Conquering PPD: Step 1 Finding the Shift

I was discussing with a friend recently about depression and I’d realized that I hadn’t wrote anything about my....my....I don’t like the word battle because I don’t feel I’m battling. I mean, of course, I struggle and of course I attempt to overcome it, yet I just feel battle is too strong...to violent of a word. But alas I digress. 

I haven’t spoken on PPD in quite a while is the point. So....we were discussing the beginning point. Not the realizing I had PPD....I’ve wrote about that.

No, we were discussing the what comes next. You see, once you admit you need help (which is a very hard step) and see a doctor....it doesn’t just magically go away. Oh...how I wish it did.

In all reality, it becomes a daily struggle that you need to work through. You need to learn new coping mechanisms and figure out what triggers you.

But you have to begin somewhere....

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and by no means am I a psychiatric professional. I do not attempt to in any way claim expertise on the matter or suggest that a person use my words as a means of therapy. This is merely my experience and what helped me.

American Proud: Cheers to the Red, White, and Blue

I will always be American.

It may seem strange to you to hear someone say that. It’s kind of like a umm...duh type of statement. But for me, well, this statement took a while to come out of my mouth.

I talk quite a bit about missing home. I talk about the things from America that I love and the family and friends I’ve left behind.

Never do I want these topics to make it seem like I do not love my life in South Africa. I do. I absolutely do.

And most of all, I don’t want the fact that I still and will always call America home to be a deterrent to the fact that South Africa is my home as well.

 

Yep, I have two homes. I’m pretty blessed.

TT- I am Saved

There are a lot of things I believe that a person can be proud of.

I moved across the world to a new country and have managed to make a successful life (at least in my eyes!).

Hubby Dearest and I have merged to cultures together to form a family and are making it work.

Despite all the doubt and despite all the obstacles, I’m 4 years into a wonderful marriage!

I graduated high school….6 months early!!

I started when I was 12 years old, volunteering at the lowest level in a restaurant, and over the next 10 years worked myself all the way up to management.

I gave birth NATURALLY to two wonderful and beautiful boys! One of which I have successfully breastfed for five months!

All of these things I am super proud of in my life. But…none of these are what I am most proud of.

I have known that one day I would share this information with all of you. But I had to wait until God told me it was the right time!

The thing I am most proud of in my life (with my children and husband following at a very VERY close second!) is my relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ.

There was a time in my life where I had fallen as far away from God as I believe was possible for me.

There was a time in my life in which I lived in a very dark and dangerous place.