Managing depression is very doable. Anyone can do it with the right tools.

My name is Rebecca. I started blogging about six years ago.

I write a lot about depression because I’ve been there, done that. Pretty much everyone in my family has as well. I’ve learned a number of skills that I feel will help others. It breaks my heart when I know someone is depressed. (By the way, a few days of feeling low, even a couple of weeks does not qualify for a diagnosis of depression.)

I’m also a Christian and I love home decorating and DIY projects. So that’s why I came up with faith, sigh, and DIY. But as of 2020, I started realize God wanted me to change direction. I will seldom post DIY projects, for now anyway.

Depression didn’t define me then and it doesn’t have to define you either.

Information about depression

There is much misinformation surrounding depression. For example, we think depressed people can’t function normally. But while I was writing about depression I was also a mature Christian with lots of interests, such as interior decorating, DIY projects, leading Bible studies, raising a family, teaching, writing, etc.

I lived a pretty normal life as far as what others observed. Inside though, I was often miserable. There is such a thing called “a smiling depression”. That was me for sure.

I still have some “down” days, as does everyone else.  But a few “down” days is NOT depression. The medical community has gone too far in jumping the gun on this one.

Faith and the Christian

I am a Christian and am conservative in my beliefs, for which I do not apologize. In contrast, I am very liberal in my acceptance and love of those who believe differently than me.

Accordingly, I address faith issues often because it’s the most important dimension of my life. However, I will never try to badger anyone to believe as I do. That’s between you and God. I’m always open to well-thought-out comments and questions about faith issues.

I was held victim by depression for years.  I choose to not write about the particulars. It isn’t necessary. Besides, when people tell too much of their story, one of two things happens; either a person feels the storyteller’s life wasn’t all that bad or that their own story is much worse.

One day, over twenty years ago, I decided enough was enough. I fought hard and was finally able to give depression the funeral it deserved.

Reflection, yes, rumination, no.

I write about what I learned during the years of recovery, from my personal experience and the experiences of others, as well as lots of research. I continue to learn about mental health issues and am always checking out the latest books.

While, I will never lie about how I’m feeling but I don’t condone whining in myself or others. Rumination (a big word for whining) is a common symptom of depression and it’s never helpful.

Therefore, I write a lot about how to control our thoughts. It’s hard but totally doable and an important tool for managing depression. I’ve done as much research as possible and am always learning more about our thought life.

(A side note: The physical symptom of sighing is a common symptom of depression.  It’s also a common side effect of antidepressants.) If you happen to meet someone who is sighing a lot, they could be depressed. Sighing is like crying inside.  So I chose the word “sigh”, instead of depression and because it rhymes with DIY, even though DIY is on hold for a while as I finish my book. )

Where and how I live

I have a long-term marriage and my husband has been my greatest supporter on my journey to emotional and mental good health.

I live in a home over one hundred years old with uneven floors, many rooms, and a weird floor plan. It’s sits on the top of what appears to be a hill, but the road actually just dips right at our driveway so it gives that illusion. The cabin sits at the bottom of a hill. Funny, huh?

We’ve pretty much remodeled every room in our home. On second thought, we have remodeled every room in our house, twice in some cases. Isn’t it serendipitous how one change, one stepping-outside -the -box, can prompt other changes?

Our cabin and she-shed

We have a darling teeny, tiny, red cabin about two hours north. We had a she-shed built about thirty feet away and it’s even more adorable. The she-shed is about six years old so it’s growing into itself as I constantly re-decorate it with fabulous thrift store finds. It’s called LaCabinette because I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Paris a few times.

La Cabinette is where I paint, write, and overall just relax. You’ll hear me often refer to my retreat up north just as “teeny tiny red cabin”, not our teeny tiny red cabin, just teeny tiny red cabin, like someone’s name. It’s my retreat where depression is not allowed.

I just recently redecorated the she-shed to pink and gold as seen above. Here are some more pics. Everything is used, recycled, and repurposed. You can’t see the roof/ceiling but it’s whitewashed in very pale aqua. One of my favorite pieces is the hanging thing at the bottom left. I used leftover trim, ribbon, and yarn.

I kept the outside the same color as the main cabin.

The above picture is the porch on the she-shed. I felt it had to match the exterior of the cabin , however, so it’s kind of weird to go in and see all pink and gold. But a girl has to do what a girl has to do.

This is a further away view of the she-shed which sits about thirty feet to the right of the cabin.

Three years ago we added a real bedroom, but it’s still tiny about seven hundred square feet.

My life and interests

I love DIY projects, painting (rooms and pictures), re-decorating my home, and helping others do the same. Knitting and crocheting is a favorite pastime in the winter. I like making jewelry, re-purposing thrift store and garage sale finds,  blogging, and most importantly spending time with family and friends.

Thrift shopping and garage sales are my favorites. Every year I tell myself, “No more. You have enough junk.” But every year I fail. Possibilities abound with “junk” which is why my friends love it when I go shopping with them. If dumpster-diving were legal, I’d do that, too.

While I don’t scrapbook, I collect scrapbook paper just for the color and pattern.

I have a huge “sweet tooth” so I have to get on my elliptical machine five out of seven days and work out with weights about twice a week. My very blond hair is my constant challenge although most people wish they had it. Then there are my bad feet which is a ‘whole ‘nother story. Lots of surgeries.

In addition, I love traveling and am fortunate to have seen much of the world due to my husband’s many frequent flyer miles. However, this was a very trying time for both of us. We didn’t like being apart but we didn’t have much of a choice. It was that job or no job. God saw us through it though and we both agree it was good for us as individuals and as a coup

I have a grandchild with Down Syndrome.  It was a tough time. But now it just seems as it should be. He’s doing great. I think the post that says the most about me is the post that I wrote after the birth of my youngest grandchild. If you are visiting this blog for the first time, I suggest you read that post. It is the most-read to date.

I love painting anything because I love color.

Why I blog about depression

I blog about depression because it was my enemy for many years. and I write always to encourage and educate those of you who know what depression feels like. Thus, there will be times I suggest, based on the best research, that you will have to do your part but I will never tell you to “just get over it”. Your comments and e-mails are always welcome.

Managing depression isn’t easy. I know that for sure. But I also know it CAN be managed and I offer tons of ways how in this blog.

My qualifications to help you manage your depression

While I don’t have all the answers, I can help because I’ve encountered many situations during my years as a hospital chaplain. I saw people at their worst. I encountered those with doubts about their faith; those who suffered depression.

I am currently enrolled in a Bible study where I am pursuing a Spiritual Life Coach certification.

As a Bible teacher, retreat leader, conference speaker and hospital chaplain, I was exposed to many different people and situations. People often shared their stories with me.

But most importantly I know firsthand what depression and anxiety feel like and anything I can say that will help someone get better is the main reason I blog. If you click on the depression link in the menu, you will find tons of posts.

I am now an author and have written one small e-book and am currently finishing up a sixty-day devotional focusing on Christians who struggle with depression. I tried to cover every possible way I manage my depression. It is to be published very soon and will be available for purchase through this blog.

Finally, I would direct you to my ‘Books I recommend” page for some book titles you might find helpful. I’m always adding to this list.

Anyway, that’s it for now.

God bless and I hope you have a good day.