A Book Bursting With Hope…For Recovery

Sometimes, we find it necessary to push ourselves way, way out of our comfort zone. Such is the case with my book bursting with hope…for recovery. Recovery that we often don’t talk about, embrace, or support in any meaningful way. This recovery journey will be so important for many, because one in four adults will suffer from a mental illness in his or his lifetime. Depression. Anxiety. Bipolar disorder. You see, I am keenly aware of this fact. Once, I was one of the four.

My Story of Hope

Years ago, after the birth of my second child, something just wasn’t quite right. There wasn’t as much general awareness about postpartum depression at that time and it wasn’t something I knew about. I just tried to keep moving forward, thinking whatever was going on would eventually go away. It didn’t. Things got much worse, I became very ill and that postpartum depressed morphed into full-blown, five-alarm major depression that left me in total darkness, unable to function and hospitalized.

Thanks to care from a wonderful doctor and the incredible support of my husband and family, I was able to get heal and fully recover. My doctor explained that my depression was an illness in my brain, a chemical imbalance. There was no personal failing involved, or the ability to buck up and will myself better. He told me that like any other illness – diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. – my depression required treatment and I would get better. He was right. I did.

The actual being sick is not so much what I remember. It was the aftermath, the recovery process, of which I remain acutely in touch. My immediate family and friends were incredibly understanding and provided unwavering support that was invaluable, though did not always mask the pain I felt from those beyond that circle. There were many who did not understand and felt compelled to offer thoughts that were damaging. What kind of mother was I? Why I was being so selfish? Just stop thinking about yourself and get over it. In retrospect, the period AFTER my depression was so much more difficult than when I was actually sick.

Each and every single day, a mother, a child, a friend, a family, is suffering from depression or some form of mental illness. When one is hospitalized for mental illness, there usually are no cards, no flowers, no casseroles delivered by neighbors to help the family during a very challenging time. All too often, the individuals who are sick and those that love them are alone, trying to find their way through a vat of darkness to the light of hope, of recovery, without a roadmap or someone to lend a guiding hand.

Create for Recovery

The creative process and art therapy can be an important part of the recovery process and I’m filled with a sense of joy to participate in Create for Recovery. I’ve made this Hope book, filled with positive quotes and uplifting affirmations. The letters of the book go from dark to light, to represent the path one travels through depression to recovery and beyond. The book is part of my personal Crowdrise fundraiser to support art therapy for those suffering from mental illness in my community. Create for Recovery will continue throughout May, which is Mental Health Awareness month. At the end of the campaign, all art pieces created will be sold in an online auction and all proceeds raised will help to fund art therapy. My wish is that my Hope book finds its way to someone who looks at it each time they need a lift, a bit of brightness and find a big, shining ray of hope – knowing that someone understands.

Though I’ve never done anything like this on the blog, and without a doubt it’s a scary thing, it’s so important to me to help in some small way something that is deeply meaningful to me. I’ve set a personal goal of $400 for my personal Crowdrise. I’d love to surpass my goal! Will you please consider making a gift for recovery? No matter how large or small the gift, every single dollar counts! Want to create your own piece for recovery? Join my team, I’d be thrilled beyond words!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading and for helping. There are many ways to help recovery. Spread hope, not stigma. Reach out a hand to someone who is suffering. Take a Mental Health First Aid class (I’m a certified trainer, more on that in May!) Visit Create for Recovery all during the month of May for daily, fun creative prompts to celebrate the creative process. Most of all, if you or someone you love is struggling with depression or any mental illness, don’t wait to get help.

I invite you to share a thought or message about postpartum depression, recovery, mental illness and hope. A simple thank you doesn’t seem adequate for allowing me to share this story… but thank you, with much love, appreciation and of course, hope.

Sharing at these parties:

Merry Monday at My Pinterventures Happiness is Homemade at Ducks ‘n a Row Inspiration Monday at i should be mopping the floor Show & Tell at Tauni Everett Project Inspired{d} at Cupcakes and Crinoline Create Link Inspire at Kleinworth & Co. Whimsy Wednesday at Oh My! Creative Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop at Ducks ‘n a Row Creative Muster Party at Fluster Buster Welcome Home Wednesdays at Suburban Simplicity Creative Spark Link Party at Weekend Craft Thursday Favorite Things at Katherine’s Corner Inspiration Party at Live Laugh Rowe Wildly Original Link Party at I Gotta Create! I’m Lovin’ It at Tidy Mom Creativity Unleashed at Practically Functional Freedom Fridays at Love Bakes Good Cakes Party at My Place at Grammie Time Friday Features Party at Oh My Heartsie Girl What to do Weekends at Crafts a la Mode Funtastic Friday at Olives & Okra Link Party Palooza at Tatertots & Jello Creative Collection at Giggles Galore Snickerdoodle Sunday at Across the Blvd DIY Sunday Showcase at PinkWhen Sunday’s Best Linkup at Mother 2 Mother Bewitchin’ Projects Block Party at The Crafting Nook Peace Love Linkup at Twenty Something in the 2010s

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