I think that we are all familiar with bouts of anxiety and depression. This is a topic that I am very familiar with, as I have been dealing with depressive funks since I was a teenager. Since then, I have learned a lot about myself!
I have found ways to help me heal when I feel depressed and tools to help me break through some of the patterns that cause me to feel depressed.
A lot of the work I do with myself and clients, is around healing our wounds from childhood and teenage years that seem to be the root cause of our anxiety and depression. You may have heard the term before: Inner Kid Work. I find that when I am able to connect to those parts of myself who feel wronged, ignored, not cared for, or not good enough, I am able to mend those wounds and begin to break certain patterns that keep perpetuating the same cycle(s). In this case, depressive cycles.
Today, I want to share with you a few writing prompts that can help you when you're feeling stuck in a depressive funk. These writing prompts can also help you when you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, sad, scared, insecure, etc.
A lot of the time it's easy to identify our feelings, but it's often hard to know WHY we feel the way we do. Why are we feeling sad, mad, depressed, anxious, confused, etc?
These writing prompts will help you with just that. I hope they can lead you to the root cause of your feelings, so that you can give yourself a chance to be heard and seen, and ultimately feel lighter and happier.
What I have learned through my years of battling insecurities, not feeling good enough, and ultimately feeling depressed because of it, is that it's not easy to GO there when you're in it.
It's really the last thing we want to do. But when we push it away, ignore it, pretend like it will go away on its own, or push through it, it just ends up coming back, again, and again, and again.
This may not be your experience, but it has been mine.
So although it's uncomfortable to talk about it or write about it when you're in it, it can help tremendously!
So without further ado, here are a few writing prompts that can help you when you're in a depressive funk:
1.) How am I feeling right now? I am feeling _________. (Give yourself permission to go there.)
2.) What is bothering me right now? (Be kind and gentle with yourself as you explore this.)
3) What part of me feels depressed or anxious?
Part two: What does she or he need to feel loved and cared for?
4.) How old do I feel? Is this a familiar feeling?
5.) If my depression could speak, what would it want to say to me?
Here are some positive sayings, phrases, and quotes that you can take with you and use in your current practice:
"Let the wall fall that separates me from my own vulnerable inner child. I long to take care of myself like never before." - Tosha Silver
As I accept my fear, it is transformed into love.
I love life and life loves me!
Every challenge which arises helps me grow. Every storm strengthens my roots.
It is always darkest just before dawn.
There is only one voice worth listening to, the voice of my own heart.
I am in the process of positive change.
I release the pattern in my consciousness that is creating resistance to my good and happiness.
I trust the process of life to bring me my highest good.
I hope these tips help you during your hard and challenging times.
Much love,
Sarah
