Getting Mental Health Back on Track After a Down Period
Every now and then, Lauren Rad, one of the team members behind the scenes here at Myrth, will pop in with a personal blog post. This time, she’s sharing about the slow upward climb from a period of underwhelming mental health.
I first noticed it in November - the lethargy, the lack of interest in things I usually enjoy, the inability to focus on tasks. Mental health, in my case, is a cyclical thing that is often tied to the seasons, and I usually have a bit of a dip in late fall as the days shorten. I was ready.
So I increased my activity levels, focused on getting more sleep, and made sure to prioritize things that were most important. It’s a good strategy, and usually it works well for me.
But then my cat got sick right as the holiday season was kicking off, and all hell broke loose.
Our vet once, very kindly and diplomatically, described Edmund as a “fractious cat.” That’s an understatement, so when we learned his kidneys were starting to fail and he’d need regular subcutaneous fluids, we weren’t sure how well he’d take to it.
December turned into a haze of holiday events and multiple trips to the vet office as Edmund got sicker and sicker, and the careful plan for self care and setting myself up for success went out the window. I was a mess, and my surroundings reflected my inner state. Dishes piled up, and so did laundry, and so did everything else. Mental health was pretty far down on my list of priorities.
Things were only compounded by grief when we finally decided, early in January, that it was time to let Edmund go gently.
When you’re down in the dumps like that, even small, everyday tasks can feel monumental, insurmountable. I sure felt that way. Periods of low mental health can sap your energy and make it hard to even get started. That’s when it helps to have (a) some compassion for yourself and (b) a survival plan.
I really like the empathetic, kind approach from Unfuck Your Habitat, where there is a lot of discussion about the depression/mess cycle and a whole section on the website devoted to the idea that “life happens.” It does, and sometimes it happens with a vengeance. The good thing is that even when you’re struggling with mental health, you’re not powerless.
And when you’re stuck in the doldrums, this is a good place to start pulling yourself out:
A few weeks ago, I started pulling myself out, too. I made a plan. It started with small things, like implementing new self-care habits (I’ve never been so diligent about my sunscreen before). It also involved reaching out to friends, rearranging priorities, and starting cleaning again. Things are getting better (no doubt in part because the days are getting longer, too). Yesterday, I did five loads of laundry and deep-cleaned the master bedroom. My mental health is feeling better, too.
When life has gotten out of whack, sometimes catching up feels exhausting. It’s okay to let go of some of the things that don’t actually need to be done. It’s also okay to say no to new things while you’re working on getting caught up. If you’re still in the thick of it, hang in there and do what you can.
Spring is coming, and so is sunshine and warmth. Hang in there. Hang in there.
Have you found yourself unexpectedly in a slump? How did you get through it? Share your experiences below in the comments.
P.S. - You can save and share this post on Pinterest using this image:
