Feeling Your Way Through Depression, 4

Active. Depression can appear withdrawn and apathetic, far from active. But in reality, depression contains a lot of energy beneath the surface, energy that has been hurt and disappointed. Journal Prompts: Depressive energy inside me is like...

Feeling Your Way Through Depression, 3

Anger. Depression frequently lugs pockets of anger. This anger can feel a lot like a loss of hope. A resignation. An unobserved crawl to surrender. Journal Prompts: I have lost hope in...

Feeling Your Way Through Depression, 2

Broken. Depression can feel like there is something broken in you. It can feel like you are broken to the point of feeling demoralized, that there may not be a way to fix it. Hope is gone. The clock is smashed on the floor with the parts splayed feet in every direction. Putting it back together is no longer worth it. Journal Prompts: I feel broken...

Feeling Your Way Through Depression, 1

Decline. Depression is a body-felt slowdown. Parts of you shut down, get ignored, even repressed. Journal Prompts: I feel slowdown... I ignore... I repress...

Finding your Values, 10

Evolution. You have considered what you respond to, your current season of life, your work, your relationships, what's absent, and what you admire. Have your values evolved? Journal Prompt: I value...

Finding your Values, 9

Admire What sort of values do you see from a distance and respect? Think through the spaces you currently experience–work, play, or out and about. What do you admire about the people around you? When you breeze by a couple spilling out the present moment, do you respond emotionally? Do you feel jealous? Depressed? Happy for them? When you watch people experience adventure? When you witness courage? When you notice authenticity? What can your reactions to the people around you tell you about what you value? Journal Prompt: I admire...

Finding your Values, 8

Absent Bring back history once more. Comb through two painful moments. What was absent that increased the pain? What did you need? What was missing? What did you hope for? Journal Prompt: I needed...

Finding your Values, 7

History Use history to find your values. Pull two meaningful moments to the front of your mind. What happened? Who were you with? How did you feel? What did you know? Journal Prompt: What does your history tell you about

Finding your Values, 6

Seasons Values can adjust overtime to reflect the needs of the life season. For example, when you are parenting with a partner, you may value responsibility in ways you have not. Or, if you are in a season of pain and betrayal, authenticity might feel like a necessary character trait for those in your support system. Find your values through evaluating the needs of your season. Journal Prompt: In this season I value...

Finding your Values, 5

Accept You will have trouble investing in your values if you have not accepted them. People often have trouble accepting the less aspirational values. Expectations from the back shout, "this is what a person should value". Disregard the sense that this is a moral test. Values are not right or wrong, they are personalized and about meaning. Review the values list and look for the less-glamourous values. For example, consider the value of being "comfortable". While valuing comfort may not carry the notoriety like "family" or "trust" you might be surprised how often you respond to it. You might be surprised the meaning comfort brings to you. Journal Prompt: I have difficulty accepting...