Watch what you say... We’ve normalized “You know what I mean” or “y’nah mean?” so heavily that I don’t know what anyone means anymore... so here’s what’s been on my mind...

Sad or Depressed?

There is a difference.

Here it is.

Sadness is a feeling. We all experience it.

Depression is state of mind.

Depression comes from being consumed by the feeling of sadness.

Once you are consumed by something, you have been swallowed… wholly.

When you are consumed by anything, it becomes your state of being…your state of mind, where things naturally come to order.

Depression is usually referred to as a disorder because we presume that the normal order or the most ideal state of mind is happiness…

However,

At this point, I’ve heard FAR too many people claim depression to presume that happiness is normal.

Unless the order is depression and the disorder is happiness, then, I think that some people are feeling sadness NOT experiencing depression.

As a matter of fact, please don’t forget that just because something is normal, that doesn’t mean it’s okay.

Don’t get me wrong, feeling sad is a serious matter. I want my siblings that are feeling sad to get back on the happy train, too.

However,

to my family that is being consumed by so much sadness, that their default state of mind is a depressed state of mind... well we’ve got some work to do!

No lie, I have felt sadness that has turned into an experience of depression.

So, I am high key talking to myself when I say this...

You don’t have to claim depression as the state of your mind.

You are experiencing depression and that is real,

But, there are more feelings.

There is happiness, love, anger, jealously, and so much more... just keep going through the sadness that you’re feeling and come out of depression.

I know that it sounds like an unfeasible journey, but, I promise that you will get there.

Honestly, I still do feel sadness but it doesn’t consume me anymore.

I am really excited because experiencing life outside of depression is a new space for me.

So, even if the tides have turned and happiness is the disorder… then I would much rather be part of the minority than the depressed majority.

I’m grateful to have made it out of that state of mind, never to go back. I know that with love, strength, the grace of God and the power of effecting coping mechanisms… it really is possible feel sadness and still choose to be happy.

Peace. Love. and,

remember to live whole(e).

Emi