It was a sour Monday morning. Nothing was sitting right, and I was exhausted from a full weekend. The task of caring for my kids AND brushing their teeth? Unseemably daunting. Throw in a laundry list of errands, laundry itself, and very busy evening of activities to cap off our day, and I wanted to quit before I started.
I was grouchy.
I longed to call and whine to my husband. There was no way I could do this day. It seemed cruel that he had to be at work. I felt inexplicably lonely, and when I gear myself up for a downward spiral, he’s the only one that can really level me out. Plus, I just like being with him, but togetherness remains a luxury too often unknown to parents, right?
I was on my own. So I found my bootstraps and struggled into them, and got myself to the grocery store. Which was packed full of back-to-school paraphernalia. Guess which first-time mama of a Kindergartner is having more than a few mixed feeling about the start of the school year? I want to be light-hearted and joyous about it, but I’m too busy trying to figure out ways not to attack the bus driver for stealing my baby away into the depths of a scary unknown world full of things like backpacks and recess. In this intensely logical frame of mind, I was most certain that the snack packs of Goldfish crackers on the shelves were mocking me.
It was at that moment I started to miss my mother. A lot. Excellent. These random bursts of actively aching for her don’t come as frequently as they once did, but when they do? Holy stymieing heck. I pitifully searched for the proper jar of applesauce through my tears and felt even more sorry for myself.
At least I had to buy paper towels that morning. I do love shopping for paper towels.
What was wrong with me?? Could I blame PMS? A quick mental check of the calendar resulted in a resound NO. Crap.
And there was nothing particularly horrible that had happened. The truth was, I was just miserable. Melancholy as it is best defined.
A big fan of my current anti-depressant/anti-anxiety pill, I am thankful to have discovered a relatively side effect-free solution to the diagnosis I have long struggled. I love that while my medication enables me to more effectively cope with life situations, I still feel.
I feel normal, healthy things like pain and frustration.
The tricky part of still being able to feel is, of course, feeling. And the fact of the matter was, I was feeling like crap that day.
I got in my van, rested my head on the wheel and just started praying. Praying for peace, for a shred of less rage-y feelings, for…and then it hit me: I was depressed.
Not depressed as in call-my-doctor-to-pursue-a-med-change kind of depressed. But I will always remember learning in school that part of the DSM depression diagnosis is “symptoms lasting longer than 2 weeks” (or something there-like).
This means that sometimes people have sad feelings and it’s normal.
This means that while my sad feeling that day were hard, chances were, if they didn’t last endlessly, they were okay.
For some reason, the 1961 Shirelles’ song started playing through my head, “Mama said they’ll be days like this…”. Raised on a steady diet of golden oldies from my own mama who loved this genre of music, I’m figuring this tune was a message from her. And she was right.
Because, you see, there are days like this. Sometimes, depressed feelings are part of life. I’m all for treatment of more serious conditions (obviously, because I do it myself), but outside of this, some days are just bad. No good.
And giving myself permission to simply be depressed on that suck-tastic Monday was incredibly freeing. It was alright to hold the kleenex box close and accept my I wouldn’t be channeling any cheery Mary Poppins-like vibes. Life could be bad that day, but I could still be okay. There will be days like this–teary applesauce aisles and all.
****This post was written prior to Robin Williams’ tragic suicide. To be clear, I am tremendously in favor of pursuing medication and therapy when depressive symptoms are pervasive, and share this post as I feel it may be helpful to others.***
Latest posts by Meredith (see all)
- Here One Moment Book Club Discussion - November 8, 2024
- Create Fun Halloween Decor with a Decoupage Pumpkin Craft! - October 21, 2024
- Slow Dance Book Club Discussion - September 13, 2024
Janine Huldie says
Hugs Meredith and trust me I am so feeling similar feelings today about Emma starting kindergarten in a little over a week now. I have to pick up supplies I ordered back in May today at her school and already getting those butterfly type feelings in my stomach. Seriously, so not ready either, but ready or not and it is coming.
Meredith says
MAJOR butterflies–praying for both of us, friend!
Janene says
I love this post. I, too, medicate for depression and STILL have bad days. I didn’t expect them to never show up and I’m pretty much able to deal with them. I do think that part of the “key” to dealing with them is saying to yourself, “This is okay. I’m okay.” I remember my most depressed time so vividly that I think I get scared I will end up back there. But I haven’t yet – so, bad days will happen as part if life but knowing we ALL have them makes that feel “normal”.
Hugs to you my friend!
Meredith says
Amen. Everyone has these days–and for those of us who struggle with depression, normalizing can help so much! xo, Janene.
WhenCrazyMeetsExhaustion says
OH, Meredith. You pick up that phone and call this crazy lady the next time you feel like crying. We’ll commiserate together, over applesauce or whatever! And I hope you recognize your strength at identifying and admitting all that you have; you’re realistic and honest, and that helps people. You’re a good egg.
Meredith says
Steph, you are such a love and such a kind friend and support. Love you and thanks for being you!
Kathy Radigan says
so relate to this post as well. I too am on medication that helps with the worst of my anxiety and allows me to function and do the things I need to do. But I do also feel, which is good and feeling sad is part of that. I am learning to feel the sadness and then let it leave. That is hard for me I always want to do something to do to get rid of the feeling. It is so liberating to feel the feeling and then move on. Thank you! xoxo Hugs to you!
Meredith says
Liberating is the perfect way to describe being able to feel your feelings in a healthy way…love that you get this, Kathy.
Cynthia Gabriele Sprouts Consignment Boutique says
Well said!
Meredith says
Thanks, Cindy 🙂
Rachael Boley says
I love this! I struggle in the accepting my feelings department too ( I think a lot of people do) so it’s nice when people acknowledge that fact and carry on anyway. Also, my boys and I have been dancing to that song here lately…. it’s a good one! ☺ This was a beautiful and important post! Thanks for sharing!
Meredith says
Aw, Rachael, thanks for the encouragement. And too very cool that you know that song too! 🙂
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
Ooh, I hear ya! I had one of those days a few days ago! I do blame a large part of my lack of patience on PMS, but at the same time the kids decided to do a double whammy and misbehaved the entire afternoon…that is, until I completely lost it on them!!! Of course, I initially felt guilty, but then I decided that “it happens”, “it happened” and there is nothing I can do about it. I don’t think it’s such a bad thing for our kids to see us at our worst, or understand that we too have our “moments!” At least, I’m saying that to help me get over the guilt 😉
Meredith says
Completely agree, Lisa. Kids need to see that we can have bad days and it’s still okay. Mommies have their limits too! You aren’t alone in those moments!
Stacey @nursemommylaughs says
Agree with you completely. Some days just suck, but the meds then help get you back out of that sad rut. I agree with “Crazy,” you ARE a good egg. E-Hug!!
Meredith says
Hugs back–ALWAYS, Stacey! xo