Well...

I've been overwhelmed by the response to my last post.  Thank you.  It's interesting to me how many people wish they understood more how depression feels.  I am all too aware that it is those who are trying to support people who are low that suffer greatly too.  Everyone ends up feeling helpless.

I'm not an expert, not by a long way.  And I'm not in any way trying to be a spokesperson for the many people struggling along the cloudy spectrum.

I'm not going to start dishing out advice, and I'm certainly not going to start over-sharing my journey on the internet!

If I blog it will be in the spirit of openness and in the hope that my words can reach out to any one else who might need to feel less alone.  Maybe a couple of people might find some understanding or encouragement.

I have wanted to try and get through my low times and erase them from my history.  They are not the seasons I want to remember when I am old and I don't want them to be part of my identity.

However, the more accept that these clouds have taken up a lot of my time and will continue to be part of my landscape I can no longer deny that they are shaping me and are a legitimate chapter in my book.

So I'm going to claim this sad season and make it an opportunity; this is going to be the time when I am humbled, when I learn compassion and how to ask for help.  I will do my best to use this rough time to sand off my edges and fingers crossed I'll look back on it all with something like pride?

Let's see.

p.s. for anyone wanting some tips for supporting someone this is a good summary