What If I Don't Feel Like Celebrating? (Dealing with Depression During the Holidays)

     It's so hard to be real these days. That is why I am finding it hard to post this, but I know that it may help someone out there so here it goes....

     There was a time when I didn't feel like celebrating the holidays. I was in a dark place. Depression had overtaken my every thought.  I was consumed with sadness. My mind wasn't in the mood to be "happy" about anything let alone celebrate. 

     As a Christian I felt like a failure. I thought I had lost my faith because of how I was feeling. That was a lie from Satan. I didn't stop loving Christ because of my depression. I was human and was taking on too much by myself. I didn't deal with stress well.  I didn't ask for help when I was feeling overwhelmed and scared. My hormones were out of whack.  These things didn't keep me from loving my Savior, they just distracted me from the truths I knew in my heart. 

      My biggest mistake was pretending it was all okay.  I would put on my big fake smile and bluff my way through the activities of the day. No one knew how much I was hurting. It thought it was my duty to make everyone else happy even though I was so unhappy. Lying about my true feelings was only making it worse.  

     Depression is not something we should hide. If we do it can cause us to go to such a dark place that we think of the unthinkable. We ponder what would happen if we were not here. We wonder if others would be better off without us. It's scary to even type these words because I know there are those out there who are feeling this way right now.  They feel desperate. They need someone to come along beside them and take their hand and help lift them out of the that deep dark pit. 

      Depression is not something you just get over. You need help from those who love you. You need support from those who care about you most.  You don't need someone to say "Get over it", "Snap out of it", or "Just be happy".  

     In order for a person who is depressed to get through it, they need understanding, unconditional love and support.  It didn't take a day for them to get into this state of mind and it won't take a day for them to heal.  It's a long road with many bumps and ditches along the way.  

      If you are dealing with depression right now, I encourage you to find someone to talk to. Don't put on your mask and pretend you're fine. Be real. Allow yourself time to heal. Hiding your feelings will not make them go away. You need to be open and honest with your loved ones.  Let them help you through this hard time. 

      If you don't have anyone you trust to share your feelings with, call a help line, a pastor, or doctor that you can talk with.   I promise there are people out there who will be able to help you through this.  You are not alone!!!!    

     It's hard for me to type these next few words, but if you are feeling so sad that you are contemplating taking your own life please call someone who can help you immediately like the suicide prevention hotline.  I know it's scary to talk to someone you don't know, but they are there to help you and talk with you.  

      I am praying for everyone who is feeling depressed during this time. There is hope as long as you have breath.  As someone who has been in that pit, I want to reach out to you and let you know you are not alone in this journey.  Don't lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel.  With prayer, time and the support of others, you can make it to the other side. 

     

   

Our Review of Magic Stix from The Pencil Grip

     Do your children like to use markers? Are you tired of worrying about them drying out and not being washable? Well, we have a solution for these issues. The answer is Magic Stix from The Pencil Grip.  We were given the opportunity to try these markers for free and now we want to review them for you. 

      When they arrived in the mail, our daughter Hope, who is 10 years old, couldn't wait to get her hands on them.  She loves arts and crafts of any type. Markers have always been one of her favorite ways to express herself, but they always seemed to dry out quickly and the colors were not as vibrant as she would like. She opened up the package and right away you could see her mind go to work. 

      The first thing she said was that she loved the box that the markers came in. It is made of a durable plastic that keeps the markers in place for easy use and storage even on the go. We received the 12 count markers but they also come in a 24 pack.  

      It wasn't long before she had them all out and was putting them to use. I asked if they were different from other markers she had used in the past and she immediately said "YES".  She said the colors were vivid. She was also excited to find out they had no odor.  Some markers give her headaches if she uses them too long. She was also impressed with how comfortable they were to use. She said other markers are too large for her hands and make it hard to hold them for a long period of time. These are the perfect size.

      Here are a few of her creations.  She was able to use each color and she loved them! 

      I like the fact they are non-toxic and washable.  I don't have to worry about her getting carried away with her drawings. They also have a guarantee not to dry out even if the cap is left off for seven days.  Can you believe that?  SEVEN DAYS!!!  I have thrown away so many markers because they were left out overnight without their caps and that is such a waste of money.  These won't do that and that is a HUGE deal for our household.  I actually put one to the test and left the cap off for 3 days.  It didn't dry out and it worked just as well as the first day we got them. 

     We are very happy with these markers and encourage you to try them for yourself.  I love a company that guarantees their product and has integrity.  The Pencil Grip is a company that has those attributes.  We love them and will continue to buy and use their wonderful products.