Rock bottom. It’s a place most of us have to go at some point in our lives. It’s dark, it’s bad and it hits hard. So where do you go when you feel like you’re stuck in the darkest, deepest hole around? Up.
I’ve been to rock bottom. I’ve been to the place where all you want is a drink and something to throw but at the same time you just want to curl up in a ball and cry. The feeling like you're totally empty and void of anything resembling happiness, where your interior feels like it’s tearing itself apart...but you look fine to the outside world and nobody seems to notice or care that you are falling to pieces. I did the stupid things you think will help, and they do, but never for long enough.
No matter what brought you to that bottom, everyone who gets there has something in common, it’s hard to tell which way is up and how to project yourself in that direction once you've identified it. So in hopes that having been there myself will mean that someone sees value in this, I’ve compiled a few suggestions to help with this process.
1) Tell someone. Yes, I recognize how much I’m asking of you here. Nobody wants to be seen as weak. But this isn't weakness, it’s allowing a human to see that you are human too…which hypothetically they already knew, so you’re really just getting it off your chest rather than shattering some huge illusion. I know you may be scared of people judging you and that’s normal, so if you’re afraid to totally open up, take a first step; tell someone that you’re not doing great, maybe as to get coffee, see where it goes. Talking is good therapy…that’s why there’s a profession based around it (even if you’re not talking to a professional).
2) Find a hobby. Personally, I’d recommend something creative. I paint. I don’t think I’m good at it but that’s not the point, the point is that when I do it I feel like I’m releasing something within me, allowing myself to just take a break from over-thinking and whatever else is going on. Other things I’ve seen work are; writing, re-decorating a bedroom, drawing, making someone a present, taking artsy pictures around the house of neighbourhood, building things from Lego. Also, all these activities are good at keeping your hands busy and are VERY good if you have self-harming tendencies.
3) Start spreading some love. There is always something you could be doing to make someone else's life better. Hugs are always a good example of this, start hugging people, you friends, family, people you live with, most people like hugs (and if they don’t maybe you can get to know how they receive love best and do something special for them). As anyone who reads this knows, I’m a big fan of handing out flowers. Another fun and easy thing you could do is send people posts from this site, Daily Odd Compliment , that remind you of them. Loving each other is in our nature, even if you feel like you’ve got nothing in you to give, there is always something and making someone else smile is so warming.
Know who else deserves love? you. So included in spreading love is doing something for you. Take a spa day, do your nails, take a nice shower, maybe put on a relaxing face mask, watch your favourite movie, drink your favourite (non-alcoholic) drink. Or if you’re not into that kind of stuff, maybe you watch a *insert sport* game, listen to some tunes, play an instrument, play with a pet or go for a walk/jog.
These are just a couple ideas and if you have more please comment! You are worth the fight. There is an up, I promise.
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