Gretchen Mayer, LCSW

So proud of this brave individual!!! https://www.facebook.com/341163402640457/posts/2811579678932138?sfns=mo

We have come a long way but still have more work to do:

I am looking forward to attending this!!!

During tough times, people can find hope and motivation by repeating a mantra or daily affirmation to help guide them through the day. This is one example. I had a client write down thoughts and feelings about her depression and by doing this exercise, she was able to pick out one or two phrases to repeat. My depression does not control me, it does not define me. It has no say in who I am or what I do. My depression is not the one steering the wheel, I am. My depression d...oes not define me. My depression is not a curse. My depression is not who I am. My depression does not look out for my best interest. I’m not fully me when I am depressed, so it does not speak for me. I have allowed it to feed and grow and flourish because I didn’t want to stick up for myself, but now I am. My depression is not forever, my depression does not have to stay. My depression can and will wither and die because I said so. There is only room in this body and mind for one, and that is going to be me. I am going to choke the life out of it. I allowed it to flourish and only I have the power to take it away. It will be hard and it will take time, but I will succeed because I have the capacity to forgive myself and be patient with myself to grow and defeat the damn thing. I refuse to let my depression take up any more time of my life and take me from the path I worked so hard to forge for myself. This is my life and my passions and this is what I want; the fun and love and hardship and drive and passion and creativity and sleepless nights and unstable future and breathtaking and storytelling and compassion and service and beauty and every emotion imaginable. All this and more is what I’m choosing and there is no room for depression, there is no room for negativity, there is no room for anything that will hinder my path (dreams, aspirations, family, helping others). It’s my life and I’ll do what I choose with it, not my depression. I refuse to feed it, I refuse to give up and be powerless. I choose to fight for myself; I choose positivity and personal growth. I choose being healthy and honest with myself and others. I reject your reality and substitute my own. I will win because I said so. ____________ My depression is not in control. I am!