by Flo, San Quentin State Prison, CA
Years of trauma and tribulation went into the development of my depression. Even now, with the depression and stress management tools I have acquired, very recently, doesn’t completely eradicate the deep rooted depression I have.
However, the lessons I have learned about depression, the details I have learned about myself, the advice from wise people that I’ve accepted has helped me manage stress and depression in a way that I likely wouldn’t have, had I not put forth the action.
Today, I’m still learning myself, still, figuring out what works. I’ve learned it’s healthy to express how you feel to someone you trust, but is it healthy to be too dependent? What do you do when there’s no one to listen? A curable action for me was and is sports. I love sports. I find solace in sports. Sports are year round and the best theater on TV.
I love baseball, basketball, football, tennis, skateboarding, BMX, and even golf now. But outside of giving my face to television screens or making a home in someone’s arena, another curable action for my depression is learning about myself, being honest with myself and about my depression; and being willing to take the steps towards healing.