Under a rock? Swimming through the Hackney cannel pretending to be a mermaid?
If I am honest my absence from this blog has been down to... the big D... depression.
Does anyone else ever feel blue? It always surprises me even in these modern times
how taboo the issue of anxiety and depression can be, considering how many of us
will have to deal with these monsters at some point in our lives. Ever since my tender teenage years I have suffered from a catalogue of seriously shit mental health issues and lately I have been feeling pretty under the weather so I apologise for my lack of input into our little internet space.
However there are ways of dealing with these crushing insercurities. Partying worked pretty well for a while, and by god did I party. But that shit is expensive and takes its
tole on your body. So this past week I have been trying to find alternative pick me ups to battle the blues.
I've been doing my hair all fancy, using a charming tutorial that I found
through our link stats, unfortunately I can't locate it now to link you guys,
I can't even remember the name of the blog *hopeless* if anyone knows
which tutorial I am yacking on about help a lady out!
I bought a new hat. £2 from a charity shop on Marestreet. It's a ring
of glorious fox fur, I'm guestamating from the late 60's/ early 70's.
And most importantly I got a frickin CAT. His name is Jean Cocteau
(French Artist/Poet/ General Badass) he is 6 months old and I totally love him.
Even when he fucks up all my knitting yarn.
So there you have it, the few things that have helped me to keep treading
water over the past couple of weeks. I hope everyone else is feeling a little
more sunshine in their lives, and I promise I will be back to normal soon
with much more outfit posts and vintage know how.
Lots of Love
Harriett xx
Swoon, how gorgeous is your kitten?
ReplyDeleteOn a more serious note, I know exactly what you mean with feeling down - I've struggled with depression (sometimes more, sometimes less) for years and years.
I hope you feel better soon
Lots of love
Oh love, you'll feel better in no time! Jean and I will be always around to cheer you up and make you laugh (even if that means me doing something pretty stupid as I'm not generally funny). Love you lots, don't forget that! xxxx
ReplyDeleteYou darling girl! So happy you're back.
ReplyDeleteAlso maximum respect for you. All the women on my Mum's side of the family have suffered from depression for most of their lives. My Mum too. We have recently been going through a major family crisis, so I have been desperatley trying to get her to keep her chin up and at the same time making sure I do as much as I can to not go down the same route.
Always here if you want to talk or just need a giggle.
Can not wait to meet your velvet prince, he's so handsome. Maybe him and Bentley can have some Bro dates. xxx
So sorry to hear your feeling blue. I know how you feel. I try and concentrate on all the things that make me feel good, watching a good movie, reading a book, music, or if necessary hiding under the duvet. As Caroline said in 2 broke girls 'sometimes you've just gotta take to the bed'. Love the kitten, sooo cute. Hope your feeling much better soon and the big D doesn't return. Ali x
ReplyDeletesorry you're blue, it sucks. I enough reading all about your adventures and looking at your photos. Hang in there, you have lots and lots of thing to experince and to enjoy. PS: that's a damn cute cat. One of mine "knitted" all around the legs of my dining room table.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for finding the courage to talk about "the big D" here. Many people find inspiration and hope when they learn that friends or role models suffer from similar issues to their own, and being open about one's troubles can be quite therapeutic.
ReplyDelete"No matter how dark the night, the sun will always rise."
Hat off to you for your honesty and bravery Harriett, especially in this arena that's usually about 'how fabulous am I and dont you want my social life!' blogosphere ...You are beautiful, amazingly stylish, creative, educated, have killer lips, adventurous, fun-loving, inspiring...
ReplyDeleteFeel better soon, lovely, I know the boat you are in very well. You're stunning and brave xoxo
ReplyDeleteYeah, I have big bouts of depression. It sucks. I have no real advice, as everyone is different - but pets help - so getting such an adorable mog is a step in the right direction :)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear you've been blue. My grandma has depression and it can get pretty lonely sometimes for her. I'm glad you shared! Your cat is so cute! My dog always finds a way to cheer me up so I'm sure your cat will step in when needed :)
ReplyDeleteI deal with depression too. You are not alone. Glad you're treating yourself to some happy things. And glad you're back too.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon,
ReplyDeleteyou are very a inspiring, gorgeous young lady,
sadness is part of life, I guess,for all of us
Lots of love
Your awesome for many reasons. Calling out everyones bullshit like they done get depressed from time to time, sheesh. Good one! Yeah, why is it so damn taboo not to have a cheezy smile palstered on non-stop (even when its fake)?
ReplyDeleteAlso for making me crack up laughing with the pic and caption of your cute kitty "fucking up all your yarns".
Way too funny, even when your feeling blue.
Things will fell better soon lovely!
Excellent move, getting a cat. They seriously work miracles for stress relief and depression lifting. I ran into a friendly one on the way home recently, when I was having a hideous day and utterly exhausted. He let me pat him for ages and it was like a big weight lifting off my shoulders. They have a quiet little understanding too, I find, and definitely respect you and try to help when they sense a dark mood. I do hope Jean helps you out x
ReplyDeletegood for you! talking about depression is almost as depressing as depression its self but it is essential to talk about it.
ReplyDeleteit was a pleasure to read that blog. thank you!
p.s. hoping to get my own furry fellow soon. x
I'm so sorry to hear about this, and hope you manage to pull out of it soon. I know it is often difficult to do so, but what a beautiful cat. I can't really offer any advice beyond forcing yourself to commune with positive people who you can rely on to make you happy. And avoiding what obviously just gives you the mean reds. Sounds obvious, but often it's easy to end up unmeaningly wallowing, spending time around things which make you blue. I understand that you have recently finished your degree, and - myself being in the same position - I really think that this is a very imbalanced, irrational and unpredictable time for any- and everyone, especially after years of structure. Things will get better though. I really hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteHope you start feeling perky again soon! Depression is the worst, and it's so hard to overcome it when it attacks, but it sounds like you're on the right track for now, sending my love,
ReplyDeletePhoebe
also, that is one beautiful cat!
Oh, I am sorry to hear that. I find that creative pursuits can definitely help, exercise too if you can be bothered. Anyhow, I hope the depression passes soon for you.
ReplyDeleteLike others have said, I really admire you being so open about depression. Stay strong, Harriet! You're not alone :).
ReplyDeleteAww, you're strong, you'll get through it! It's inspirational that you are so open with your depression
ReplyDeleteAnd your kitty is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!
I don't know why it's such a shameful thing to admit that things in your life aren't going swimmingly 100% of the time. It's like when you are unhappy that automatically is a sign of failure. which isn't fair and isn't true. I really feel and empathithize with you. You are wonderful and unique. I mean there must be a reason why so many peopLe 'tune in' to hear what your getting up to on regular basis, maybe some people are just meant to feel things more intensely than others.
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon. Because you realy are fabulous.
All the best
India
X
Glad you got a new hat and a pussy cat! Hats make me feel better too, but nothing compares to the kitty cat love you will get! I never realized how funny cats can be when they think no one is watching, it will definately make you feel better! Glad you are climbing out of the darkness to which I can relate.
ReplyDeletehugs and admiration all the way from Vancouver, Canada!
Heather and kitty cat Stella!
Harriett, I'm so sorry to hear you've been feeling this way but also, thank you for having the courage to speak up about it. I agree, it's such a taboo in society these days but it really shouldn't be. Depression and anxiety and all other mental disorders aren't weaknesses, they aren't something that makes you inferior, they are just something that happens to some people and it takes tremendous strength to fight it. I completely relate to how you feel, having felt this way on and off again since I was also a teenager. It's really tough trying to stay positive, but I'm so glad you're doing it. I'm not sure this will really help, but I'd like you to know what a giant inspiration you are to so many of us and we're all here to support you, even if it's just by giving you a well needed frivilous fashion distraction!
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon
xox
As someone who has suffered with depression on and off for the past 3 years I think its great to actually put it out there and say, you know what? I'm depressed. I remeber when i was first suffering in my second year of uni I couldnt tell anyone. One of my housemates only found out after rescuing me in a hyperventaliting crying mess sat curled up under out kitchen table, and she was the only one who knew for months. It takes courage to actually say it out loud.
ReplyDeleteI have to say i agree with Anushka though. Finishing uni, having too much time on my hands, and not enough purpose screwed with my brain rather, and I spent a good month spiralling back into my past feelings of depressions (as it is one of those things that never really leaves you). I went away to New York for a few days, and i dont know what it was about being out there, but it refreshed me and i felt ready to face the world again. I often find taking myself away from the place I assoicate with depression can help me to fight the (lighter) bouts of it.
Anywayyyys hope you feel better soon!
x
Sorry to hear about your blues, hope you start feeling better soon. You look gorgeous with your hair like that, I love that colour lipstick! xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm truly sorry to hear that but it's refreshing to hear( well, see) someone talking so openly about it. I hope things pick up for you soon but I definitely concur that getting a kitty is a step in the right direction and he a is a beaut for sure! x
ReplyDeleteI'm really sorry to hear you've been feeling like this! I feel like this quite often and have done over 2/3 years and still haven't found a "coping mechanism" apart from a good bubble bath with candles and some Yann Tiersen playing in the background, oh and wear my lipstick(s) whatever the occasion.
ReplyDeleteP.s your new kitty is adorable!! That's another thing that keeps me going, my cat, called Mumble (she prances around like the penguin in happy feet, Mumble!) and keeps me forever entertained and loves me unconditionally!
I really hope you feel better soon and remember, you are simply divine and beautiful in every way. xxx
Aimée (www.wehaveobsessions.blogspot.com)
Cats are good for depression, and yours is cute as hell!
ReplyDeleteL.
Good Morning Angel.
Hope it passes sooner rather than later, it's not a nice place to be, I know that myself.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely you look, though, my dear and sweet cat.
Hey Harriett,
ReplyDeleteI sure know how you feel, I've suffered all my life :( My main source of unhappiness is my body and dissatisfaction with how I look, so when I see a gorgeous girl like you it's easy to think 'how can she be sad when she looks like that & so many people admire her?', but I know it isn't that simple. For me life feels like it is going nowhere & I've lost interest in every last aspect of it, which is horrible. I'm even selling all my vintage clothes cause I just don't care about them anymore. Nothing seems to matter more than finding happiness, contentment, and everything else, 'stuff', is just obsolete.
I am 32 now, and I have recently taken myself in hand and am getting some much recommended therapy, hahaha!
Reading your lovely blog brings a cheer to my day, so keep writing! Sending you a big hug from one lost soul to another x x x
Meditation. Really, I think everyone should look into it, even people who are at a happy point in their lives. Because happiness can only stay if it comes from within and we stop relying on external factors.
ReplyDeleteTake care :).
i hope you feel better pretty soon. the past three years i went through quite hard times, a lot of sad and dissapionting things happened to me ... end of last year i had to find out that all ended up in a depression and a big burn out. in germany it takes a loooooooong time to find a psychotherapist and i still haven't found one. luckily i met some amazing people that helped me out - and i found a new love. i feel good and quite happy nowadays - but i still know i have to see a doc sooner or later.
ReplyDeletetake care! partying doesn't help forever ;)
nice xx :))
ReplyDeleteSaving Thousands of People Hundreds of Dollars a Month
http://www.saversclub.us/
Hi Harriett, thanks for sharing girl x although being blue blows, it happens. I thought id write down what helps me as it may be of some use? sometimes it helps to 'fake to till you make it' - not begrudgingly but with real effort, in order to feel like the confident vibrant woman that you are, you need to act like it and more positive feelings will follow. CHOICES - i truly believe that if you think depressive thoughts you will get depressed. so stop the negative thought patterns, just drop them because there is a huge difference between examining your life and self pity. just let go of the 'past' -it is right now, you can choose to be happy, just let go of the self pity and neurosis ,these things havent helped you yet and never will. Gratitude -their is always someone out there worse off than you. Equaniminty, enthusiasm, empathy, and joy are all things that can be cultivated- it just takes some work. :)
ReplyDelete*gasps* JC is total HEAVEN! And I secretly love the naughy cats that fuck up your yarn, shit in my window planter box full of herbs etc. :D
ReplyDeletea multivitamin & vitamin B complex has helped tremendously to help me feel better. i hope you are doing well now.
ReplyDeletei will pray for your joy and hope to return.
xo
Oh matey, it sucks that you're feely sucky. When I feel crap I hug some pets, drink some tea and read/watch some exceptionally shitty things. Dirty Dancing 2 - Haviana Nights is garunteed to make you feel better (dancing and an awful plot set in the 50s! What's not to love?). Or if you want your life to look amazing in comparison, watch Showgirls and drink everytime the acting so bad that you want t step in and shake the lead girl.
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better!
I think Jean Cocteau will prove to be a real tonic-- I know my critters are about the only thing that makes me feel better when I get a case of Holly Golightly's "mean reds." It's good you are talking about your depression and it's also good that you know why you are feeling so rotten. I felt like crap for nearly 2 years before being diagnosed-- knowing is a HUGE step towards coping. Day by day, Harriet. And, in the meantime, snuggle that gorgeous, naughty kitty to help you remember what's important in life. x
ReplyDelete