Don’t look back?

[Catsamaze]

How many of us dealing with depression have been told “don’t look back”. Good advice, and many times I get into trouble when I do. But I’ve found that in some respects looking back can be helpful. If you’re climbing a mountain, either metaphorically (as many of us are in getting through or recovering from depression) or literally, one of the ways you can see how far you’ve come is to look back (down). You might be surprised at how much you’ve accomplished. You’re often much higher on the mountain than you think!

Another example is when I’ve been waiting in a long line and getting impatient I like to look behind me to see how far I’ve come rather than railing about how much longer I have to wait in the line.

It’s just a slight shift in perspective. I can’t do it all the time when I’m feeling down but I find it to be really helpful to look back if I do it in this spirit. I’m not talking about looking back in time. I’m talking about looking back in the present to see how far I’ve come and giving myself credit for being where I am right now.

[Hidden]

I like your shift in perspective and can see how it would help.

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Hopeforme. It helps when I can get myself to do it