I’m Still Standing

by Jennifer McClure

Sometimes it feels like the best thing we can say is “I’m still standing”. I frequently call this season of our life “Chapter 2”. Chapter 1 of the story was dark, lonely and terrifying.

But, without falling down, there is no comeback story. Without some fear, there’s no humbling. Without some dark, we don’t treasure the light. Without battle, there’s no victory. Without breaking, there’s no breakthrough. To get refined, we need to walk through some fire.

Following a breakdown in 2014, I got stuck in a pit of despair (depression, anxiety, and suicidal) till 2018. Yes, four years of being really, really lost! Prior to that, everything “looked” amazing.

But inside, I was fighting demons nobody saw. I managed it all, until the day I couldn’t. And it all came crashing down like an avalanche. That was chapter 1.

Coming out the other side, this is our Chapter 2.

It’s a story of survival, restoration and gaining wisdom. The journey was tough, but I learned some important things along the way.

Depression and recovery are not the journey I would have chosen, but I believe there’s always a divine plan!

Today, I consider myself completely healed and restored. I’m here to shine a light and give others hope. It’s OK to not be OK, but you also have permission to not stay that way. Play, self-care and emotional management have been vital to my recovery! Certainly this is not a comprehensive list, but here are a few tips for our friends who may be struggling with depression.

TIP #1: Find what brings you joy and do lots of it! Read, sing, buy pretty stuff, create, and laugh!

TIP #2: Hard as it might be, don’t isolate. Intentionally and regularly connect with healthy people.

Also, pain can make us laserfocus on ourselves. Choose to invest energy in serving others.

TIP #3: Be kind to yourself. It’s a process and will take work, patience, and grace.

TIP #4: Get comfortable with receiving support and help from others. Doing so will be a gift to them, as well. I found a lot of my healing in a Celebrate Recovery program.

TIP #5: Be diligently selfaware and vigilantly selfprotective. Evaluate your thoughts to separate truth from lies. Unapologetically guard who and what get access to your soul!

TIP #6: Give your body what it needs: rest, healthy food, exercise, a little “diva time” and sunshine!

TIP #7: Exercise your spirit! I believe we are three parts: body, mind and spirit. All three need to be healthy.