This morning, getting out of bed was SO hard. Depression is like that; it shows up in different forms throughout the day. Without fail, depression visits me, like clockwork, fist thing in the morning, begging me to stay in bed (even though I’d been in it for 8+ hours).

Today was harder than most. Depression is like that too, he likes to be more intense some days, and others, he hardly shows up…but he’s there, lurking in to corner, visible enough to not let you forget him. This morning, I let him win for the first hour of my day. I was lethargic, didn’t care about anything, mean to myself, and I was over the day even though it had just started.

I got into my car, and my podcast started playing, like usual, automatically. I turned it off. I didn’t want to hear about how other people were being successful. I wanted to wallow in my own self pity.

Then, I heard @msrachelhollis (my current obsession) in my head saying : “Girl, go wash your face. Turn my podcast back on, and get to work.” No joke, I turned off my car, went upstairs and WASHED MY FACE. I hugged my dog, got in my car, and turned my podcast (reluctantly) back on. @msrachelhollis was interviewing @toisweeney about the importance of how we present ourselves. I was wearing a T-shirt and jeans, with some high tops (my normal Friday wear as a teacher) and I felt like “well, it’s too late for me now.” But, I listened anyways.

At the end, she talked about how makeup can be an accessory just like a necklace can. For some reason (THIS reason), I have red lipstick in my desk at work, along with a tube of mascara. I don’t know why, because typically, I’m not a makeup every day kind of person…but I said: “Why not?” And I put it on.

Y’all. I woke up this morning depressed and defeated, just waiting for the day to be over. I stepped out of my classroom, and got SO many compliments on how I look today.

I don’t normally care about that kind of stuff, but it was honestly what I needed to hear today.

I know lipstick and mascara isn’t the cure for depression, but being kind to yourself and hearing kindness from others sure helps.

Happy fri-YAY, y’all. 🖤