BY EMILY HARRISON / KALAMALAMA STAFF WRITER
This may be a sensitive topic, or it may be an answer that you’re looking for. Either way, bear with me. It’s okay to feel, and it’s okay to cry.
I feel a lot of us, especially college students, have a hard time carrying the weight of our futures, and our presents, and unfortunately our pasts. Sometimes we’re in such bliss that we don’t notice the weight until its beyond looming, and it becomes crushing.
I want to make it clear that this isn’t a “buck up” kind of post. I won’t educate you on where depression comes from, or why it happens. There is no one definitive answer, nor is there a definitive solution. I won’t tell you you’re wrong for feeling this way. And I won’t tell you that its not that bad.
I don’t know you, and I don’t know what you’re going through.
But I may know some ways to help, and if they can help, then maybe we can all get through this together.
I hope everyone who may read this knows this post is a safe space. I hope you know that you are not alone. And even if these suggestions don’t work as a permanent solution for you, know that there are people who care and people who can relate to what you’re going through.
It doesn’t matter if you want to ask for help, know that it is offered all the same.
The semester’s is reaching an end. Were now done with week fifteen and we have one left to go.
Finals week.
One of the most piling times of the year. i know those feelings are going to worsen within the following weeks, and unfortunately, there’s no way to stop finals, or the holidays.
Depression is a sensitive topic. There are many ways to address it, and there are many ways to deal with it. But overall, working for a cure isn’t going to get you far. Because if you fail to find a cure, you’re going to set yourself back further than when you started and some of us don’t have the strength to climb back up that latter.
Instead, I would suggest trying looking for ways to cope with the depression.
And I know some of you may be tired of fighting, exhausted, and maybe you’re feeling worse than when you started. I can understand, and I know what you mean.
I can give you ways to ease some of the pain. I can give you ways to distract from the exhaustion. I can even suggest ways to help with the fog surrounding you. But overall, this is something you will have to conquer yourself. But that doesn’t mean alone.
For my fellow HPU Students, know that there are options, if you need to talk to someone. Sometimes talking to our friends and family is hard, because most of the time, they simply don’t understand, or worse, they’re pitying instead of empathetic.
So, if you need someone who you don’t have to see again, someone who you don’t have to worry about telling everyone you know, then maybe reach out to some of the counseling services here.
I of all people know how gross that word is. It’s almost scary, and to be honest, it sounds like I am in trouble.
But try your best to know that it’s not.
There’s no quizzes, no tests, no judgments. Just somebody to talk to.
And maybe it can help.
I also hate calling, but unfortunately that’s the best way to get in contact with them.
Their Main Contact Number: (808) 687-7076 or their Email Address: counseling@hpu.edu and you can go to HPU Health services for more information.
But of course, no matter what, if you feel you need it, then ask for it, reach out, do something to help yourself.
There’s no sense in drowning next to the lifesaver.
There are many other options for those of you who are not HPU students, and i would do further research in options related to your company or school, and sometimes they’re completely covered.
But if you don’t like talking to someone, and that’s okay if you don’t, here may be some options that can help you.
Music
As simple as it sounds, music is one of the best ways to deal with the emotions and thoughts that linger over you. There are thousands, if not millions, of artists who write and sing about the feelings you are having. And sometimes knowing someone else feels the way you do, helps.
Sometime hearing music influences us, and if we hear something a little more positive, we may have a better mind set.
And other times we are looking for a mere distraction, and music is a great way to distract you and bring you into a better, almost fantasy, place in your mind.
Hobbies
I know this sounds like a lot of work, and it is. And I can list hundreds of hobbies, but they may never apply to you. Instead, I’ll give you an example of what a hobby can do for you.
I combat my negative emotions with writing.
But, in full honestly, I don’t combat them, I embrace them.
Instead of suppressing that emotional hangover, I let it out, and I let it flow.
But I do it in secret, and more importantly, I do it on paper. Every emotion I have that I feel unsafe to express to my surrounding people, I write down.
I’ve made a diary, and I address it to a mystery person no one knows about. I pour my heart out. I list everything that has gone wrong or gone right, I describe every emotion I can because I need it out. I need it out in the world, and even though I don’t feel safe to tell the people in my life directly, writing it down so that this imaginary being knows, helps me feel less pressured, and like someone understands.
It actually helps more than you’d think. It helps me sleep at night. It helps me bring back a true smile to my face. It helps me breathe again.
Writing is one of the only ways I can receive that feeling. I don’t feel suppressed or ignored. I feel free.
Even if its not writing, finding a hobby may be one of the quickest ways for you to find freedom, to find that relief.
Walking
I know you’ve heard it time and time again, that exercise is good for you. And yes of course it is. Yes, it helps you stay healthy. Yes, it’s good for your heart…blah blah blah.
For those of us combatting such a lingering beast, walking is more than a health tip. When you walk, especially if you walk alone, this is where you can express your feelings.
Have those conversations you’ve been waiting to have that have been trapped in your head for so long. Express those hidden feelings, these hidden thoughts. Express what you have suppressed.
Take some laps, make sure you’re on a safe route. Have some self-protection. But then go walk. Walk until you feel that weight lift off your mind. Walk until you can finally breathe again. Talk, even if it’s to inner dialog.
Talk through your problems, talk through the weight on your shoulders. Talk it out.
And if you have nothing to say. Walk anyway. Walk until you feel anything but the fog that’s been hazing your vision.
No matter what, it’s important to keep in mind that laying down and losing the battle isn’t an option. Find something that can help, find someone who can help.
Not everything in life needs to be done independently.
Not everything in life needs to be done silently.
It’s okay. And you’ll be okay.
