Superhero Warrior Princess
I have depression, just as my mother, my grandmother, and my great-grandmother before me. I’ve had it for a long time. Meds are helping with the chemical imbalance. Therapy is helping with mindful insights. It’s time for a third element to kick in, choosing to do what I can to help myself. Aye, there’s the rub! I’m in a deep rut. Motivating, helping, encouraging myself? Nah, not so good at that.
Maybe you experience something similar?
You see, it’s super easy for me to encourage and help others, and I love it. I’ve been doing it all my life. From helping to take care of disabled siblings, to moving back home after decades away to be closer to aging parental units, to a career that has been focused on supporting others (assisting researchers at a historical archives & library, or creating program materials and conferences to support local church women’s & girls’ ministries). Because I have the personality traits of a ‘helper’ & I identify with what I do, as those jobs have ended, or a family member has passed away, I’ve lost pieces of myself.
Maybe you’ve lost a part of yourself, but can’t summon up the energy to figure out what’s next?
In addition, I’ve reached a significant age milestone (ahem!) and since I now work at (surprise! another helping job) an assisted living facility, I’m much more aware of finite lifespans. I have no clue what the future will bring, nor what futureI want to create.
And maybe like me, you don’t know what kind of life you want, much less how to create it?
After another weekend off where I did none of the things I either needed or wanted to do, I spent some time thinking that there have got to be other people like me who need gentle encouragement, with a dash of fun. (I can get intimidated by a meme like Nike’s ‘Just. Do. It.’ But that’s for another post.) “What,” I asked myself, “do I enjoy doing, that I could put in the category of “Helping Others” (so it would be easy for me to do) that would also help me? Since I love making things with graphics and words, Superhero Warrior Princess was born!
All of us who are battling against
Superhero Warrior Princess B
chronic illness, grief,
procrastination, pain, etc.,
are Superheros and Warriors,
not only against our monsters,
but for ourselves.
We are Superheros and Warriors
Throughout my struggles, I keep remembering a meme that basically said, “A bad day is not a sign of weakness. Those are the days I am fighting my hardest.” All of us who are battling against chronic illness, grief, procrastination, pain, etc., are Superheros and Warriors, not only against our monsters, but for ourselves.
Encouragement with a Lighthearted Princess Touch
In addition, my particular brand of Superhero Warrior needs light moments to motivate me away from wallowing in lethargy. Think laughter, or cheerful characters learning & growing while looking for a brighter day. If that’s TOO much, a slight grin or tiny light at the end of the tunnel will do. I have never been a superhero or a warrior. I am a flight response way before I will fight (Ahem! Unless I’m fighting for someone else. Do you sense a recurring theme here?) It will take many small practice steps to be able to champion myself.
Maybe you, too, respond better to gentle inspiration than competitive challenges?
It feels like I’m back at the beginning chapter of “How to be a Functioning Person.” To accomplish these goals, I need positive reminders that I can print out and put around the house, in my car or purse, even tacked to the border of my computer screen, to counter the obnoxious, colossal strength of my monsters. Creating these little encouraging notes for us is already giving me a sense of purpose. I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart, with the prayer you find meaning and hope here, too.
Superhero Warrior Princess B
Superhero Warrior Princess 