Hi Kelli! Almost anyone who knows me will tell you I am a very upbeat person and have a great and positive attitude about eveything. Well the trueth is we all have down times. Especially when we have survived something that altered our lives...be it physical or emotional. Some of the things that I personally have struggled with is my independence. Needing help especially when I have to ask my kids to help me with something really bothers me to the core. I guess because I am mom and am suppose to be helping them not the other way around. I have good days and bad day. Usually a bad day is set off by one of my limitations but sometimes I just feel irritated and upset and there really isnt any one thing I can point my fingure at to explain why. And then I get more upset because I feel like everyone can see I am upset and its not fair to them. Its can be visicious circle. I have managed to get some what of a handle on it. Unfortunately because I have a wide aray of health issues I can not take anti depressents. Some of the things I have found helpful are:
~ staying busy...if I am just sitting around it can be very bad for me...my brain needs to be active
~ chatting online with friends
~ listening to up beat music and getting myself into it...you know having a total jam session
~ take a nap...I know for some people that doesnt work but for me because my short term memory is bad by the time I take a nap and wake up I wont remember why I was upset so I tend to move on
To be honest there are times when nothing helps. It dont happen very often but when it does I try to stay surrounded by my family and we get through it together. It will eventually pass....but man it can be hard waiting for it to pass. I know a lot of people on here know exactly what I mean by that. I have been blessed with a great support system which definately helps. My husband has been amazing! My kids, parents, friends...they have all been great. Some of them have went above and beyond and some have just been there when I needed to talk. People on this site included.
Aside from family and friends the thing that I have found most effective in getting past the bad days is a tattoo I have. I have a tattoo on my right wrist of a rainbow. I initially got it to remind me of God's promises. But it has become so much more for me. It reminds me that in life we all have storms that come and reek havick on our lives. Some have catastrophic effects and leave behind lots of damage and hurt and scars. But when it comes to storms both the ones we see on the weather channel and the ones we see in our lives...all storms end. They never last forever. Not only that but the bigger the storm the bigger and brighter the rainbow is when its finally over. My tattoo reminds me to keep looking for my rainbow when times get tough. I hope that helps someone. It sure has helped me alot.