tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005544466971487151.post4507101230767001561..comments2023-07-10T03:52:19.493-04:00Comments on Welcoming Weight Loss: On Ending the StigmaKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03568186553640374056noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005544466971487151.post-74293530631161272582018-01-06T20:35:28.394-05:002018-01-06T20:35:28.394-05:00So many thoughts....
Uhm I guess I'll start w...So many thoughts....<br /><br />Uhm I guess I'll start with, having lived with someone with depression for over two decades and part of that before it was diagnosed or being treated in any way gives me some insight. I do the thing of trying to make sure someone eats. With someone long distance from me it doesn't always go as well. One friend is particularly resistant and I usually get an "I'll try" which I know means she's not willing to lie to commit to it but she's not got much faith it will happen. But when I am with someone my trick is usually to make food for myself and just well...not feel so much like eating it anymore, and usually them taking it over just so it isn't wasted is a good trick.<br /><br />As far as the discomfort you talk about throughout the post, there's a thing I've heard of about and my brain isn't recalling it's exact wording but it's about making space. It's doing exactly what you are saying just being there, allowing someone to vent without offering a way to fix it. Not trying to make you "feel better" because it's uncomfortable to be around someone that is being a downer. I am quite empathetic and sometimes I think I seem empathic if it were a real thing. <br /><br />I don't have mental illnesses but I do have several "invisible" illnesses and they affect my ability to function and can even give me a bad brain day. I just had to think for two minutes to remember the word empathetic in fact. It's near the end of the day. I've started wearing glasses and forget to and by the end of the day my eyes are strained and it's frustrating. <br /><br />I try very hard to tell people I'm proud of them for doing the things that they CAN do when they are in bad places. I also try to give encouragement that I have faith that they will get to a better place I just can't tell them how. I hope that comes across differently than feeling like they failed something. <br /><br />I honestly think that the holding space to allow someone to make you uncomfortable is a practice that should be done widely. Most people could benefit from it whether they have a mental illness or not. It's a very difficult skill to master but a lot of people would feel better support from their friends and family if they were allowed to go through the feelings be uncomfortable through to the end of feeling it. Then they can resolve things and have less baggage and possibly reduce stress, and anxiety overall. <br /><br />Anyway, I hope you know I'm always in your corner, I hope everything works out as you need them to, in your time and schedule so you don't have to rush along and be more upsetting to you. <br /><br />Basically I have hope that each new day brings you a new fresh start towards whatever your goals are whether it's taking a shower, your medications on schedule, cleaning a space, helping your boys, or writing. And I'll give you a hells yeah for any day when you conquer the goals that make you feel badass. *hugs*Crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18202084059277307247noreply@blogger.com