Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how […]
Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Depression causes feelings of sadness or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.
One Reddit user, bovadeez, knows all about the terrible effects of depression.
Sharing his story on Reddit, he explains that he’s in a relationship with a woman who is dealing with anxiety and crippling depression.
He shared a creative and thoughtful example of what a significant other can do to assist their loved one when times are tough.
Using nothing more than a jar, some popsicle sticks, colored markers and a bit of paper, he created a pressure-free affirmation jar that allows his girlfriend to take a color-coded stick at a time of her choosing.
Bovadeez explained: “Each “category” is color coded so for example orange are inspirational quotes from poets, political figures, philosophers, and humanitarians across time. Yellow reminders are positive words to help you through the day things like “you’re beautiful” and “it’s ok to ask for help” the purple ones are tips to help her relax things like “take a break” while she’s working on her master’s or “listen to your favorite song”. I put a fine tipped sharpie in there with the blank ones so she record moments when she’s the happiest and then she can pull one of those later when she needs it.”
Putting the popsicle sticks inside of the jar along with instructions, bovadeez also included a note saying that should his girlfriend want to add a popsicle stick herself, she always could.
Then he handed it over to her.
“This will hopefully help to regain control in some aspects and push her to take breaks and become more focused on herself.”
Many commenters agreed that this approach would be much appreciated, and is a good example of the kind of support that is needed.
For bovadeez, nothing he does will magically make his girlfriend’s sad feelings go away, but by continuing to be the rock that he is for her, slowly, maybe one day, she will be able to put all that’s happened behind her.
“It hasn’t been easy and I know I have a long road ahead of me,” bovadeez went on to share in the comments. “But I’m trying.”