Tag: anxiety

Thankful Thursday (episode 6)

Two weeks have passed since I shared a gratitude list. Last week I was feeling depressed and unmotivated, and I actually forgot to write my post on Thursday. Instead of creating a post the following day, I decided to just wait another week and share two gratitude lists in one. 🙂

I’m still feeling low, but the Lord is giving me the energy to write. So here is my list of things that I am grateful for from the past two weeks!

  • My husband’s willingness to sit in traffic everyday while driving to and from work
  • A pretty sliver of a moon in the evening
  • The Hubby and I were able to visit a new park
  • We were able to get almost free meals at Chick-fil-A
  • I had the chance to talk to my Mom on the phone for longer than normal
  • A yummy desert of chocolate chip cookies and milk
  • My Mom sent me a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card
  • A nice dinner with friends and a good handbell practice
  • Comfortable, breezy weather
  • Sweet and Salty Cold Brew iced coffee from Dunkin’
  • Takeout for dinner! We had tasty subs and french fries
  • My doctor’s appointments went okay
  • A delicious dinner of hamburgers on the grill
  • God’s forgiveness
  • My headache wasn’t as bad as it normally is (I’ve been having them every day for about two weeks)
  • Roy was understanding when I got really anxious…he encouraged me to rest or read a book to help me feel better
  • The rain to water the earth
  • Laughter…it helps to relieve stress. I need to laugh more!
  • Being able to sleep in
  • We went to Barnes and Noble and got drinks and pastries
  • I felt quite depressed in the morning, but by evening I was feeling better
  • God’s unchanging love
  • I had enough money to buy groceries
  • We saw a very pretty piece of a rainbow in the sky
  • I was able to hold our friend’s baby at handbell practice
  • My family and I had a great time visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art

There you have it! I hope this has been an encouragement to you. If you have something that you’re grateful for that you’d like to share, please feel free to leave it in a comment. Blessings to you! ❤

Photo Credit: Beat Schuler

A Dry Spell

I’ve been having a bit of a dry spell with regards to writing recently. I’m not exactly sure why, although I have been struggling more than normal with my depression and anxiety the past week or so. I knew that writing would help me – help me to work through my difficulties, help me to be grateful – but I just couldn’t bring myself to start a post.

Actually, I should clarify that. I did begin several posts, but I couldn’t finish them. Either because of time constraints, lack of energy, or my perfectionism…I ended up not hitting that “publish” button.

And right now, as I sit here in front of my computer, I feel stuck. Stuck regarding writing…I want to write, but I just don’t know what to write about. And stuck regarding how I’m feeling…I feel like I’m in a deep, dark, and muddy pit. Have you ever felt this way?

I talked to my Mom about it, and she said that this can happen to a lot of writers. Your inspiration dries up for a bit. But it’s a process…and I should be able to learn and even grow through it. I just wish I could skip to the learning and growing part!

But I know she’s right. God has me where He wants me at this point in time. And I need to trust Him – trust His heart of love. And trust that He has a purpose in this. I need to get back to taking those baby steps, and to focusing on things to be grateful for. And my Father will carry me through.

I just wanted to say thank you to my readers – I really appreciate you, and I hope you are doing well. Thanks for reading even when I don’t have much to share. You give me a reason to keep trying! ❤

“Writing about a writer’s block is better than not writing at all.”
― Charles Bukowski, The Last Night of the Earth Poems

Photo Credit: Joshua Sortino

He Knows What We Need

God knew what I needed before I did.

I was feeling quite down after returning from my psychiatrist appointment. Although our talk went okay, there was a problem with paperwork that he filled out for me – incorrectly – when I really needed for it to be accurate. And then I got stuck in traffic on the way home, which didn’t help…but I gained a new sense of appreciation for my husband, who deals with bad traffic every single day going to and from his job.

Anyways, I got home and made dinner (tacos) and tried to do a few chores. I did a little laundry, a few dishes, and then sat down at the computer to try to write. But I just couldn’t. Normally I enjoy writing, but I was so down that I didn’t even have the energy to do that. I also had a headache. At my whit’s end, I got down on my knees and prayed. I prayed that God would give me wisdom to know how I should spend the time He had given me, and the strength to carry it out. And do you know what? He answered! 🙂

I felt a nudge to go out for a walk. I didn’t really feel like it, as I had no strength and I had already been out for a walk with our dog, Daisy, earlier in the day. Plus it was quite warm outside, and I’m not a fan of the heat. But I slid on my sandals, grabbed my keys, and hit the sidewalk. It wasn’t too warm, there was a nice breeze, and the sun was peeking through the trees. I wish I would have brought my camera, because there were some beautiful trees in bloom. But it was okay – I took pictures with my eyes!

When I returned from the walk, I felt significantly better. I guess the sunshine and the air and the exercise was what I needed. And God knew that – I just had to ask.

So when you’re feeling depressed or anxious, go straight to God. You may not know what is the best thing to help, but He is aware of exactly what you (and I) need – He’s just waiting for us to turn to Him in prayer. ❤

Photo Credit: Redd Angelo