I bet as you’re reading this, you are wondering how someone can make such a bold claim. That there is no way there is a magical solution to rid yourself of the black cloud and deep void that most others call depression. The magical solution to depression is that there is none. There is no right way to deal with it, there is no easy fix especially one to be found on the internet. The magical solution to depression is understanding that you have it, it is there and you can sink or swim.
So right now you are probably saying, “wow, super harsh there.” The truth is I am harsh on depression, mostly because I’ve been living with it for as long as I can remember. I know The deep dark holes that I somehow always find myself in or the days where I would rather lie in bed in a burrito of blankets than to face anything in reality. I’m not the only one, I know I’m not the only one who can feel overwhelmingly sensitive or completely empty. Those with depression will often tell you it isn’t just Some days. Its a lot of days, a lot of nights and a lot of time; when an overwhelming sense of sadness, self-hate, and terrible thoughts plague almost every waking moment until you can do nothing but cry in despair and wish you didn’t feel it.
What is depression?
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines depression as:
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a state of feeling sad
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a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, and unimportant and often is unable to live in a normal way.
A little further…
Each persons depression is their own, just like feelings or fingerprints. Drugs, therapy, happy thoughts, might help but the danger of falling back into that place is always there. Dramatic or not, according to the World Health Organization approximately 350 million people have been diagnosed with depression. That isn’t including those who have not sought help. The likely hood is you know someone who suffers from depression or you, yourself suffer from it. Either way, it takes time and self-care to deal with it. Some people push through it, working to hide it cover it up. Some let it consume them, others seek outside help or drugs as a solution. The simple fact is it doesn’t leave, get cured or magically disappear. While it might feel like a monstrous disease, a reason to feel shame or hide, I am here to say that it doesn’t define you. It is simply a part of you that lets you know something is off and self-care and support are needed.
My opinion of conventional solutions…
I can honestly say that I am the kind of person that pushes through until I get burnt out and have to take a personal day. I can say that I have learned a great many things about myself as I learn about my own depression and the way it effects myself and those around me. I have learned that self-care and boundaries are very important. Creating a routine or plan for decompressing some of the stress is a must. Magick rituals and spells, centering, grounding, and meditating are great examples of self-care.
Finding Support either with friends and family or within your community is also important. By nature we are social and even the most hermit of people in the world probably still enjoys companionship in some way. A social circle you feel comfortable in is great in any presence.
Some times it is important to speak with professionals. It is scary, it is hard sometimes to build a rapport with others, especially some being paid to listen to you. But I can not say that it isn’t important to try and keep trying. Often therapy takes several tries, it is by no means a one-stop shop. The point of it is a neutral, unbiased space with a third party point of view to help you look at it objectively too. It may take several therapists, several tries to find someone that you can communicate with that creates a positive space for you. If it is important to you and it has been something you have thought about, look for local mental health resources.
What is a magical solution?
Like I said there is no boop its gone solution, however practicing magic has thought me many things about intention, conviction, and power.
Here is my witch Way:
- Write what you feel: It can be words, pictures, poems, sentences, even tears on paper. A physical manifestation of your void.
- With the intention in your heart to let it go to watch it go away, burn the paper. Focus on trying the intention to rid your self only of your current feelings.
- If it works you may feel lighter, better even if it is just for a moment.
- At that moment decide to leave go out and do something fun, crazy or new. Distract yourself and try to discover something new about yourself.
I believe feeling trapped is the worst part like I’m stuck in quicksand. Don’t trap yourself have the conviction to go out and be someone other than the current you.
You can do anything:
Walk enjoy and connect with nature.
Go to the library and bury yourself in books.
Go dancing like a lunatic with friends.
Whatever you want. Say Yes to everything ( as long as it is safe)
I know it seems like a lot of mumbo jumbo, but the truth is sometimes people with depression need to not be themselves. They need to not focus on the millions of to-dos or ever little feeling or moment. I think it’s because we often don’t know ourselves, no one does, but we hide our wants and needs behind responsibility and consequences. Trapping us in little boxes that people with depression can’t ignore. It takes forever to distract a person with depression long enough for them to find a silver lining. It takes work to pull them out. It ruins families, friendships, and any relationship that they might want or have. I know with my own family I avoided them, secluded myself, and fought tooth and nail to keep them away, shutting down reason or feelings because I never thought that they would understand. A lot of people might not and that is okay. I think the only solution is to acknowledge it and try to face it down. KNOW THAT THIS DOES NOT DEFINE YOU. You are not depression and you have the intent to free yourself little by little until you can breathe. Understand that it will happen again and learn what coping mechanisms work best for you, not necessarily what works for other people. Enjoy other people, but know they might not understand what is happening to you. Most of all forgive yourself, it is okay to feel that way and it doesn’t matter if you feel like you’re the only one. Acknowledge yourself and let it go. I promise promise, promise that there is a light at the end and that you can and will feel happiness again.
If you’re depressed, feeling stressed, or sad. Talk it out even here. It is all anonymous anyway (well as anonymous as the internet can be. Comment Below on your best ways of coping with feelings. Check out my Pinterest for actual spells and hints on Witch ways to help with depression.