So I’ve made the decision going into 2016 that it’s absolutely okay for me to be candid about my struggles with depression and anxiety in the hopes that it will help someone else.

2015 was… there are no words to adequately describe it. “Scary” comes to mind, but it was so much more than that. Reeling, terrifying… a total eye-opener.

That being said, after many failed attempts of different medications that caused severe reactions – and in one case almost life threatening – I made it through the year with the love and support of my family and loved ones closest to me who knew what I was going through.

Last blog post where I briefly talked about this, I gave you Halestorm’s “I Am the Fire” because it’s uplifting for me. Sort of like the coal thrown on my fire to get my “Little Engine That Could” going when it comes to what I want to accomplish in life.

This blog post I want to share two things with you that I came across that really resonated with me, my struggles, and the journey through 2015.

1)  Nothing More – Jenny

This song has been pivotal not only to myself this year, but also to my work. I like to write about the topics that I hope will reach out and touch readers. Let them know that they’re not alone. The topic of depression came up in Stripping Her Defenses and it just so happens that the topics of addiction will be discussed in Sweet Agony and Sweet Recovery. I’ve listened to this song so many times and it kicks me in the gut every time. Give it a listen, and if you’ve never heard of the band Nothing More, this will give you just a taste as to why I love them so much.

2) “Five Lies Depression Told Me” by Kelly Jensen

I loved Kelly’s blog post. Why? Because depression had told me those exact five lies too.

The first lie being, “The first lie depression told me was that I did not have depression.”

But at the end of Kelly’s post she tells us, “The first truth I told depression was that it existed, but it did not define me.” This is probably the most important thing I learned this year. It’s also the most important thing I could possibly try to convey to all of you in this post.

Depression doesn’t define me. It’s just a battle I wage. But that’s okay, because I’m learning that with the right ammunition (family, faith and courage) I can totally kick depression’s ass. And if I can do it, YOU CAN DO IT TOO MY FRIEND.

Let 2016 be the year that you’re real with yourself and loving of others in need.

Love,

Jessie Lane