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Scrapping when one has depression

let all your emotions on your page. Let them out. Make a dark page, ... journal all those feelings.. or a piece of art journal. Scrapping is a great way to flitter those emotions..
I have tons of pages that are full of emotion, if you need inspiration feel free to swift through my gallery
 
don't be afraid to let the bad things out! once they out you feel much better! life is not always pink or rainbow colored... scraping is not just about the good memories it is also about processing any part of your life. so go on and grind in the bad things! :) (this is a Hungarian slang hope you say something like that too.)

and Kari really has a tons of inspiring pages!
 
Use a template to spark creativity. I'm currently in counseling and on meds. I scrap happy times to help bring me to my happy place :) I read an article recently about scrapping happy times, but hiding the journaling of bad times. I think it was in a June challenge at "The Digital Press" site
 
I started papercrafting when I was off work suffering with depression and anxiety in 2012. I wanted to do something therapeutic, and was unable to concentrate enough to work on my embroidery and stitching (which was my only hobby at the time).
I had always loved colouring in as a child, so I started colouring, and from there I started making cards with my creations. Then I started scrapping and here I am now...

If you are struggling with concentrating or feeling motivated (my two main problems when depressed) then try something simple like a colouring book and crayons.

Hope you feel better soon x
 
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Lots of great ideas already. I don't know if I have any more to add. Getting it all out helps and you don't have to show anyone that page if you don't want. I have pages that are just mine to see (or I delete them if that's what I want to do).
Templates are what I use often when I just don't quite have that creative spark.
I really feel for you. I battle it too and have for a long time. I hope your Dr. knows and has some ideas as well. It was hard for me to ask for help but it's the best thing I ever did.
 
My only advice is to just go with it, don't get stuck a style or content just create. I have found that with some of AJ pages I started it one way but then when I completely let go it went in a different direction and I loved the result.
 
I started digi scrapping in a low point too. I scrapped my feelings at the time and where I wanted to be in equal measure. Slowly I started realizing there were many happy times and I had valuable input to them. I started feeling good about what I created and finally how I felt.
I don't want to imply I was clinically depressed and got cured because that's probably not accurate, but I did get in touch with my feelings and thoughts and made a conscientious effort to be more positive. I think it worked.
 
Wishing you the best, Cath. I've only had depression once in my life and thankfully it only lasted a year or so (it was related to hormones). I thought there was some good suggestions above.
 
I'm a long time depression sufferer and started scrapping in the midst of things (but before the very worst).

I have to say that I 100% used scrapping to focus on the fun and happy times that I had enjoyed previously. Looking through those photos and recalling the positive memories was a way of escaping from the darkness that my life was at the time (and still is, though nowhere near as bad as the worst days).

I admit that I became obsessed with scrapbooking. It took all of my energy. But that was a positive. It got me up, out of bed and doing something (even if it wasn't the housework!).

I have done the occasional pages that talk more about my dark days, but they have been few and far between and I am not overly sure how helpful it was to focus on that. Different things work for different people.

I hope that you find a way through the dark days. My thoughts are with you. It's a long and lonely road to be on.
 
I think you got some great advice, Cath. Hoping things turn around for you!
 
I have to say, I am SO proud of you for posting this.

I have known Cath for ...what...5 years? we do talk quiet a lot and I have been slapping her into making a positive change , which she has done greatly since joining the Pad...... I am (in an ironic way- I know but you know what I mean) kinda happy to see how many of us are in the ins & outs of the deep dark hole of depression and willing to share and extend a hand.

I admire a LOT those of you with clinical depression, as I know exactly why I get depressed...when there is an answer, I reckon we have half the path conquered..... but, as I said...am happy that here we find a family where we can talk, ask for guidance, and to me, that is the first step to soothing the pain....knowing how many others understand what we go through, and how many others who may not know or suffer it but are here willing to help no matter what....... that is

PRECIOUS.

I love you Cath, sorry I have you abandond lately (well all of you really) but you know I am always in the other end if you give a shout
I'll come back with actual question to what you posted, as I need to pick Sarita up right now!!!

When I think of the Pad, I think FROGS
FROGS are GREEN
and GREEN is HOPE
so hey, this family is full of hope for one another.
Love you guys.
 
fruitysuet said:
I'm a long time depression sufferer and started scrapping in the midst of things (but before the very worst).

I have to say that I 100% used scrapping to focus on the fun and happy times that I had enjoyed previously. Looking through those photos and recalling the positive memories was a way of escaping from the darkness that my life was at the time (and still is, though nowhere near as bad as the worst days).

I admit that I became obsessed with scrapbooking. It took all of my energy. But that was a positive. It got me up, out of bed and doing something (even if it wasn't the housework!).

I have done the occasional pages that talk more about my dark days, but they have been few and far between and I am not overly sure how helpful it was to focus on that. Different things work for different people.

I hope that you find a way through the dark days. My thoughts are with you. It's a long and lonely road to be on.
Click to expand...
I love that you call out the obsession! That's so me right now! :)
 
fruitysuet said:
. It's a long and lonely road to be on.
Click to expand...

I agree with you in most, and I am always saying that, literally, scrapbooking SAVED my life.
There is no doubt about it-

But it doesn't have to be such a lonely road-

I have found here so many people that made my path not so less lonely, but got my faith back on track.

What my mum & dad failed to be able to do in 2003 when I had a "routine" hip replacement that was supposed to get me back to full time work failed miserably and so did 4 other operations that followed along the 3 years after, and my life as I knew it collapsed, my husband of 12 years together, father of my daughter , the love of my life, an incredible man, professional, husband, father, friend, son, also had been not too long before diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and instead of letting me help him or get help, decided to become al alcoholic, and then I was alone with a 5 years old, unable to work, pain, the excruciating kind, 24/7, over 4000 miles from all my family and life time friends, in a country where the culture is SO different I couldn't even make my self understood with the medical profession because my problem was beyond bones & tissues: from being a fun, social, very successful professional in 3 jobs, earning tons of money and living a life I loved, I went to not being able to get out of bed, drive, have a shower on my own and at times not even fed myself.......when my mum left (of course she had been here almost a year and my dad was dying without her) my world collapsed even more. My child was then 6.

I blamed God.

All my family tried. There are many religions in my family, Jewish, Roman Catholic, many ramifications of Christian Churches, and even Muslims (my parents are from Syria but went to South America very young)- Everyone tried.
Nothing.

Then these women, chiefly, I have to say, our dear, dear to my heart Anne of Alamo (God knows how much I miss the crazy nut!!! LOL)
some of my designers, Jen (as in Jenevang) had a lot to do too, though maybe she doesn't even remember.....they not only gave me my faith back, but also were there for me all along, in more ways that you can imagine. -they still are :)
There are a lot more of you but we ll be here all day-

You DO NOT have to be lonely.
Reach out.

There are here a lot of people who suffer in different ways, and I am SURE you will find the soothing friendship works miracles.
I'm one who (and I know many of you can confirm this) will try be there for you at any time.
I sleep very little.
Sometimes I can't type, but I get on skype or on the phone if needed.
I know am not everyone's cup of tea, but I do know there are a group of women here, at The Lilypad, that there will be sure someone that will be in harmony with you.

Reach out.

You do NOT have to be lonely.
The best thing that happened to me after 2003 was finding scrapbooking and it took a LONG time , but I found this place and this place has LOVE- all around.
and laughter.
and understanding.
all those things that make happiness
even if for a while, your heart will feel the soothing.
I'm not saying is the cure, but to me? it works much better than oral morph.....

there is reason beyond our comprehesion why God has put us all together here, women of all kind of path and religion, color, nationality....this is a VERY special place-
just reach out :)
you do not have to be lonely :heartlub
 
Thank you for posting this Cath. Today is a day of tears, not really depressed but there's a little bit. Hurt feelings yesterday and no way to really resolve it. Changes and a new month with new goals. For me, it's being so tired of the stereotypes I keep getting labeled with and it was really nice to come back here and read responses from people who understand. So guess I should take the advice and scrap about it right? See girl -- you have helped someone else in your own way.
 
Cynthia, I been trying to think of something to say, since I seen your lovely words. Just no words, just tears come. It was the most wonderful thing I have ever read. I am so prowd, to have you in my life, Love you Mum
 
you know I know the words that are in your heart Cath, no need to write them.... and I am always here for you- Love you too, daughter!!!!!!!! :heartlub:heartlub:heartlub

Carrie: I think we all have found some healing here..... and in helping one another is another step forward...
I know what you mean about stereotypes.....

Some of my conditions are VERY visible.... but depression none can see , right? my most dreaded thing: when someone sees you and goes
"but you LOOK so well!!!!!!"

yeah, come live inside my body, mind and heart..... that's why I became a bit of a recluse these days....
 
Sending BIG hugs to all of you. Cyn, you know I love ya lady! :)
 
I just did the byoc, using a memory of childhood, left me feeling good, then exploring my inner demons, think i try to do more of good
 
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