Carrington Curphy’s Reviews > Glow in the F*cking Dark > Status Update

“But the thing I've learned is that leading a glittering, liberated, bountiful life is a choice you have to make for yourself, daily. It's not something that you just stumble upon, when you're older, or when you finally have the time, unfortch.”

But it’s a struggle: need to be aware, we are distracted and restricted in life; and people make us out to be selfish for it

“I grieve the person I never became, the lost time with my parents, the experiences I will never have. And I am endlessly grateful that I was given a life to begin with, that for some odd reason my mom and dad met. I'm grateful for the person I have become, the adventures I have been on, and that I have the possibility to create something real with my dad.“

Boundaries can make others grow

Do want to revisit the Future You prompts and make this

Currently feeling like a Michelle Obama as a role model but not sure if I know enough about her other than being Michelle Obama

“…a different question for you— what are your days like? Are they aligned with who you are and what you want most in the world? Are they built to be good for you?“

“this is the only time we ever get here, so what are you going to do about it? Complain that there isn't enough time? If you want something to be different you're going to have to be the one to do things differently.”

What is the best choice I can make for myself right now?

Feeling a Full-Body YES in life is the way to live. Seeking those moments. What do I want?

How to help our friends:

Ask questions. Don’t barrage with advice/ solutions. Can’t imagine a better future but don’t want to be embarrassed. Different. Running away. The connection saves. Try to imagine the pain. “That sounds hard and I’m sorry” is better than “look on the bright side”

Feelings are valid. But don’t make a final choice without knowing how tomorrow will be different

Hang on

CARESS

CA: communicate alternatively (10 minutes communicate pain and emotion)

RE: release endorphins

SS: self-soothe

Rate danger level 1-10. Repeat until better or call a professional

What I learned about these severe depression and SI from Tara: can feel full-body sick, excruciating agony, believing in the feeling last forever

The feeling of being needed by someone Tara needed was enough to walk away from the cliff

Work on depression while in a good place. Can’t learn to swim as you drown.

Code word to be pulled out of the underworld

Lifting out of the “bowels of severe depression”
1. Stop denying the truth of how you feel
2. What is the bare minimum of the things “have to do” or “should do”? And celebrate doing what you can.
3. Reach out to community.
4. Toppling down is inevitable. Treat yourself anyways and don’t freak out.
5. Repeat until feeling like self.