself out of a slump and getting it together. You also sound incredibly grateful for all you have and that is a brilliant attitude that will serve you well in the long run. (I need to take a leaf out of your book.) Keep doing what you’re doing. X