just a little something i wanted to share (long)

[Craiga 01453]

this might get a little TMI but, oh well. i felt i needed to get this off my chest.


i have anxiety and depression; i've been battling with it ever since i was ~16 (i'm 26). for almost two months now i've been going through a spot of fairly deep depression, and it sucks. work has been miserable (50+ hours a week for a month straight), my social life has been practically non-existent, and it all started to take a toll on me. for almost two months i kind of stopped showering, brushing my teeth, my hair, stopped cleaning and doing laundry, eating like sh00t because i stopped caring about any sort of diet, and generally just trying to do as little as possible.

a couple days ago, i noticed Corny needed a total enclosure cleaning. it took a lot from me to get started, but i realized i had to do it for him; this wasn't about me right now. i went ahead and cleaned everything and put him back. i felt really accomplished.

after that i looked around my room and decided well, i did one thing today. let's try two. i picked up my dirty clothes and hung the clean clothes that i left in the laundry basket for almost two weeks. i actually started feeling good.

two days ago, my python gang were all available for handling, so i decided to take photos. seeing everyone out and in beautiful lighting made me realize i've been doing an awesome job with them; they're all thriving in my care and that's all because of ME. despite how i've been feeling, THEY feel awesome because of me. i kind of had a moment taking those photos, and it really helped me get a leg up to get out of this hole i found myself in.

that night i cleaned myself up and took care of myself. tonight i'm going to go buy a new dress for a wedding this weekend, and i'll be cleaning out Spaghetti's enclosure and doing my laundry.


baby steps, but i'm feeling better. these baby steps were possible because my noodles made me realize i am capable of caring for myself and others, despite how i'm feeling. this all might sound silly to someone who has never dealt with a mental health disorder, but these kinds of break-throughs are a big deal to someone like me.

thanks for reading. i hope you all don't think i'm some weird-o!!!

Wow, awesome thread!!! Thank you so much for sharing. As you can see through the replies above, a lot of us can relate, myself included. You're certainly not a weirdo, or, maybe you are, but THAT'S OK!!! I am without a doubt a weirdo, hahahahahha, but I've made peace with that fact. I'm me, and I like me.

Sometimes just doing that one little thing gets the ball rolling...and then you share your story with your BP.net friends and inspire us.

Believe me, I know how tough depression and anxiety can be, I've dealt with it personally for about 20 years, and I've watched my mother suffer from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and agoraphobia for even longer. I'm proud of you and your courage to share your story, it made a great day even better (my nephew was born last night and I just got home from visiting and meeting him at the hospital. My brother, sister-in-law and baby are all doing well).

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for this inspirational thread