In Over My Head

 SOTD - Today Has Been Okay

It's been a while since I last put my thoughts together here. I could make up a few excuses, but the truth is, I lost interest and assumed most of you did, too. Which is kind of ironic, because this post is going to be about how I've lost interest in nearly everything. 

A professional would call it depression; a term that carries lots of preconceived ideas and implications, but truthfully, it's accurate.

I've struggled with some form of depression since I was 12. If you know me, it might not always be apparent, but I am always trying to manage my emotions. Lately, this has become a real challenge. 

I could blame it on the ripple effect of Covid-19 -- the isolation, the constant worry, the daily adjustments to the new "normals" of life -- but that wouldn't be fair. My depression comes from a lifetime of behavior and thoughts that started long before Coronavirus was something we talked about at the dinner table. 

For the last month of so, things have really been rough. For me, that means not wanting to talk to anyone or do anything. Many days I experience panic attacks which look a lot like an emotional breakdown where I can't catch my breath and cry for no reason at all. They are triggered by thoughts and are completely out of my control. 

Control is another issue. I am the kind of person who needs to feel like they have control over everything and lately -- I have control over NOTHING. It's a bit of a relentless cycle that feeds on the insecurity of not having control and makes everything seem so much worse than it might actually be. 

Last week I attempted to seek professional help, contacting three different mental health facilities; one over an hour away. None of the clinics I spoke with were accepting new patients. I have a doctor in my hometown who prescribes an antidepressant, but as the song says: the drugs don't work anymore. 

I am not writing this for sympathy. Quite the opposite, actually. Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay and I want to share my story for anyone who might be going through something similar. With depression and anxiety there is a natural pull toward self isolation. Shutting down and keeping the dark parts secret is completely normal. But this is also what makes going through depression so challenging and lonely. 

I am fortunate that I have family and friends who I am comfortable with, who know about my depression, and love me anyway. I talk to my mom and a good friend daily. They let me fall apart and don't try to fix it -- because let's be real, fixing it isn't exactly an option (or I would have already). Being able to experience my struggle without judgement is one of the few good things about going through it, but I still feel guilty when they have to take that journey with me. 

I don't have the answers for how to solve the problems I -- or anyone else -- face. I won't even pretend to try. But I know that you can beat loneliness by surrounding yourself with others. You can beat hopelessness by reminding yourself of what you've overcome, instead of focusing on what you still have to achieve. You can bring yourself out of the darkness by shining a light on the things you think have to stay hidden. And maybe most importantly, don't try to do it all alone. Life is meant to be shared and experienced with others -- we were never meant to do any of it alone. Let people in. Let them help you. Let them love you. 

Obviously, I'm still working on taking my own advice, but it felt important for me to share this. If I know you in real life, I hope you know that I am always here for you. Even in the midst of my own struggles, I would rather listen to your problems than attend your funeral. And I mean that. 

I hope to add more stories to the rabbit hole in the weeks ahead (hopefully, more fun and less heavy...) so stay tuned. 

xo

I can't even

SOTD: The World Spins Madly On -- The Weepies

"The night is here and the day is gone//And the world spins madly on//I thought of you and where you'd gone//And the world spins madly on"

I know what you must be thinking: Life must be really kicking her ass if she's dusted off the "Rabbit Hole." 

Well, yes. But also, you know, sometimes you just need to Nora Ephron your way out of your own troubles and maybe write yourself a better ending. At least that's what I've convinced myself. 

Earlier this afternoon, I was scrolling Facebook when I encountered a photo of a young boy that I recognized. Above the photo was a brief post that began with the words, "This story is so heartbreaking," or something relatively similar. I was curious why this little boy who I recognized as the young son of an ex-boyfriend was breaking hearts. So, I read. 

In an instant I learned that the little boy had been murdered -- by his father -- in a murder-suicide. 

I froze. 

I reread. 

The words were the same. 

I stopped breathing for a full minute... 
My mind raced with every possible scenario that didn't involve what was just described. 

I finally took another breath. 

I reread the article attached to the story. 
My mind was tripping over itself trying to make sense of absolute nonsense. 

I began to tremble. 

Before I lost control of myself, I did the only thing I knew -- I reposted the story with a brief note about my speechlessness and concern for his wife and family. 

I began to shake. 

The next thing I remember was being in my mother’s arms. She lives next door so it only seems logical that I would go to her house for comfort. After sharing the tragic news I set out to do what I have had to do too many times in recent months -- contact mutual friends so they didn't find out the way I did. Sharing heartbreaking news is never easy, but this one was particularly troubling in a way I can't even put into words. 

Over the next few hours I would share conversations with friends I hadn't spoken with in at least a decade or more and took in messages from friends who relayed sympathy for what I can still only describe as a senseless and unnecessary tragedy. 

Along the way I began to remember every good and bad thing about our long on and off again relationship, which lasted through most of my college years. I recalled how even my own friends viewed me as the villain in our story after the breakup because he was just too gentle of a soul to have carried any blame. And for the most part, they were right. 

I remembered the night we first said "I love you" and how I had never said that to a guy before and it felt like I had rolled a boulder over a mountain. Then the night we shared that ultimately ended any chance we had at a future and the four other times we tried and failed to make it work. 

I remembered his handwriting and how it was ALWAYS better than mine. And his laugh. The stupidest things were amusing to him. I never understood how anyone could be that happy all the damn time. 

I escaped my memories long enough to see more of the story and it only left me with more questions. 

I will never understand the events that ended not only his life, but that of his 8 year old son. I can only say, the person I knew and loved would've never done this. 

I always imagined that one day, decades from now, we would reunite and laugh about the stupid things we did when we were young and didn't know any better. In my imagination, all of our friends would've been there and we would all just have the best time reminiscing. That dream was likely unrealistic, but the reality that it is now impossible is hard to swallow. 

If you are the praying kind, keep the Talley and Reagan families in your prayers. If not, send them good vibes. I cannot imagine their pain, but I'm certain, even Nora Ephron couldn't write them out of it. 

Dedication

Growing up in the eighties, without the internet, before CDs, it wasn't uncommon to sit on my bedroom floor listening to Delilah on some soft rock radio station in Atlanta. I was always intrigued by the people who would call in and tell their stories and then request a very specific song to be played - a dedication to someone they love, were estranged from or maybe just someone who's attention they were trying to get. I always wondered if their intended ever got the message. Probably not, I would think. 

It's been a while since I've posted & shared an entry here, but I promise, I am still writing. But because this is real life and, other, real, people are involved, I've decided it's best to write these stories, but I don't know if, or when, I will share them. It's the right thing to do. 

I can, however, try something new and also give you some insight into where my head and heart are.  Whether I'm writing, painting or simply sitting in the backyard thinking about life, I usually have music playing in the background. This week, a specific playlist has been on repeat and it's no coincidence that each song reminds me of a different person and situation they (or, sometimes, we) are going through. 

So, here's this weeks playlist. The YouTube link will take you to the full playlist, in case you need a little musical destruction. Also, if your initials appear beside one of the songs on the playlist, I am dedicating it to you. I believe most of you will understand why when you listen to the song and I apologize in advance if this makes anyone cry; but you should know I have cried at least once this week over each and every song. I've also taken a few of my favorite lyrics from each and emphasized the message I hope the person it is dedicated to will receive. 

I might not always make them personal, but I hope to continue to share playlists like this. So, without further ado, here's August 2016: 

YouTube Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHE-p6AC0ojTtFeJJnS1Dx8N_7aqlZA41

 1) Something Beautiful by Tori Kelly 

 2) I Will Be There by Odessa

 3) Stand By You by Rachel Platten

 4) How To Save A Life by Nilu (cover)

 5) Buy This Town by Lori McKenna

 6) America's Sweetheart by Elle King

 7) Brave by Nichole Nordeman

 8) I'll Never Go Away by Erin McCarley

 9) Somebody To Love by Kacey Musgraves

10) Lost Boy by Ruth B 

Something Beautiful: (alpo) "Can't feel the love without the pain. The sun won't shine without the rain. You're not required to carry the weight. So let it go, here's my hand to hold. At the end of it all there's a smile for you waiting. So, breath in & let it go. Your tears are not for nothing. Let them fall, off. In every tear drop there is something beautiful. You are stronger than you know. You're something beautiful". 

I Will Be There: (glw/crw) "If you ever need someone, to just love you. If you ever need someone, to simply adore you. I will be there. Standing by your side."

Stand By You: (glw) "Tears, make kaleidoscopes in your eyes. And hurt, I know you're hurting but so am I. And, love, if your wings are broken, borrow mine 'til yours can open, too. 'Cause I'm gonna stand by you...Even if we can't find heaven, I'll walk through hell with you. Love, your not alone, 'cause I'm gonna stand by you". 

How To Save A Life: (cbwl) "Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend somewhere along in the bitterness" 

Buy This Town: (tlw) "If I could buy one night, I wouldn't buy the one you'd think. I'd buy the one when my eyes teared up by the light above the kitchen sink. And you held me tight. And begged me not to cry. If I could buy the sweetness of one kiss, well, that's the one I'd buy. If I, could buy one night. All the money in the world couldn't buy a drop of real love could it? And it really shouldn't now should it? If I could buy the stars, I'd polish them so bright". 

America's Sweetheart: (apw) "My kind of medicine is whiskey straight. I got a mouth to put you in your place, and they said I'll never be the poster type, but, they don't make posters of my kind of life...What do you want from me? I'm not america's sweetheart. So beat the drum with me; I'm not america's sweetheart. Well, they say I'm too loud for this town, so, I lit a match and burned it down. What do you want from me? I'm not america's sweetheart - but you'll love me anyway". 

Brave: (lso) "I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame. Every storm will start with just a drop of rain. But if you believe in me, that changes everything". 

I'll Never Go Away: (glw/alpo/tlw/apw) "I know you never thought, you could hurt this much. Losing what you love. You've lost yourself, your numb. Even though it's dark, there's a light somewhere inside you. Let me hold your hands, I'll help you find your feet again. It's okay to cry. How can I let you know - I got love. I got you love. I'll never go away, I'll never go away". 

Somebody To Love: (drmwah) "We're all livin' 'til we're dying. We ain't cool, but man we're trying. Just thinking we'll be fixed by someone else. Just trying to hold it all together. We all wish our best was better. Just hoping that forever's really real. We'll miss a dime to grab a nickel, over complicate the simple. We're all little kids just looking for love. Yeah, don't we all just want somebody to love"? 

Lost Boy: (kaw/jaae/mae) "There was a time, when I was alone. Nowhere to go and no place to call home. My only friend was the man in the moon. And even sometimes he would go away, too. Then one night, as I closed my eyes, I saw a shadow flying high. He came to me with the sweetest smile; told me he wanted to talk for a while. He said, "Peter Pan. That's what they call me. I promise that you'll never be lonely". And ever since that day... I am a lost boy from Neverland. Usually hanging out with Peter Pan. And when we're bored we play in the woods. Always on the run from Captain Hook. "Run, run, lost boy," they'd say to me. "Away from all of reality..."

Lights will guide you home

SOTD: "Fix You" - Coldplay

"Tears stream down your face. I promise oh. Will learn from my mistakes". 

I wish there was a magic pill, or even a hug, that could actually fix me. This is a hard place to be. As the song says, 'stuck in reverse'. It seems every time I manage to find a little joy it's gone before I can actually allow it to spread into other areas of my life. 

I've read all the cliches. A heart must break to let the light in. Diamonds are made from coal that withstands intense pressure. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. They don't help. It especially doesn't help when the people who know and love me describe me and lead with "the strongest woman I've ever known". I'm not as strong as they think. If I were I wouldn't be crying as I type this entry. I know what it means to sit at a bar and ask the bartender to pour me something stronger than me. (It would be more helpful if the bartender knew what that meant.) 

A vindictive person has decided that my encouragement of her daughter, to think for herself and question things that don't make sense, is out of line. To prove this, she has forbid her daughter from having any kind of communication with me and to ensure her daughter never has an original thought of her own, she took away her phone an computer. This precious child is 13 years old and from what I've read in her blog, deeply troubled. Something I can relate to. The feeling that life would be better without you in it. The difference being, the world would not be better without my Gabby, but there are more days than not I feel the world wouldn't actually miss me. 

I fight until there is no fight left in me. I avoid talking to my mother because I don't want to disappoint her. And today, the most promising job lead I've had since unexpectedly losing the job I gave up everything for, sent an email to tell me they are going in a different direction. 

If anybody knows how to fix me, please, please tell me. I don't know how many more days I can cry and still manage to get out of bed, get dressed and smile like nothing's wrong. 

I'm taking a break for a while. Don't worry - I will be fine. I just don't know how yet. 

Peace and love y'all. 

That was then...

SOTD: "Long Live" - Taylor Swift

"Will you take a moment, promise me this. That you'll stand by me forever, but if God forbid fate should step in and force us into a goodbye. If you have children some day. When they point to the pictures, please tell them my name...Tell them how I hope they shine!"

Believe it or not, I have actually been doing quite a bit of writing on here - only, it seems, I'm keeping most of it for myself! Last night I was working on a piece that I had every intention of posting. I had a deep emotional connection to it as I was writing, but then life happened making it even more personal. By the time I completed it, I was audibly sobbing. {It had to do with that real life interruption that just happened to seamlessly weave into my original post}

For better or worse, I was unable to share that piece. Not because it was too personal. In fact, I wanted the whole world to read it in that moment, but instead of 'publish' I accidentally pressed 'delete'. No matter how hard I try, there's no way I could come close to recreating that post. I accept that sometimes fate steps in and perhaps this was simply meant for me only. 

Tonight I've been thinking a lot about the past... And the future. {The present really is a difficult thing for me...} What I've realized is that although there are so many wonderful memories in the past, the people who helped me make them aren't really meant to be part of my future. We are different people living different lives. I am not saying I am washing my hands of them; I'm accepting our new reality and choosing to let them go. 

It's too painful to live through life feeling forgotten or unappreciated. I accepted long ago that I am one of the few people who still respect the art of a handwritten thank you note. I have made peace with it, although I don't ever see myself existing in a world where I don't send a card for a birthday or special occasion. I hope those who receive them will appreciate them as much as I enjoy sending them. 

My choice to let go of the people in my past is not easy. In fact, I expect that even after I post this, I will struggle with this choice. I will miss our inside jokes and the sound of their laughter. There will always be things that remind me of them. I imagine there will even be a few nights when I cry myself to sleep wishing I could call or text them for advice. It won't be easy. 

Deciding to let go has everything to do with creating a healthier future for myself. I need to feel like I can allow people into my life and not worry if they are going to get too busy to return a call or keep plans. I need to surround myself with people who are going through similar life challenges as myself - not people contemplating divorce or having babies. I need to know that if my world falls apart on a Tuesday night, there's someone I can call...who won't just answer, but will insist I let them be there. I've spent too much time making my life more accessible to people who rarely remember I actually exist. To say this has harmed my self worth would be an understatement. 

Obviously, I still care a great deal for the people from my past. A couple are even more important to me than most of my family members and have held my hand through some of my most difficult challenges. But I am in the middle of another one of those challenges and I not only don't have a hand to hold, the person who stood by my side so many times before doesn't even know I'm going through it. This has been an eye opening experience. It's not that I don't want to share it, I just don't think it matters anymore; at least not in context to their own life. 

The only thing I know for sure is that I have no idea how much time I have left. Whether it is months or years, I want to make the rest of my life, the best of my life. The only way I know how to do that is to let go of the past and embrace whatever and whoever the future holds. I will always hold our memories with great fondness. But now, I'm moving on. That was then. 

This is now.