I am so new to blogging. This is the second time I've replied to somebody else's blog and I seem to end up writing my own blog entry! So here's another one written in response to Gauntlet's blog on December 29, 2010.

Welcome to DT, Gauntlet!

Oh my goodness! While I was reading your entry, I thought that I was reading something that I had written!

I wish I had an answer for us…but its aparent, that we're not alone! I am new to DT since Dec 27th. I am 46 and have suffered from depression since I was a teenager.

I too, have been on a downward spiral, for the last six months and I am struggling to get out of it.

I am also a mother of four and I have no desire to volunteer for anything anymore. I used to volunteer for everything and now, I barely "show up." I now function on a "need to do" basis.

I agree with you on the "drama"…I am so sick of it, too! I just dealt with some work related drama today and it just knocked the little bit of wind that I did have out of my sails to get through the day. I know what you mean…it makes our depression worse.

It doesn't take much for me to get overwhemed lately. I am so forgetful, absent minded and unmotivated. So then I have even more reasons to beat myself up.

I am treating DT as a form of group therapy. It helps to know that you are not alone. Hopefully we can encourage one another on bad days.

This Xmas was very tough for me. How was it for you? It was overwhelming and I just felt inundated with obligations and expectations. I just did the bare minimum to get by. Thank goodness my kids were oblivious to my mood and they still had a "magical" Christmas.

Don't you feel like it takes so much energy to put on a facade for the world? Its exhausting. I've been doing it all of these years. People know me as a bubbly, energetic and outgoing person…yet, when I'm home alone, I'm a complete mess inside. Its catching up to me, though…I'm getting tired of putting on a show.

I feel like I can't bear another "year" like this…I so desperately want it to change. Besides either meds or herbs…we really DO have to take care of ourselves. Nobody's going to do it for us.

I don't know about you, but as much as I LOVE yoga…I can't get my lazy butt dressed to leave the house and get to the yoga studio. Just getting showered and dressed is a huge ordeal for me. All I want to do is curl up in bed and sleep all day. But we can't do that.

We really have to get out…get some sun…get some exercise…drink lots of water…take our Omega's & B's and eat right. And just keep working through this.

So, how is that for an introduction? I'm not sure about the advice I gave you, but since it sounds like we're going through similar situations, feel free to vent to me anytime. Hang in there. We're not alone…we have to learn to live with our condition because it won't go away…but we have people here who understand and support us!

You are not alone!