A Clear Warning Sign of Depression And a Prescription For The Future

It's my birthday month, and since childhood, I have loved September with all my heart. As a kid, I loved getting new clothes for school. I loved being super tan from the summer and wearing washed-out blue jeans and a white shirt that made me look even tanner. I love the smell of fall, the leaves falling, going for a walk, and listening to the leaves under my feet and the crisp, cool nights. I am in love with all of it.

Over the weekend, I thought I would treat myself to new clothes for my birthday like the old days. After working all day Saturday and half-day Sunday, I felt deserving of a few new things. Off I headed to the stores. I couldn't help but notice hardly any cars parked on the street near the stores. Not wanting to be reminded of our living times, I write that off and justify that it's probably because it's Sunday.

I walked into store after store to find all of the stores literally empty. I found bored sales associates sitting and doing nothing. As I perused throughout the department, finding many items that I thought would look nice on me, I scanned the prices, wondering how I once paid this much for a blouse or a skirt. The prices had risen, but no more than other things. However, this was the first time I thought to myself, "I'd rather have the money than the clothing."

Again, I put this out of my mind wanting things to be normal, like they once were. As I wandered back into my favorite designer section, I tried on a hat - which looked beautiful on me. It brought back the feeling of fun and laughter. I decided to try some things on. The sales associate was all over me, bringing me water, checking sizes, dishing out compliments, and offering ideas for where I could wear each item she saw.

Leaving with only a pair of earrings, I realized that life may never be the same. Again, not wanting to analyze or overthink about this and get depressed and anxious, I quickly changed my focus.

Rumination about the past, wanting things to be different than they are, and constantly trying to figure things out are all statistically proven to lead to depression. Depression is known to reduce the neuroplasticity in your brain, making you more rigid and less psychologically flexible. Check out The Brain Gym class on Improving Your psychological flexibility for more insights and ways to increase flexibility and success.

On my walk on the beach this morning, I was grateful for the sand under my feet, the new day, and the new sunrise. I thought back to my friend and me giggling yesterday on our walk together. I remember singing along to the songs on the radio yesterday afternoon. Everything feels right, not wrong.

As someone who has invested their entire life's work into overcoming challenges, conflict, and stress, I remind myself that when I get quiet and listen, "truth" comes back into focus when I sit. I can feel it deep within. It's calm, omnipresent, expansive, and free. I realize that what matters in life has not faded, not changed, or dimmed. It has only gotten stronger, brighter, and easier to find.

It's the love we share, the friendships, the sincerity in our voice, the spirit of inquiry, our integrity, and selflessness to help each other that matters most. This is the same.

All of us are fearful of what is to come.

But when you sit and stop pushing away your discomfort and allow yourself to just be, what comes into focus for you?

Try this:

Sit for 5 minutes to an hour every day. Sitting daily will increase your felt sense of the anxiety dissipating.

Allow yourself to let go, really let go, and not push yourself during this time. At this time, you have nowhere to go and nothing to do. Don't try to stop your thoughts; just watch them come and go. If you get stuck on one, remember to move to a feeling instead of a thought. And remember, do not judge.

Just be okay with things as they are right now.

Anxiety will start to settle and dissipate like the fog in the sun. Fear will fade.

You'll begin to feel an inner calm, strength, and awareness. A kindness washes over you. Insights come. Realism sets in. Security in yourself surfaces.

Don't trust me—allow the experience of just sitting to alter your frame of mind, to alter your perception of the future. Use your experience as a guide.

The power is within you. Settle down and listen. Things are different, And it's okay.