When a friend says “kamusta?” (Filipino word for the phrase: How are you?), I realize that person is really prodding you to ask the same thing back. I came to that realization after coming out of my ‘hibernation.’ I say I hibernate because there are times when I get too overwhelmed with life that I refuse to talk to anyone even with my own family. It is somewhat unhealthy if prolonged for too long. However, it is a good way to recuperate. It works for me at least. I totally unplugged myself from social media and I’ve learned to not let it control me. Going back to my original statement, I would not have realized the troubles my other friends had going on too had I not asked how they are.
Depression is a serious illness regardless of its severity. One thing of note is that no matter how hard you reach out sometimes only the person who is depressed can choose to get out of it. That is exactly true for me. My mom tried so hard to contact me out of her concern for me. You know what? It did the opposite. The more she asked, the more I did not want to talk. I simply asked her to wait and pray for me. Giving me my space helped me out. Sure, I was lollygagging for a while but I was trying to cope with things on my own. I do want to thank her and my friends for still trying to reach me because it eventually did. Funny thing is my mom and my awesome friend Ranee did the same thing. They messaged everyone I know (even my sister in California who is thousands of miles away from me). It was because of it that I finally awoke from my slumber. It made me rethink my ‘hibernation’ state. Thus, don’t stop trying to communicate with someone you suspect is depressed. You don’t have to try so hard but you can let that person know your genuine concern. The best reasoning given to me by Ranee so I don’t disappear again:
“We are all on the same boat. So, let’s rock the boat together.”
It is kind of funny but it is true. My friend and I have come to an agreement that not everyone’s lives are perfect. Some of us are just better ‘marketers’ on Facebook and other social media. I will be honest that I hated going on Facebook because it made me feel worse. When everyone else seems happy and you are feeling blue, it really sucks to see the good things in their lives. It was adding salt to injury. I hated myself for being jealous of them but like my dad said: “Don’t compare yourself to others.”
My recent experience is definitely an eye opener for me. You know how they say comedians like to make people laugh because they know precisely how it sucks to be sad? Your friend might be checking up on you so they can share their troubles too.
footnote:
The photo is an old picture from my prep days. I just thought it is amazing how the world works. I never knew until I saw that photo that I already met my grade school best friends even before we became as such.
Watch comedy shows regularly. I truly believe laughter is the best medicine. =]
#depression #hibernate #revelation #eyeopener #Facebook #socialmedia #friendship #laughter #sharing #rockingtheboattogether
Published By
Anna Canto I read. I reflect. I write. I learn.
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.