Little Red vs. Big Bad Wolf

This is a story

Little Red vs. Big Bad Wolf

Let me tell you a story. No, not of Little Red Riding Hood, that’s been done…just Little Red, a regular girl trying to get through an average day. The seemingly endless days of terror walking the same route to her grandmother’s place, being stalked by the Big Bad Wolf. Maybe she had to go to her granny’s because her mom and dad were working, or maybe only one of them was around, or was a fit parent, or maybe she just lived with Granny full-time because she was her legal guardian. In any event, that route was traveled daily and was very scary and dark for Little Red. Then, she saw another girl with protection, something to make her feel safe and strong, who had to take a similar path to school. So, to keep a long story short; Little Red followed suit and found herself not cowering before the looming wolf but standing strong. Was having the beast around still scary? A little, but she finally had the tools to defend herself; all thanks to realizing that not only was she not the only one in that situation, but that there is a way to improve it. She still had to walk that dark path, and darkness can still be frightening but at last it didn’t feel like the end of the world, like it was coming to an end every time she crossed it.

That picture is one that my father found for me and is now hanging prominently in my dorm room. At first glance, it looks like a funny and edgy take on a children’s story but to me, it’s so much more. It’s entirely possible I’m just a little bit crazy and read depression into everything but this picture makes me smile every time I see it. It reminds me that even when I’m feeling low, I do actually know how to help myself, there is a solution and my world isn’t closing in around me. 

I’m the first to admit that this sucks. But for some reason, viewing my meds and my own personal forms of therapy as holding an AK47 up against depression makes me feel kinda awesome. I’m still haunted by the shadow of the Big Bad Wolf sometimes even when I’m just doing everyday things but when I start to feel that breath on my neck, I can turn around and give him some hell. 

I guess what I’m really trying to say is that, if you are Little Red, know that there is a whole arsenal waiting for you. It might not be easy all the time, even when you’re holding all the protection you’ve got but hold on, maybe try a couple different (healthy) solutions, and you’ll find the right protection for yourself. If you need a few suggestions check out,  Rock Bottom or Taking The Time.