I am way late in answering this question, but better late than never, right? For this week, Calen asks a very important question, one that has me questioning a lot about my past and present.
The best answer that I can come up with is… I am still alive. I don’t feel brave for weathering my storms. I don’t feel empowered for accomplishing some massive feat. And I am definitely no role model for others who’ve been abused (physically, emotionally and/or mentally) or suffered from crippling depression.
I wrestle with my demons on a daily basis. Some days I am grateful that I have the tools to keep myself from descending back into what I can only describe as a hell of my own making. Other days, I begin to slide and forget all about those tools as darkness surrounds me. I must have a whole team of angels working in my favor because something always catches me before I fall too far into the abyss. Lately, it would seem that they’ve been working in tandem as my demons are determined to recapture me completely.
I often ask myself if I made the wrong decision to go off of my medication nearly two years ago. For the most part, I’ve been fine. Just short bouts of melancholy for the better part of a year. But for the past six months, I’ve begun to notice a trend. The short bouts are getting longer and it isn’t just melancholy, it’s definitely depression now. Not to mention, my OCD is getting much worse, to the point of agitation. Fear has become a constant companion. I am not sure I could handle another serious break-down.
To me, a survivor is one who has faced an obstacle and come out a winner. I’m still facing obstacles and I haven’t won anything yet. So I don’t really consider myself a survivor. I merely exist on the brink of chaos.
As the Fates Would Have It 
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A survivor is not necessarily someone who “wins”. She is someone who fights the enemy and doesn’t give up. She faces the demons and tells them they have no place in her life and they should go home to hell. Sounds like you to me.
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I agree with Raili and Linda. Perhaps the truth is your demons will not be able to defeat you again because NOW you are armed with the truth and insight you need to fight them? Hang in there, girlfriend! {{{Lori}}} And don’t let uncaring, inconsiderate friends push your buttons. Push back! That’s what makes a survivor imo. They push back.
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I’m with Raili on this Lori….you are a survivor just by being aware of what’s happening within yourself. Don’t sell yourself short on how far you have come. (Hugsssssss)
Lori, the mere fact that you exist makes you a survivor. The fact that you have such a depth of insight into yourself, makes you a survivor. The fact that you have tools that you can use makes you a survivor. The fact that you have pulled yourself back from the brink many times in the past definitely makes you a survivor. Your current state is just not letting you acknowledge that fact. You are resilient, resourceful, courageous and have dug deep before. You can again 🙂 Sending you lots of love xxxx