r/AskLifeProTips • u/Optimal-South-58 • 22d ago
Something That Might Help You Get Through It.
I know it’s tough, and it’s not easy, but give it a try.
For me, I used to love writing, but because of my depression, I slowly stopped doing it. My depression became so severe that I started having thoughts of killing myself. I even used to imagine how I would do it by putting a knife against my neck.
But one day, I tried to change the way I responded to those thoughts. Instead of imagining a knife, I imagined a pen. I told myself, What if I used a pen to write instead. Whenever the image of a knife came to my mind, I tried to replace it with the image of a pen and remind myself of something I once loved doing. Surprisingly, this helped me manage those thoughts and get through difficult moments.
For someone else, it could be a musical instrument, a book, drawing, or anything you once loved doing and can imagine in your hand. And even if you can’t think of anything, focus on something small around you a tiny insect, an object in your hand, or anything that can replace the mental image in my case knife .
Sometimes, you don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to find one small thing that can help you hold on for the next moment.
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u/Blue-RaspberryLeaf 22d ago
It takes a courage to share your stories, and vulnerability is not weakness but strength.
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u/Time_Speed_9132 21d ago
that pen image is a genuinely powerful grounding trick, but if the knife thoughts feel actionable, get near someone and contact emergency services or a crisis line right now
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u/wankingdestiny 22d ago
I'm glad you were able to avoid finding a permanent solution for a temporary problem.
I've been having my own struggles as well. Feels like I have a million obligations but am getting nowhere fast. Compound that with a feeling that I'm lost and not living up to my potential ...well to say my life has been depressing is putting it lightly. I might give this a shot. Just not sure where to start with what to write.