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don’t let them tell you it’s solely your brain chemistry destiny

i've spent more than a few decades dealing with depression. during that time i also raised my son (single-parenting, no child support) and dealt with quite a few job losses (corporate downsizing, never for performance) and moves (to improve wage:cost-of-living ratio). i finally scraped together enough money to buy a house and did so last year. my job is stable and pays the bills, though i'm not going to get rich. i got a car that won't break down just when i have amassed a whole $500 in the bank. and i got a dog. i had so missed, as a renter, not being able to have a dog. once it got through my head that my life is truly stable (barring unforeseen accident or medical bills, inshallah) i started to feel… happy. like genuinely happy. not over the moon or dancing on clouds, but just everyday kind of happy.…


i've spent more than a few decades dealing with depression. during that time i also raised my son (single-parenting, no child support) and dealt with quite a few job losses (corporate downsizing, never for performance) and moves (to improve wage:cost-of-living ratio).

i finally scraped together enough money to buy a house and did so last year. my job is stable and pays the bills, though i'm not going to get rich. i got a car that won't break down just when i have amassed a whole $500 in the bank. and i got a dog. i had so missed, as a renter, not being able to have a dog.

once it got through my head that my life is truly stable (barring unforeseen accident or medical bills, inshallah) i started to feel… happy. like genuinely happy. not over the moon or dancing on clouds, but just everyday kind of happy.

it's amazing what having a place no one can throw you out of, a job that isn't a hellish and isn't going away, and a little canine companionship can do.

i hope sincerely that you all can get to this kind of not-just-waiting-for-the-next-disaster peace of mind.

and, caveat: i'm not saying depression isn't real. i'm saying it can be worsened by perpetually insecure life circumstances. if you're taking antidepressants or in other ways treating depression, it IS a real and serious illness and you should continue. and hang in there. i wish all the best.

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