Depression Success Story: Guest Blogger

Depression Success Story: "I Altered My Subconscious Beliefs Using the Byron Katie Method" (By Guest Author Mollie Player)

Contributor: Mollie Player. Read her online serial, My Byron Katie Detox: One Year of Questioning Everything I Believe on mollieplayer.com. [here, link to: https://mollieplayer.com/2018/02/03/my-byron-katie-detox-one-year-of-questioning-everything-i-believe/ ]

The story of my depression starts way back in time, back to some of my first childhood memories. Since then I’ve made a great deal of progress–more than I once thought possible. But that doesn’t mean I don’t still have it.

Daily, there’s a routine: Get some exercise, some alone time. Take time to read and write and be with friends. Meditate as much as possible all throughout the day, and never, ever forget to be grateful.

Sleep well, and a lot. Eat healthy. Take medication. Stay busy. Get outside if you can. Take vitamin D, a multivitamin, a cold shower. Then get some more exercise, and meditate again.

Most of the time, this works. It’s work, but it works. So I continue on, and make slow progress. But recently I discovered two techniques that are speeding up my results: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Byron Katie’s The Work.

Elsewhere on my site I tell more about these techniques for overcoming depression–how to do them, why they work and how well. For this story, then, I’ll just add a few personal examples–particularly difficult thoughts the methods have helped me overcome.

Keep in mind that these are just some of the beliefs, not all, that have altered over the past few months using these processes.

1. My kids require too much attention. After doing The Work, this thought became: My kids require just the right amount of attention for them. And I require a lot of attention, too–and I get it. Also, much of the day I’m doing other things–cooking, cleaning, hanging out with friends. Things I’d do whether or not the kid were present.
2. I am sick of breastfeeding. This changed to: I am not sick of breastfeeding. It’s good for the kids. It’s nice downtime for me–I often get to read at the same time. Plus, it helped me lose my extra baby weight. It is a blessing for us all.
3. I am exhausted. This thought became: I’m not exhausted. I am not depleted of energy. There is a great deal of energy in my body for everything my body needs to do. I am thankful that my body notices when it’s time to sleep, and lets me know.

It’s an interesting process, this thought-altering work. Sometimes I can feel the change in my perspective right away. Other times, though, I only notice the change later, when the situation comes up again.

Every time I do it, part of me doubts it will work. Most of the time I’m surprised.

Byron Katie told me this would happen. I love her so much.

If you haven’t tried The Work yet, start here.

Mollie Player [link here to mollieplayer.com]

See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.