I tell myself "Okay, even if I'm still depressed when I've finished this thing, at least I'll be depressed with clean socks/scooped litter/groceries in the fridge." And having those things WILL help me feel a little better.
Totally agree. I look at it as I can be depressed and get something done or I can be depressed and get nothing done, so I always push myself to do what little I can. And then, when I get some time that I do feel able to do something, I can go do something fun guilt-free, because I already did the chores earlier. Pushing myself when I don't want to means I get to make the most of my better moments.
I feel the same, my depression turns to anger when I let myself down with letting messes go, it always helps to scoop the litter, and have some clean washing rather than smelling cat poop and dirty socks 😂
Mack, I'm a psychologist and this is such a great video on what psychologists call "behavior activation" that I'm keeping this to share with patients. I enjoy you normally but this video is outstanding. Thanks for what you do.
@@KarenAnne1965 hi dear Can you help me as therapist please? I want to understand my situation from another side Not only from my social and environment situation .
Hey, I'm certainly not a psychologist, but this man can make some awesome videos that touch me and a lot of other people! I also have chronic depression and anxiety and it is so hard to find someone that puts it into perspective like Mack does! ❤❤
I was floored by this. Ohh, how I wish more people understood that. Thanks. So much. I'm learning a lot from your content, but this might be the most healing and important of the bunch. I've never been so grateful for a pee soaked carpet in my life.
"I can do anything for 10 minutes" is a mantra I keep close to my heart when my mental illnesses are acting up. I can study for 10 minutes. I can clean for 10 minutes. I can cook a 10-minute meal. You would be shocked how much you can do in that short of a time. And sometimes, I even feel strong enough to do _another_ 10 minutes. And maybe another after that! You just have to keep repeating that one phrase to yourself, over and over, until your timer goes off.
A complete stranger makes a video and talks about depression. I will never meet this stranger in person, but he speaks from my soul. Can you imagine how many people you are helping with your words? Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I’m a woman and I don’t always manage the “get out of bed” thing. I lay in bed and think about how worthless I am and useless and how it would have been better to not be a waste of space and how hopeless I feel. My husband does not understand so I have given up on him understanding or empathizing (after almost 40 years of marriage). So listening to you today I got up out of my recliner and dusted and started cleaning my blinds. I will need to enlist my husband’s help to get them down for me. Tomorrow vacuuming will be my goal.
I was very impressed by this comment, I just wanted to say that. I’m sorry you’ve had to give up on your husband empathising. It’s not easy to fight to be understood without a good response and then keep getting out of bed feeling wonderful every morning. Or even half of the mornings.
I'm proud of you for cleaning your blinds. I understand the "not wanting to get out of the bed" thing. I often spend an entire Saturday just laying in bed call my scrolling on my phone, because it seems pointless to try to overcome the overwhelm of my to do list. Thank God I have a job, or I'd be absolutely screwed.
Something that might help you that has helped me, is get cute little tools that make you want to use them. I found this old antique duster that is adorable and it in turns makes me want to actually use it, which encourages me to actually dust... Normally it's something I have to remind myself to get to but when I see my duster I now get excited to use it
Kudos to you for realizing you are in charge of your own happiness. I was expecting a "you need to leave him if he doesn't make you feel like the queen you are" BS. You are a good woman, and keep up the good fight! You got this!
I'm a guy who deals with bipolar disorder, and it's honestly really fucking hard. I want you to know that the work you do has actively changed my life. A big part of bipolar is trying to stick to medication when depressed- a common issue is that when we get depressed, we're tempted to stop medicating in hopes of becoming manic since it's at least not depression. I'm coming out of the other end of a multi-week depression. At some point, I was falling into a severe low and was even becoming a little disassociated. But while dragging myself through my apartment, I grabbed my pills and whispered to myself "You like it when I take you, medicine? Yeah I love it, Sebastian!" In your voice under my breath. The little laugh I gave myself doing that meant I had just enough energy to eat something before I got back into bed. Eating a bit of food meant I actually slept better rather than restlessly, and could get up the next morning and took a bath to feel like a person again.
The moose coming into the commentary from the middle of nowhere, the Johnny from Minnesota jokes, they really do help! I am glad you found a way to use them and help yourself. I'm so happy for you!
I saw a really good one: anything worth doing is worth half assing. Like if you don't have it to take a shower, try washcloth wipe down or just changing your clothes.
@Fred: Why? Why do you feel the need to not only bring up religion, but bash people’s beliefs all in one go? I hope Mack sees your comment and bans you because although most of us on here love some good sarcasm, sarcasm with the goal of hurting others is wrong, especially on here. Channels like this are here to help people heal, and you’re just trying to cause pain.
After an accident landed me in a wheelchair for months, I fought depression by scooching around on my butt cleaning & repainting all the baseboards in my house. A neighbor girl with purple hair came over everyday to eat lunch together while we watched HGTV. She also helped me declutter. She made $$ & I had company & projects. My cat Gigi loved riding in my lap around the house in that wheelchair. Thx for this awesome video & best wishes with spending quality time with your son & your aging dog.
Thank you for this! I’m a late-diagnosed autist - at almost 81. Now, a year later, I’ve been decluttering my condo and feeling challenged about completing it. Your video helps me to see that I need a body double, even someone I hire, to help me stay focused. I love your self-talk, about getting started, and staying the course. The three-foot area, chill, then do another three-foot area appeals to me. Your mentioning that empathy is NECESSARY goes double for me, as my self-talk has had to transition from nasty to nice over decades. Such a mind-blowing attitude toward depression! Action! Thanks, again!
As someone mentioned, vitamin and mineral supplements are life in this case! The fatigue is debilitating. Take a vitamin mineral combination with 100% juice and give it about 30 days to feel the results.
My MIL has suggested to me that instead of making a 'To Do" list, make a "DONE" list to remind yourself what you accomplished in the day. That way you aren't looking at losses, but small accomplishments. Also, my husband is a veteran that suffers from anxiety and depression. There are days where he is constantly stuck in his head about how poorly he is doing and it is so hard to watch. Big moose hugs to you and your family for pushing through these illnesses ❤
Hi Andrea, please look into EMDR therapy for PTSD - it’s not that common, but it’s gaining popularity because it seems to be pretty effective for treatment of veterans with PTSD and other people who have anxiety and depression, and cannot get “unstuck“. Best wishes for your husband and you and thank you for his service and for both of your sacrifice.
I've tried that, actually. It does help. It's so easy to feel like I haven't accomplished anything, especially when I'm struggling. The "done" list works wonders.
I do a combo. I add the barebones needs at my worst to a to do (like "eat"), and then I also add what I got done that might not have been on the list. Like maybe some sort of physical activation was on my to do and didn't get done, but I did get the dishes done. Dishes are now added to list and crossed out. Reminds me that even if I didn't get the shit I planned done, I did make sure eating will be easier tomorrow. Or maybe my hair is still dirty but I did get food to feed myself.
"Action leads to motivation, not the other way round." and "anything worth doing, is worth doing half assed. at least then it's half done instead of not done at all!" amongst the best words of wisdom from a therapist I've gotten for getting things done through depressive episodes
It warmed my heart to hear you describe your partnership with your son, even though you pay him (nice!), it’s nice to know that you have him in your life.
Good one. "Anything worth doing is worth doing well" is one of the most destructive adages ever. I really like "Anything worth doing is worth doing half-assed." I can DO that!
This usually works, but it's the worst feeling when action doesn't lead to motivation. I remember forcing myself to exercise in order to get some endorphins and my blood pumping, but I felt like I was gonna fall asleep during it and I felt no different afterwards. Just empty. 😣
I have ADHD and chronic, debilitating depression. Watching your channel is like therapy for me. I can't express how much better I feel after listening to you. People that don't have these problems just can't understand. I'm trying so hard to change. Thank you so much for sharing your story. ❤
Please get help. It might take a few tries to find the right help but please do that. Just that. It is the one thing I have learned myself and see in others as well - there are things that are too hard to deal with alone. You need help and there always is help it just might not be easy to find but keep looking. If one therapist or method or medication or book doesn't help it doesn't mean you can't be helped. It means that thing wasn't it. ❤
Thank you for your channel. I'm first time to view. I do however have a BIG Question. If you're married why isn't your home organized it looks like you live alone and your wife has the mental freedom to take a vacation. Does she suffer from an illness also? Just asking because I'm confused.😮
That's very sad to hear, but it's good you were given a reason to smile. I look for that sort of thing as often as I can. I wish I could say every day, but it's quality not quantity. I watched this guy's video just a little while ago and thought "you know it would be good to hear this record or straighten up a few things...sort out my laundry for tomorrow...but I don't know if I could wear a tee-shirt with my own face on it. 😆😆😆 Even in the best of times, I'm still quite modest.
Mama Duck, please give yourself grace and time. Sometimes fighting is just getting up in the morning. You will be in my prayers. If you are not into the prayer thing, please accept it as a gesture of goodwill ❤
What helps me I learned from KC Davis: take care of tomorrow. Tomorrow only needs one clean outfit, a few clean dishes, and somewhere to sit. Keep taking care of tomorrow.
the only thing i do extra to that is taking care of things that start to mold. If i feel like i want to clean one thing its the moldy stuff, because that will get ten times worse really fast and might actually be a health threat at some point
Sometimes I can only prioritize by smelliest job first. If you get all kinds of stuff done but can still smell the cat box or garbage, you feel defeated.
Psychotherapist here. Depression can be a killer. It’s helpful to think of it in the terms you outlined, like you are fighting a war with an enemy. It’s important to fight it, with the tools you described. Force yourself to do something, stay physically and mentally active.
I am grieving the sudden & tragic loss of my 23 year old son. And all I want to do is sleep & never leave the house. I dont think I can survive this. Im extremely exhausted. I was diagnosed with ptsd, panic attacks & anxiety due to the way I lost him. He was silent. No warning. He told me everything! Or so I thought. He was here & then he was gone. Why didn’t he say something to me?! Why didn’t I know? A mother should know! I couldn’t save him! I wish I could have saved him! I would die for him! I replay it in my head almost daily. I have so many questions & no answers. Did I do something wrong? What could I have done better?! Why didn’t I know?! I dont know how to move forward. I can barely get through each day. I dont know what to do. The night his heart stopped beating, I died that night too. I am not the same person who loved to make people laugh. I’m just not her anymore. There is no joy without sadness. Because the only time I’m happy is when I’m with his older siblings. But even then I am very sad because of his absence. He never missed a family function, ever. He is such a sweet boy. My golden soul that everyone loves. I miss him with every beat of my heart! I loved him his whole life & I will miss him for the rest of mine, with every painful breath I take. I know he’s ok. But I’m not. And I dont know how to be. Yet here I am, watching a video to help motivate me. I dont know if anything can help me. My soul is truly shattered. I just want my son back. A mother should never bury her child. I am now Vilomah! And I am a twice suicide survivor. Losing a child will be the death of me. And losing him the way that I did makes it all so much worse. I am so lost. I just want my son to come home! 💛🕊️
@@DianaMarie23051 I’m very sorry for your loss. Grief can be all consuming. And there’s no answers to some of your questions. I hope you seek some counseling to help you. Be kind to yourself and be there for your children the best you can. Your son would want you to go on.
@@DianaMarie23051I’m just here wanting to send you, a perfect stranger, love and support. I’m so very, very sorry for your loss. I went through (still am) something very similar, but with my best friend who I found... I can’t even imagine going through it with a child… It’s been almost 9 years in my case but it still feels like yesterday in a lot of ways. I wish I had answers to your questions. I had the same questions and I’ve gradually come to accept that they’ll never be answered. I beat myself up for so many years asking those questions over and over and over again and it took a huge toll on my mental health and changed me forever. I saw a quote once that said “Grievers use a very simple calendar. Before and after.” I like that quote because it expresses the stark delineation in time, and also that there IS STILL an after (even though I know it doesn’t feel that way right now). It’s a VERY different ‘after’ but… I’m struggling to find the right words… we do still exist. And we still have others in our life that exist and that we care for. So we go on by crying when we need to, learning to ignore the bullying voice in our head that beats us up, taking the smallest of baby steps, seeking therapy/free support groups, etc. until the ‘after’ gradually becomes the present and we’re no longer reliving every moment in the pain of the past. I still have flashbacks after 9 years but I can finally move past them more quickly and not let them destroy me. I don’t know if any of this makes sense or helps at all. I just want you to know that you’re not alone, your feelings are valid, and there is hope. No matter how long it takes you to find it in your own way and at your own pace. Please take good care of yourself on this difficult journey.
My favorite trick is to set a timer for 10 minutes. For that 10 minutes, I usually do things to make the house smell good and reduce visual clutter. I open a window, light a stick of incense, take out the trash, make the bed, and put dishes in a sink of soapy water. After the 10 minutes is up, I can sit down again with no recriminations. Sometimes I do sit down, sometimes I keep going. There is a street fair in my area this weekend and I'm using up a lot of mental energy fighting with myself on if I'll go or not. I know I need to spend some time around people, so I'll do my best to make myself go. We're all in this together, so let's keep fighting!
I do the same trick but with a 5 minute timer. I always start with 5 minutes. Sometimes after several rounds I can go longer other days not but it does help to break down the tasks into small chunks. You feel better but without taxing yourself. If I absolutely force myself to work all day when I’m depressed a lot of times I’ll rebound and become more depressed or sick. The depression and my body fight back.
26:02 "it's your bully to fight but it doesn't mean you can't bring a friend to the brawl" is one of the hardest lines I've ever heard across all media
This needs to be said more often. I have the same things he has and I've had mental help for close to 20 years. That statement is something I wish I had heard 20 years ago.
Your words, "if you're a full grown adult who still thinks this way and still reacts this way to other people who are suffering It's not the world that needs to change, it's you!" Bravo!!! Empathy is NOT an option!! I appreciate your use of this platform to help educate others
Yep. I just told my therapist that depression is like, I'm driving along and everything is going along fine and suddenly my car falls into a hole the exact size of my car, so I can't go forward, backward, get out of the car, nobody knows I'm there...I guess I'm not going anywhere for awhile...almost 10 years. And I love your 'small, easy to reach, victories'...I was dragging myself out to water the garden everyday, and one day I saw a pair of scissors on the picnic table. Game changer. I stopped watering and pulled a weed [literally, just one weed]. I clipped a berry vine out of the pathway. The next week, I snagged the clippers and cut some dead stuff off some plants. It looked great. I've been putting the kettle of water on to boil for tea or coffee. Sometimes I even make myself some. While it's coming to the boil, if I see some clean dishes in the dish drain that looks carelessly stacked, I'll put them away. I've gotten the whole dish drain emptied at times, before the water comes to the boil. Mind blowing. The one thing I can not do to myself [my own self imposed rule] is to sit and think about the stuff that needs doing. What I've been doing instead is, if something looks disturbing to my eye repeatedly, and is in my trajectory every day, I will make a note to myself of a tool or whatnot that would be helpful in doing 'a little something' to it. And the day I remember my note, I set the tool or whatever in my path. Then one day without warning I'm doing 'a little something' - and sometimes if my energy is there, 'a lot of something' - to it. I'm hoping this becomes 'a thing'.
This so absolutely incredible. The narration is about 100,000 dollars worth of personal therapy for free. Thank you so much for this video. YOU GET IT. You get it.
I always fantasize about having someone to help me with my tasks! It would energize me so much and be fun! But I know everyone has their own tasks to do. What a great friend you have!
I shared this with a couple friends who, like me, are autistic and fight depression. I keep rewatching it, it makes me cry, you are so helpful and empathetic.
I have been a hoarder once. Clutter and hoarding have ruined my 20s and have caused 30K debt, a severe burnout and homelessness. But after homelessness a lot of things have changed for the better. I've developed structural habits and rituals that keep it simple to clean the place up once needed. Now my home is clean and tidy at all times and organized as never before. I have a healthy food stock. My backyard is sterile, tight grass with lush growing plants and shrubs. I've learned that cleaning and gardening are ways to fight depression.
My roommates destroyed my kitchen after I stopped cleaning up after them and I got really depressed and started hoarding after that. This year I'm finally getilting my house cleaned up. I'm glad to see it's possible to recover!
@@mx.heavenly4767back in the hoarding days I also said "This year", and it resulted in another year of hoarding. You really have to take the step to get out the chaos, before it gets too overwhelming, and too moldy in the kitchen and the fridge. Please have the empathy for yourself to do it now, instead of festering another year in a hoarding for something that is not your fault. Don't think, just bag it up, and get it out. I promise you, the more you do that, the more result you will have. See the bags as parts of the depression. It's another step to keep it up and develop your structure, by keeping yourself and your home clean. Whatever the circumstance. Good luck with clearing up. 👍
I watched this while laying in bed feeling exhausted and depressed. I've never heard anyone explain depression this way. It made more sense to me than just about anything else I have watched or read about depression. I've been watching your channel for a while now, and I have to say, MMC is not really about cleaning as much as it is about the effects of mental illness. Thank you so much for what you do. I have learned so much, but especially empathy for people who have hoarding disorder and forgiveness for myself for struggling most days. Thank you!
I am always amazed at people’s supportive comments. You tube Is more than sharing videos. It taps into a sharing community of people who will never know each other, but are humane and caring. I’m grateful. 0:31
When I’ve done the housework, I treat myself to a cheap bunch of flowers. When I see the lovely house and pretty flowers it makes me happy.😊 Then I try to remember that feeling when I don’t want to do it the next time.
That's a very good thing you do and is actually recommended in clinical therapy. I like to soak in the tub when everything is cleaned and vacuumed and new sheets are on the bed so I can relax and then crawl into nice clean sheets. . . .Ben & Jerry are usually involved in this along with a favorite TV show I recorded.
yes!! part of depression is your usual reward center being broken, manual rewards to make up for it is my favorite tool. I don't have much of a natural 'celebrate that things are clean' response, so I force myself to stop, look around, and appreciate it. It took me a while to notice the difference but now that I have, cleaning is a lot easier
I used to love cleaning than I married a dv guy (6 priors) two decades older than me who used to say i was 'crazy with the cleaning' while creating giant messes. now the house is too messy to have anyone over. he did say the cops would arrest me for being crazy it was so dirty. I didn't say anything but I can only imagine what they'd say to him. he's retired and just sits there in the mess. I'm the one working full time. but this is Not how I want to live. that 'sense of worth' you are sooo right.
genuinely some of the more helpful, straightforward, and ACTIONABLE advice I've heard for depression, while still being empathetic to the deep struggle
I have autism. Autistics often suffer from something called "autistic burnout" which can look a lot like depression. I can tell you how I deal with it when it comes to keeping up myself and my home. 1. I get a rough idea of what I would like to accomplish. 2. I prioritize the most important things I need to do 3. I take lots of breaks, which is essential for autistic burnout 4. Most importantly if I am not feeling up to completing a task I give myself a time block to work. This is an amazing way to get some stuff done so that it does not stack up to an undoable mess. For example I will decide I can work for an hour, and then I will start working, turn on a podcast that is approximately an hour long and I will work until it is over. If I still have energy I continue on. Even though I will not have completely cleaned my home I will have gotten a lot of things done, stuff like getting the trash out and the dishes washed. 5. I try not to leave a room without taking something with me that I can put away. In other words if I am going to the bathroom I will take my dirty clothes with me. If I am going to get a glass of water I take my dirty dishes to the sink. If I am going to the garage I take tools I have used back to where they belong. It is amazing how much you can get done just by taking one thing with you when you move around your house.
@@sarahloffler There is a site called "Embrace Autism" that has a battery of online tests. Many of them won't apply to highly masking adults, particularly women. I took those tests, if I had relied on those completely I would never have sought diagnosis because of how they pathologize autistic people and our traits. I began to read people who were autistic, watch channels on youtube created by autistic people, heard autistic people talk about their lives and I identified with them. Also, there were lots of traits that autistic kids have that I had, particularly the sensory issues. A diagnosis can be tricky to get. If you have to pay out of pocket for one it can be expensive. This is why most autistic people think that self identification is valid. Of course, there will be disagreement, but most autistic adults understand the challenges confronting those who would seek a diagnosis. If you want to seek a diagnosis after considering it you can talk to your doctor. If your doctor does not want to refer you (they are often under-educated about autism) I would talk to an organization in your region that helps people with developmental disorders. That is what I did, they helped me get a diagnosis.
My Mom was riding with me in my car the other day. She noticed a special key ring attached to my keys. She said, “ how long have you had that, I’ve seen it before?” I said, “ probably 28 years or so.” Mom asked “ Where did it come from?” I said, “ Well a patient was dying and was having a horrible night. His daughter was staying with him and I promised her I would stay on top of his pain during my night shift. I give him medication every 2 hours all night. He passed away later that day. She thanked me for helping him and gave me the key chain. You know the saying ‘if I could help just one person, my career would be made?’ Well I think back to the night often and feel like I made a difference.” She smiled. My mom has been having some issues with fatigue lately. We have addressed it medically as best we can… but I think it is depression. I’m sending her this video so Mack, you know you have helped at least one person. Thank you!!
This is wonderful. Please also get your mum checkes for sclerosis. I suffer from depression since my late teens. Including lack of motivation for anything and being permanently fatigued. My mom showed signs of this depressive fatigue years ago, would sleep a ton etc. Typical depression signs. She knows me and she knew whatever she had wasn't depression. She talked to her "house doctor" (I don't know if that exists in the English language, in Germany we call it "Hausarzt"), who also happens to specialise in psycho therapy. Well, after said doctor figured out it probably wasn't depression since my mum showed no other sign of it other than fatigue, they transferred her to Neurologist. Long story short, they found a sclerosis in her brain. One. At some point it developed into two etc. which made it "Multiple Sclerosis", MS.
@@ThorsShadow thank you for the sweet response Thor. She has horrible spinal stenosis requiring surgery in 2016 from C2-T2. The best guy in this part of the country did it, used bolts and plates and saved her life. I told her tonight over dinner I really think it is her spinal cord trying to get the job done with structural issues in Different places. I told her that everything was connected in some way to her spinal cord and it just wasn’t right…. At 80 with no pain we are dealing with it. She has terrible osteoporosis. We were so thankful he could repair her neck. She can walk with some difficulty using a cane. She can feed and pretty much dress herself. She can work in the garden a little. I booked a cruise with them for November. We are blessed and life is good. I just have to encourage her and remind her how lucky she is. For anyone reading this if you suddenly begin experiencing urinary incontinence please get check for MS. It is one of the first signs something might be wrong.
@@toddylu6869 Thank you for the response, Toddy. It looks to me like you and your family is making the very best of the situation. I think it's incredibly important, especially if you suffer from something as..."hindering" as our mums, that one never loses hope and the spark within oneself. When my grandma (may she rest in peace) started to actually get old in her mid-80s (that woman was insanely fit) she lay on her sofa for a long time, seemingly losing a lot of motivation. One beautiful spring day on easter, I opened the door to her terrasse. She heard the birds be happy outside and asked me to get her cane and help her get outside. We went outside and sat on the bank on her terrasse for quite a while. Just enjoying nature.
I've been fighting and struggling all my life to try to blend in and appear 'normal' , to keep my shit together, to tick all the boxes, to appease others. I work hard, I'm calm, I'm genial and pleasant around people. Inside, I'm screaming and howling to just be away from them. I know it sounds fucked up, but this includes my family - mother, husband, children etc. A few years ago a co-worker came to me and said some of the ladies were getting together for a special lunch. They'd already cleared it with the manager so that this core, intimate group could be off together for the afternoon. By default, due to my position and seniority, I was part of this group. These were my 'friends'. This co-worker, this lovely, empathetic women, after she'd told me about this said 'It's up to you. I know it's not your thing, and that's OK. We love you either way' This is the nicest, most meaningful thing anyone has ever said to me. To be acknowledged and recognized and appreciated like that was so liberating for me. It was the first time, the only time (because I mask very well) that I felt I'd been given permission to be myself.
August 17th, 2024. I've been watching your video's for a few months now Never realizing you have depression and anxiety too. Mine started from childhood trauma and will have to deal with it all my life. I'm 71 now. I've been sleeping a lot again. Last weekend at 2:00 in the afternoon got up and went outside and worked 2 hours both Saturday and Sunday in my flower garden. Thank you for sharing your trying times it's been very rewarding to me. You are very blessed in God's eyes and mine by turning your depression into helping so many people. THANK YOU OVER AND OVER!!!
I adore you Mack and your wife, your son Jason. I think one part of the many reasons your channel is so successful is because of your understanding and compassion for mental illness. So many of us suffer. We hide it, we try to function and you talk about it regularly on your channel. Anxiety attacks are so physical and so life altering for me and for you to understand this and explain it to viewers helps me to not feel so alone! Depression: your description was spot on! Oh and I've been so excited to see you finally rip up your carpet. This video was so awesome. Ok, so I have NO carpet in my entire house and I love how clean it is! I also suffer from extreme allergies so being able to fully clean the floors helps that too. I love watching your videos where you do improvements, especially to your own home because with all that you do, seeing you get to spend time on your own house makes me happy. Also, you are so funny! You make me laugh everytime and as you know when you suffer from depression, anxiety, ADHD, or autism this is a healing that no drugs can do. Laughing is a healing to the soul!!! So keep it up my friend, I'm glued and can't get enough of your channel. Keep focusing on what you're doing and you will have that gold plaque.
Last year I bought new door knobs to match the new color of my house … every day I saw them sitting in my garage and wanted to install them, but just couldn’t because I have had so much anxiety and depression I knew if there were any hiccups it would send me into a meltdown. I’ve been in therapy (not for the first time) since March and today I finally reached a point where I felt confident to install them. It felt good to have that project complete. I really needed that victory !
Omg. I totally understand that fear of starting something I MIGHT not be able to finish "well" or "right." The voice in my brain is quick and vicious with self-criticism. You might be able to walk away from another person of hang up a phone but you can't escape yourself. Its absolutely paralyzing. Glad you were able to move past your doubts and get the task done. Kudos to you because I know it's not easy.
As someone with seasonal depression, these are great tips, moose are very dense and perfect for blocking out light. Bonus tip- once you complete a task no matter the size, look at yourself in the mirror and praise yourself. You deserve it for taking any steps towards helping future you.
My house is filthy. My backyard unrecognizable. My animals are well fed but their cages are filthy. I lost several productive years to depression. I live alone and that may be a good thing. Maybe if I can train my brain to pick up a scrubber and a bucket I’ll start on the scuzzy wood floors. I stopped riding my motorcycle, stopped hiking, stopped creating art, and I don’t even like coming home from work because I have to face the mess. No medication here, I have to find a way out of this hell on my own. Thank you for being the voice in the dark
My husband and I each have a separate room for hobbies and as an office. While the rest of the flat is usually okayish even when I am depressed my room gets reeeeeeaaaaaally really messy. So sometimes I get so overwhelmed I cry when even thinking about it and I don’t enter the room any more if I can avoid it. So when we reached that point my husband usually helps me to get started with tidying up until it’s less overwhelming and I can continue to do. And this helps me so much and I am so grateful for his help
I've started watching movies while walking on my treadmill. I used to beat myself up to be "productive", rather than focus on feeling good. I have CPTSD from an OCPD stepmom who would devalue me while I was doing chores, like she was Mommie Dearest. So I essentially learned to hate myself while doing the right things. That has been a wild realization. Now it is lke I am teaching myself how to feel goodwhile doing things that are good for me.
Depression includes rumination. I learned it’s ok to be sad about an event. It was when I continually rode a trolley about how my mum treated me, I knew the difference. ❤️🇬🇧
Senior female here with symptoms like yours-- I don't get sad, I just have no energy and feel unmotivated, so I sit. I love all of your videos, but this one was extremely powerful and incredibly helpful. I've been listening to it over and over. It's like a balm to my soul, and yes, it got me moving. Thank you for all you do, you are an amazing human being.
I'm the same, I'm not sad or have to much in my mind but I sleep next to nothing which leaves me with no energy and certainly no motivation which then leaves me feeling guilty and more depressed because I hadn't got anything done. The only things which keep me fit and gets my brain in gear are my horses and dogs 😊
Same here I'm actually a very happy person I just don't have the energy I'm now working on exercise when I get routine down I will start another project ❤
Me having issues with cleaning sometimes mostly from poor health and my Autism and neurotypicals misplacing everything when I moved and it's annoying I still cannot find nothing.
Loved this video and shared it with loved ones. I’m doing the anxious, depressed senior thing as well. Need to get up and go find those tax documents from 2020. Breathe in, breathe out.
After a crazy breakdown, my therapist helping me to recognize and start accepting that i have ptsd, bi-polar disorder, and clinical depression said this when i told him how everyone is telling me how to pull myself up by my bootstraps: "You can't. Your bootstraps are broken." Decades later, i now see why he encouraged me to do one small thing a day and to get out for tiny walks. Your vids are so spot on, enlighting and informative. And what a blessing your son is. Wishing you and yours the best.
As a note: your previous vids helped me get my kitchen clean and stay clean, the bathroom is under control with an amazingly clean(er) toilet, and gaining the will to continue work on other cleaning and organizing projects.
Using that phrase that way broke my brain 😅 The background to the phrase "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps" is that it's literally impossible. Imagine trying to lift yourself up in the air by heaving on your shoelaces - you'd need to be able to levitate to accomplish it! We all need help from each other to get through.
I wish everyone suffering from depression/autism, etc. would watch your channel. It's so different, but so understanding and you give people really helpful tools to deal with it...and get a cleaned up household in the process. THANKS!
I am a teacher for 26 years. Sometimes i feel like i don't want to go. I just want to stay in bed because i don't want to deal with their bad behaviors. This career put many teachers out of action for depression.
I was in a really tough teaching position last year (my first year teaching) where the district didn't support me at all even though i was dealing with incredibly challenging behaviors. it was so bad I left after one year. This year I have an incredibly supportive district and team and I love going to work even though we have some major behaviors. It's crazy how much changes just by feeling like other people have your back.
As nurse I understand, but I went for myself and the coworkers whose lives would be more difficult if I stayed home and for those who didn’t intentionally act badly.
I'm a teacher too. I feel this down into my core. I teach middle school and though I'm pretty good about not letting their bad behaviors get to me, the sheer volume of behavior problems I have to deal with would drown even the most experienced educator. I try to be fair and compassionate, but I also remind myself that most of them will outgrow their misbehaviors by the time they get old enough to start working, or else real life will beat some obedience into them (and maybe a stint or two in the criminal justice system for the really recalcitrant ones). Though I have a wonderful admin and support network of fellow teachers, our school system is not set up to handle the kinds of issues we have to deal with, leaving us teachers to go it alone (I seriously need an aide just for all the bureaucratic BS that comes with the job). I'm in this line of work because I love sharing my knowledge with others and I'm in it for the long haul, but it's probably the hardest, most poorly paid job I've ever worked when taking into account the circumstances and workload.
It is ok to change careers. Teaching is very hard. I've been teaching for 30 years and each year it is harder because now parents aren't parenting and most kids are severely addicted to internet, social media, video games. Most kids have never been told no.
Thank you for giving the help people like us need by uploading this. Get 10 minutes of sunlight when you get up and let yourself breathe fully. It'll help your respitory system feel better, slightly improve your mood and energy levels. It's small but to fight depression, it's good momentum
I wish I'd lose my appetite when I'm depressed. I eat. Constantly. And my sleep patterns are just all over the place. I honestly don't know how to fight my depression. I've got my antidepression "tools", but that's just a holding pattern. I can't seem to gain ground on it. I've got arthritis in my back and hips (everywhere, really), and fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Changing my cleaning style to only clean small areas and giving myself permission to clean the house in stages over a number of days was a huge change for me. I really struggle with not letting it make me feel like a failure because I can't do it all in one go anymore.
I do lose my appetite when depressed and just so you know, it’s the same nightmare as binge eating, just different. As said in the video, please have empathy and compassion for yourself, the fact that you’re still cleaning your environment despite having those body and psychological issues is HUGE, I can’t imagine doing all that while being in great pain. I don’t know you but I’m proud of you, sincerely. You’re doing your best right now ❤️
Me too, to all of that actually. Thank you for making me feel a little bit less alone with your comment. I'm just an internet stranger but I'll keep fighting if you do ❤️
Maybe you have already done this but consider looking for tools to help. I sweep dust boards with a broom, mop the tub clean, do mirrors with a flat dry dust mop and then mirror cleaner with a squeegee on a pole, scrub tile with a scrub brush on a long stick, etc. I look for easy way to do things.
Yup. Yup. I found myself audibly agreeing with your commentary. I’m 75 now and a retired scientist. I love good research. I love confirmed facts. I have fought my depression all my life by being rather indignant that my own brain is lying to me. Hang in there, my friend.
@@moon-moth1 That is such a great idea! I also like using a dynamic to-do list (e.g., Google Keep) where I can click & drag things around as priorities change each moment of the day. That way I'm only looking at one or two tasks at a time rather than a whole list.
I did this years ago while I was going through counseling. I called it my "Did It" list. I started out just listing what I had done. Soon I began recording things in two columns; the first was listing what I had done; the second was what that told me about myself. For example, "took mom to her doctor appointment"; "I'm a good, conscientious caregiver.". Or, "did three loads of laundry"; "I manage a household well.". Even though I am NOT known for managing a household well overall, I did do it well with that particular job. It really encouraged me and lifted my spirits. It helped me understand that I don't have to be perfect (or even close to perfect). I still get a surprising amount done, and all of it speaks well of me.😊😊😊❤️❤️❤️
I've been a silent viewer for a couple months silently struggling with depression and keeping my house tidy. I watch your videos to better understand hoarding and also help myself not get there. The way you never shame viewers/clients is what keeps me watching and cleaning my house. You keep me motivated and i'm so thankful for channels like yours.
My husband and I were 72 when we decided to rip up all the carpet in our 1200 square foot home and install vinyl plank flooring. Just the two of us. He has PTSD and I have BPD, depression, and who knows what else. I can't stand anything out of place. To make a long story short, that floor thing was a bloody, two-year-long nightmare! On top of all that, we had a car wreck the week we started demolition. Buck and I fought a lot, I bawled a lot, and the dogs thought we had lost our ever freakn' minds! Weeks into the project, my ADHD brain decided to switch gears and I refinished a cedar chest, the kitchen cabinets, and blanket chest! When we finally got back to the floors, some of the sub flooring was so pee-stained and water damaged, we had to cut out and replace, which was a nightmare in itself. Now, 5 years later, I still haven't adjusted to the floors. I don't like them at all. My house doesn't feel like my house anymore. I don't feel like myself anymore. But the carpets were so bad, and we were so broke, that we had no other choice but to ignore it or do it ourselves. Buck and I are still married, we still love each other, and I decided not to sign myself into a nursing home!
What an inspiring story! Through all that, you two found the mental AND physical strength to get things accomplished. Don’t lose that fire that forces you to push yourself! 💜
Rely on the Lord each day to see you all through life's difficulties. Entrust your lives to Him. Have put you all on my prayer list. Think of others in terrible circumstances right now. Thank God for what you have. We have a roof over our heads and food in the pantry. Praise the Lord always.
My depression battle today was to turn on this video. It was hard, I didn’t want lights or sounds or to get up and get my iPad, I wanted to lay there for the next three hours. But I knew about the “do the opposite” concept, so I found this video and turned it on. I’m so happy I did, thank you for sharing! With the video on, I found that I still wanted to lie there, but I also kind of wanted to make food, since I’m in the habit of watching something to make food prep easier… so I made a simple meal. I appreciate you fighting not just your depression, but helping everyone else fight theirs, too. ❤
So nice that despite your struggles Mack you thought of Emily first and worked to makeover your home while she was away. What a loving thing and how exciting for her after having her medical challenges this last year. Much respect.
I know it sounds weird, but Im so glad you mentioned you've had chronic depression since you were a child. I feel the same way. All through my life, people gave me the impression that the depression was temporary and that you can take medication and be better. Ive NEVER felt that way. Ive always believed that if I came off my meds, I would get worse again. So Ive never been one of those people that think they dont need meds anymore. Im quite happy to stay on them for ever. I never knew what I had in my early 20s. No one could tell me. I found it difficult to articulate what was going on with me. The early years were hell and also humiliating.
My heart goes out for you. My last depression episode, probably the worst I have ever had. I couldn't make myself do anything! I walked by dirty dishes and I would "you need to do those dishes" and myself would say back to me "No, I don't" I slept on my bed with no sheets for a couple of months. Just couldn't make myself. But the day I admitted out loud that I didn't care if I ever saw my son again,I got scared. Increased my depression medicine. Since that time, I have had a stroke and have kept a positive attitude because I can't afford to go by that dark place.
Mack you explain depression really well. The battle against rolling over and going back to sleep is so real. I have a voice always warning me against sleeping I fear I will never get up again. Self-sabotage is strong during depression. Thank you for all you do and sharing your life with us❤
Finally found a quote worthy of my dating profile, "In my world and in my community empathy is not an option, it's a requirement and if you haven't learned that yet Billy Madison your ass back to school and start over."
Aaagh I'm sorry but this is becoming a pet peeve of mine. What you're essentially saying is 'You MUST have empathy!' meanwhile you're giving none of it. You're confronting someone about a supposed lack of empathy instead of inviting them into sharing empathy. It's pointing a finger, and that is. not. empathetic. The only thing it does is make people defensive, than antagonized towards you. I love the idea that you want to share empathy, but that isn't something others do. It's something you do, and others learn from you.
Wow, this is such a fantastic video on transforming chaotic spaces into clean, organized homes! As someone who works in the cleaning industry, I'll be sharing this with my clients to inspire them. I always enjoy your content, but this one really stands out. Thank you for all the hard work you put into these videos! 👍❤
You really understand depression from the inside out, and your words are wise and helpful. I love the way you and Jason have each other's backs. I also love what you did with your home to surprise your wife. This is what families are supposed to do for each other, and this is what real men should be modeling for younger men to learn.
Thank you! You put into words what I have trouble explaining to people who do not have depression. There are so many hateful comments out there. Before my depression, I was able to get up go to work, take care of five kids, keep the house clean keep the kids clean and fed. That was about 10 to 15 years ago and now I struggle to get up and feed myself.
I know this video is several months old, but I had to stop everything. I’m doing and thank you. I’m so sorry about your dog. I had a traumatic dog incident that added to my depression, and it is unimaginably sad. I’m a woman, but I relate to your depression. Mine manifests the way yours does, and if I had stayed in bed as I wanted to, I may never have seen this. I haven’t lived near family for well over 25 years. I referred to myself as active and isolated. I cannot handle my home on my own, but shame is a barrier to getting help and lack of income is the other. I watched one of your videos last night, and, one of my sinks is now clean for the first time in months - thanks to you. Please keep doing what you do, and I trust that you will be blessed beyond imagination.
I set a 15 minute timer and clean when I feel like life is too hard. I also watch your videos ,other cleaning or hoarders to motivate myself to set the timer. Most times I hit repeat but it helps me get up and forces me to start. You are enough and you are valuable. Thanks for posting!!
At first I thought this was just a cleaning channel, but you have helped me so much not only with my ADHD/Autism/Depression related untidiness, but all symptoms related to them. This is so much more than a cleaning channel. Thank you forever!
My mom had depression since i was a little girl... the last 2 years she suffered from dementia and i cared of her 24/7... my hole life was filled with taking care of her... she passed away 2 months ago and now my life is empty... sometimes i have the feeling of loosing the reason for living... and mack said it so right, sometimes only existing is too much to handle... but i have a husband, he is the reason that i do my housework every day, cook every day, tidy up every day... so i think, my form of "depression" will be healed by time... the key is to go on and on and on and never give up! 💪💪💪
Cathy in Fort Wayne here. Dear Mud, I am too, suffering with depression due to lifelong trauma/PTSD. Everything you said is spot on. Cleaning the house does help, even if it's one small area a day. Instant gratification and pride. Your narration style makes me smile. Well done, and thank you. Also, Jason is a rock star!
🎉 you hit it out of the park on this one, Mack. Your ability to communicate and educate about very tough subjects - while still finding humor - is remarkable. My grandmother always said she liked cleaning b/c she could ‘see where she’d been’. Thanks for your continued content.
I truly hope you are a sponsor for some group that choose to self-medicate to cope with the over whelming feelings, fears, pressure and/or demands of this life. You truly are something special.
Incredible words of wisdom! I’ve fought depression since 14 years old. I’m now 73 and still learning how to successfully battle this disease! I’m keeping your post on the top of my ‘stack’ labeled “Inspiration for when I’m frozen”! Thank you for being so honest! May we all fight the good fight!
I, too, suffer from depression. Sometimes I have to say to myself, “ Ok, just go put in one load of laundry “ or “just go wash ten dishes then you can stop “. But, like you said, you just gotta get up & move a little. Baby steps are key. Doing some small productive job, calling or talking to someone you love, playing music, or watching one of your videos, that’s the way to help pull yourself out of it. Your advice is great❣️❣️
How many other people did this video make cry? YOU GET IT!!! You understand. A friend just sent me a text, saying that talking about my pain and depression doesn't help anything. Nothing matters is how I feel. So, I get that others don't want to hear me gripe, but damn, every minute of everyday is a struggle. I realize that EVERYONE is dealing with something. I wish I didn't feel like I do. Taking from a comment here, it's not that I don't want to live, I just don't want to live like this.
As someone who has bipolar disorder and suffered with depression my entire life. I understand where you are coming from. I am a woman and I actually feel the depression more like you. I shut down and isolate. I don't want to do anything but I force myself to do something. I just went through a major, life changing event that was extremely traumatic and am dealing with depression right now. I am working hard every day to push myself to do a little more than I did the day before. And CONGRATULATIONS on being a grandparent!
I didn't realize I was depressed until Feb 23 when the love of my life suddenly passed. Then realized I've been in depression survival most of my life. Didn't know what it met . But I do what you do , I fight it every day. I pray for guidance, stamina energy, will power and love myself every day. I'm not a quitter and I'm not starting now..
Fighting depression is such a well-put phrase. A lot of advice for mentally ill people comes down to letting yourself rest but for I think it's prone to misinterpretation and while watching this video I had an epiphany that sleeping 12h every day is not really working out for me. Thanks
Love that you do so much to surprise your wife.She's a lucky lady! Thank you for sharing your struggles and your victories. You make it more understandable and real.
I love your videos but sometimes I think you missed your calling. You are so inciteful regarding depression, I think you could have been a great psychologist. On the other hand, I know you’re helping thousands of people through your videos!!!! I know you’re helping me to understand and help my son. Thank you! 💕
I needed this video more than I can say. In the past few years, I’ve lost my mother, my father-in-law, my oldest child, and one week ago, my best friend (he was a dog, and we fought cancer together for the past six months.) I can hardly make myself get out of bed to brush my own damn teeth anymore. I’m only 10 minutes in, but had to pause to cry because… I really needed this video. Prayers for your precious pup to pass in peace. ❤
I'm so so sorry for your losses. I can't imagine losing a child. Sending you big psychic hugs. I recently lost my sister, a very dear friend, and my constant companion and bestie (yep - my dog). It felt like all my sisters (actual and soul) got taken away. It can be so hard to even exist. I love what he says about just putting your feet on the floor.
I just want to say to everyone here, you bunch of people are simply amazing, and truly give me hope in a world where everyone seems angry and downright MEAN! Reading your comments tells me how many caring, accepting, thoughtful people that are around me. We may struggle with our own issues, but we aren’t demolishing others to do it. We are looking inward, trying to understand ourselves and those we love. And proud to be a part of Mack’s community! And I do believe these things are exactly WHY his channel has grown by leaps and bounds-and why I am certain he’ll reach his goal and beyond! I hope you all have a great weekend- you lot deserve it and more! Take care!
I'm also thankful for this community, this support group and cheer squad! Good people like Mack attract good people, so this is right where I want to be. Hope you're having a lovely weekend!
What works best for me is to start very small tasks as you suggested. Many years ago when my depression was extremely bad, the bathroom mirror might be one of my tasks and that would be it. Later I would go back and do the bathroom sink, later yet, I would do the counter... Now I can do the sink, counter, & mirror in one go, toilet, floor, & trash in another. I'm really glad you put this video up because it makes me look back to when I was actually doing worse and encourages me that I am capable of more now, as little as that might be. A few minutes into this video, it kicked my butt into gear and I got a little bit done. After resting for a bit, I got up and did the dishes and made myself some eggs. I know that I feel better once I get started. The hardest step is the first one. Once I get on a roll, every time I get up to go to the bathroom, I do a small task. The problem I'm having now, is when I have two or three days like that, I end up burnt out and unable to do anything. I often don't recognize my limits, just as I don't recognize the symptoms & signs of a decline. Having gone through a few courses through mental health organizations, I've started to recognize WHAT the signs are, but I still do not see them when I'm in it until it's too late. I've asked people around me to let me know when they see me having those symptoms, but no one does. Does anyone have any suggestions for that? Also, I knew in the past that you struggled with autism, but not with depression and anxiety which is what I deal with. Seeing today that you also struggle with that on top of the other one is what kicked me into gear today. Thank you for this & all that you do! Also, thank you for the reminder to be patient and compassionate with others. It can't be said enough.
Thank you. Wonderful inspiration for me. My 85 year old husband, took a tumble early in the week. Broke his hip. He is now in temporary rehab. I woke up to this. I turned my attitude into towards, Oh I can approach my depression in a totally different situation. I will but this on a play list. I will watch and listen to this over and over. Depression, adhd,ptsd,and autism, seems to all go hand in hand, for some people. I started watching your channel for helping me organize, clean, then I realized it turned into much more of a helpful channel, not only about hdhd, and cleaning. ❤ ❤ 👊
My twins are autistic and a depressive episode would mess up their lives so I could never have a breakdown, though I certainly have empathy for those who succumb to one. But many times, I would be active in little things like getting new kitchen cabinent doorknobs or planting veggies. I started writing and never could have guessed I would have a movie and book deal. Miracle Run. There’s always hope, transform yourself, it starts with getting out of bed, and maybe painting your bathroom purple.❤
Please don't imply that having a nervous breakdown is a choice. I didn't choose to have a breakdown. It happened because I kept pushing through, and 3 years later, im still trying to get better after going through a lifetimes worth of major life issues in the space of a decade.
Congratulations on the incoming daughter and granddaughter! It's WONDERFUL that so many people were generous and kind to your family like you are to others' families. ❤
Currently suffering from an intractable migraine that's triggered another depressive episode (lifelong major depressive disorder and CPTSD here). While I know that will limit the amount of activity I can do, your videos have been inspiring little project ideas I can take on during the times when the pain is more tolerable. I'm sorry to hear you also experience depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. It's admirable how you push yourself through - you found another way to fight depression by choosing this specifically to narrate! Your empathy and compassion are so refreshing. Also so sorry to hear about your doggie.
Migraines etc definitely make it so much harder and more complicated on top of everything else. As someone with similar issues, I hope you and everyone else who can relate to your comment can find some relief and improvement
I enjoy the deadpan humor here so much. I think another important factor in fighting depression is environment. Cleaning your environment like what we see here, or relocating from an environment that's toxic to one that isn't, can make a massive difference. I'm doing the latter, and just having that to look forward to is, for me, a massive weight lifted.
During the worst of my depression, I felt like I was a giant boulder sitting on a completely flat piece of land and I could not get moving at all. It was so incredibly hard to get the momentum rolling. Luckily, that’s about a year behind me now. But, Mack, thank you for these videos and your advice. You are much appreciated. 👍👍
Ty again for your wisdom and compassion. People really do misunderstand depression. No. You can’t wish it away no more than you can wish the moose off your counter. I encourage you to reframe battles as challenges to be met and mastered. Amen. 🇬🇧
I got emotional when you started painting the bathroom purple when you don't like the color, and in a major room in the house where you'll always be seeing it! That's so sweet! Like you said, that's love.
a moose bit my sister once
Well I sure hope she's ok
my niece done got bit by a copperhead
Was it 'curtains" for the moose after that?....
She shouldn't have been carving her initials on it!
møøse bites Kan be pretti nasti...
I tell myself "Okay, even if I'm still depressed when I've finished this thing, at least I'll be depressed with clean socks/scooped litter/groceries in the fridge." And having those things WILL help me feel a little better.
Totally agree. I look at it as I can be depressed and get something done or I can be depressed and get nothing done, so I always push myself to do what little I can. And then, when I get some time that I do feel able to do something, I can go do something fun guilt-free, because I already did the chores earlier. Pushing myself when I don't want to means I get to make the most of my better moments.
I feel the same, my depression turns to anger when I let myself down with letting messes go, it always helps to scoop the litter, and have some clean washing rather than smelling cat poop and dirty socks 😂
Done that recently. Being depressed with a clean floor was indeed a lot better.
Oh, I really like that.
I ❤ this
Mack, I'm a psychologist and this is such a great video on what psychologists call "behavior activation" that I'm keeping this to share with patients. I enjoy you normally but this video is outstanding. Thanks for what you do.
I'm going to give his suggestions a try. Going though depression for 5 months straight is horrible!
I’m a licensed therapist and I am also going to share this video with clients.
@@KarenAnne1965 hi dear
Can you help me as therapist please?
I want to understand my situation from another side
Not only from my social and environment situation .
Hey, I'm certainly not a psychologist, but this man can make some awesome videos that touch me and a lot of other people! I also have chronic depression and anxiety and it is so hard to find someone that puts it into perspective like Mack does! ❤❤
@@imanezema5550it's unethical for a therapist to treat someone who isn't a patient..
"Empathy is not an option; it's a requirement." I love that quote!!!
I was floored by this. Ohh, how I wish more people understood that. Thanks. So much. I'm learning a lot from your content, but this might be the most healing and important of the bunch. I've never been so grateful for a pee soaked carpet in my life.
That sentence really moved me !!!!
I remember during a live chat someone started talking crap about people on assistance & Mac & Emily both said "NO SIR, we don't do that here". ❤
Can someone who lacks empathy learn to be more empathetic?
Mack I think this requires a T-shirt.
"I can do anything for 10 minutes" is a mantra I keep close to my heart when my mental illnesses are acting up.
I can study for 10 minutes. I can clean for 10 minutes. I can cook a 10-minute meal. You would be shocked how much you can do in that short of a time. And sometimes, I even feel strong enough to do _another_ 10 minutes. And maybe another after that!
You just have to keep repeating that one phrase to yourself, over and over, until your timer goes off.
A complete stranger makes a video and talks about depression. I will never meet this stranger in person, but he speaks from my soul. Can you imagine how many people you are helping with your words? Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
♥
@@ittt6339 ❤️
🩵
😊😊😊
❤❤❤
When i had depression, i finally realized it’s not that i don’t want to live, but that i don’t want to live like this. 🙂
Yes!
Yup.
This has been a big aha moment for me, too.
Thanks for sharing this :)
There is no cure for depression so you never had it
I’m a woman and I don’t always manage the “get out of bed” thing. I lay in bed and think about how worthless I am and useless and how it would have been better to not be a waste of space and how hopeless I feel. My husband does not understand so I have given up on him understanding or empathizing (after almost 40 years of marriage). So listening to you today I got up out of my recliner and dusted and started cleaning my blinds. I will need to enlist my husband’s help to get them down for me. Tomorrow vacuuming will be my goal.
I was very impressed by this comment, I just wanted to say that. I’m sorry you’ve had to give up on your husband empathising. It’s not easy to fight to be understood without a good response and then keep getting out of bed feeling wonderful every morning. Or even half of the mornings.
I'm proud of you for cleaning your blinds. I understand the "not wanting to get out of the bed" thing. I often spend an entire Saturday just laying in bed call my scrolling on my phone, because it seems pointless to try to overcome the overwhelm of my to do list. Thank God I have a job, or I'd be absolutely screwed.
Something that might help you that has helped me, is get cute little tools that make you want to use them. I found this old antique duster that is adorable and it in turns makes me want to actually use it, which encourages me to actually dust... Normally it's something I have to remind myself to get to but when I see my duster I now get excited to use it
Yes!!!! You freaking rock, girl!! That hubby of yours is gonna have to suck it up. Show him this video 😂 I love you, keep going!!!!! ❤️
Kudos to you for realizing you are in charge of your own happiness. I was expecting a "you need to leave him if he doesn't make you feel like the queen you are" BS. You are a good woman, and keep up the good fight! You got this!
I'm a guy who deals with bipolar disorder, and it's honestly really fucking hard. I want you to know that the work you do has actively changed my life. A big part of bipolar is trying to stick to medication when depressed- a common issue is that when we get depressed, we're tempted to stop medicating in hopes of becoming manic since it's at least not depression. I'm coming out of the other end of a multi-week depression.
At some point, I was falling into a severe low and was even becoming a little disassociated. But while dragging myself through my apartment, I grabbed my pills and whispered to myself "You like it when I take you, medicine? Yeah I love it, Sebastian!" In your voice under my breath. The little laugh I gave myself doing that meant I had just enough energy to eat something before I got back into bed. Eating a bit of food meant I actually slept better rather than restlessly, and could get up the next morning and took a bath to feel like a person again.
The moose coming into the commentary from the middle of nowhere, the Johnny from Minnesota jokes, they really do help! I am glad you found a way to use them and help yourself. I'm so happy for you!
We are praying for you on that journey
Look into the keto or carnivore diet for helping with depression
Depression is your bully to fight, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring a friend to the brawl.
You’re a good friend.
Well said
I'm screenshotting this 🤗 🥰
Kick fuck out of your way ....🥰
Words to live by! 💗👍
Totally. Well said 👏
Sometimes just taking a shower or brushing teeth makes a big difference in how you feel. Feeling clean is so important to mental health.
Exactly! I did the same thing! I couldn't go have my tea and toast until I washed and put on clean clothes! 😊
I agree. A shower is like magic. Feels so good.
I saw a really good one: anything worth doing is worth half assing. Like if you don't have it to take a shower, try washcloth wipe down or just changing your clothes.
@Fred: Why? Why do you feel the need to not only bring up religion, but bash people’s beliefs all in one go? I hope Mack sees your comment and bans you because although most of us on here love some good sarcasm, sarcasm with the goal of hurting others is wrong, especially on here. Channels like this are here to help people heal, and you’re just trying to cause pain.
@@xradeloxmaybe he's depressed more than us, unhappy people say mean things IMHO
After an accident landed me in a wheelchair for months, I fought depression by scooching around on my butt cleaning & repainting all the baseboards in my house. A neighbor girl with purple hair came over everyday to eat lunch together while we watched HGTV. She also helped me declutter. She made $$ & I had company & projects. My cat Gigi loved riding in my lap around the house in that wheelchair. Thx for this awesome video & best wishes with spending quality time with your son & your aging dog.
Holy cow, you are my hero.
Just the mental image of Gigi on your lap as you're rolling around the house is good enough to cure my depression for today, thanks!
This brought tears to my eyes. Talk about a FIGHTER! You found the joy.
Wow you inspire me
Thank you for this! I’m a late-diagnosed autist - at almost 81. Now, a year later, I’ve been decluttering my condo and feeling challenged about completing it.
Your video helps me to see that I need a body double, even someone I hire, to help me stay focused.
I love your self-talk, about getting started, and staying the course. The three-foot area, chill, then do another three-foot area appeals to me.
Your mentioning that empathy is NECESSARY goes double for me, as my self-talk has had to transition from nasty to nice over decades.
Such a mind-blowing attitude toward depression! Action!
Thanks, again!
I’m a woman, and my symptoms are like yours. No sadness, no feelings of worthlessness, just unbelievable fatigue. Thank you for this video!
I went thru this several years ago during COVID. The struggle is real. 😢
Sort of like living in the sadness cotton ball
Idk how to describe it
Have you checked your vitamins levels? Especially B and D?
I am right there with you🌻✌👍
As someone mentioned, vitamin and mineral supplements are life in this case! The fatigue is debilitating. Take a vitamin mineral combination with 100% juice and give it about 30 days to feel the results.
My MIL has suggested to me that instead of making a 'To Do" list, make a "DONE" list to remind yourself what you accomplished in the day. That way you aren't looking at losses, but small accomplishments. Also, my husband is a veteran that suffers from anxiety and depression. There are days where he is constantly stuck in his head about how poorly he is doing and it is so hard to watch. Big moose hugs to you and your family for pushing through these illnesses ❤
Hi Andrea, please look into EMDR therapy for PTSD - it’s not that common, but it’s gaining popularity because it seems to be pretty effective for treatment of veterans with PTSD and other people who have anxiety and depression, and cannot get “unstuck“. Best wishes for your husband and you and thank you for his service and for both of your sacrifice.
A "TO DO" list is important bc it helps clarify and organize what needs to be done. The satisfying DONE part is when you cross off....even one item!
I've tried that, actually. It does help. It's so easy to feel like I haven't accomplished anything, especially when I'm struggling. The "done" list works wonders.
I too made a DONE list before. It really helps and encourages. I had forgotten about the DONE LIST. Thank you for the reminder.
I do a combo.
I add the barebones needs at my worst to a to do (like "eat"), and then I also add what I got done that might not have been on the list.
Like maybe some sort of physical activation was on my to do and didn't get done, but I did get the dishes done.
Dishes are now added to list and crossed out.
Reminds me that even if I didn't get the shit I planned done, I did make sure eating will be easier tomorrow.
Or maybe my hair is still dirty but I did get food to feed myself.
"Action leads to motivation, not the other way round." and "anything worth doing, is worth doing half assed. at least then it's half done instead of not done at all!" amongst the best words of wisdom from a therapist I've gotten for getting things done through depressive episodes
"Aything worth doing, is worth doing half assed" is great!
It warmed my heart to hear you describe your partnership with your son, even though you pay him (nice!), it’s nice to know that you have him in your life.
@@sternentigerkatzeYeah.. haha that's so great. Will need to use that for my recovering perfectionist tendencies..😅
Good one. "Anything worth doing is worth doing well" is one of the most destructive adages ever. I really like "Anything worth doing is worth doing half-assed." I can DO that!
This usually works, but it's the worst feeling when action doesn't lead to motivation. I remember forcing myself to exercise in order to get some endorphins and my blood pumping, but I felt like I was gonna fall asleep during it and I felt no different afterwards. Just empty. 😣
I have ADHD and chronic, debilitating depression. Watching your channel is like therapy for me. I can't express how much better I feel after listening to you. People that don't have these problems just can't understand. I'm trying so hard to change. Thank you so much for sharing your story. ❤
Hang on, Suzanne! We're all in this together! 😊
Right there with you... We can do it, we can keep going 💪 Don't give up
@@Suzanne1999 try one wee square at a time 👍
Please get help. It might take a few tries to find the right help but please do that. Just that. It is the one thing I have learned myself and see in others as well - there are things that are too hard to deal with alone. You need help and there always is help it just might not be easy to find but keep looking. If one therapist or method or medication or book doesn't help it doesn't mean you can't be helped. It means that thing wasn't it. ❤
Thank you for your channel.
I'm first time to view. I do however have a BIG Question. If you're married why isn't your home organized it looks like you live alone and your wife has the mental freedom to take a vacation. Does she suffer from an illness also? Just asking because I'm confused.😮
Currently living in a pigsty of my own making, paralysed by PTSD and depression and homesickness, but "moose are notoriously opaque" made me smile ❤
That's very sad to hear, but it's good you were given a reason to smile. I look for that sort of thing as often as I can. I wish I could say every day, but it's quality not quantity. I watched this guy's video just a little while ago and thought "you know it would be good to hear this record or straighten up a few things...sort out my laundry for tomorrow...but I don't know if I could wear a tee-shirt with my own face on it. 😆😆😆 Even in the best of times, I'm still quite modest.
Mama Duck, please give yourself grace and time. Sometimes fighting is just getting up in the morning. You will be in my prayers. If you are not into the prayer thing, please accept it as a gesture of goodwill ❤
3 square foot area at a time. That's all you have to do. Just one per day. :)
I've been there, and it's true - moose are terrible window dressing. Also, I believe in you. It will get better.
Rooting for you!!!
What helps me I learned from KC Davis: take care of tomorrow. Tomorrow only needs one clean outfit, a few clean dishes, and somewhere to sit. Keep taking care of tomorrow.
Thank you for sharing this.
and if you can: tomorrow and then some
the only thing i do extra to that is taking care of things that start to mold. If i feel like i want to clean one thing its the moldy stuff, because that will get ten times worse really fast and might actually be a health threat at some point
dont forget to wear a good pair of shoes for that outfit..
Sometimes I can only prioritize by smelliest job first. If you get all kinds of stuff done but can still smell the cat box or garbage, you feel defeated.
Psychotherapist here. Depression can be a killer. It’s helpful to think of it in the terms you outlined, like you are fighting a war with an enemy. It’s important to fight it, with the tools you described. Force yourself to do something, stay physically and mentally active.
The way I do it is "pick a direction and go that way". Just do Something, anything, because then you have started. That's worth a pat on the back.
I am grieving the sudden & tragic loss of my 23 year old son. And all I want to do is sleep & never leave the house. I dont think I can survive this. Im extremely exhausted. I was diagnosed with ptsd, panic attacks & anxiety due to the way I lost him. He was silent. No warning. He told me everything! Or so I thought. He was here & then he was gone. Why didn’t he say something to me?! Why didn’t I know? A mother should know! I couldn’t save him! I wish I could have saved him! I would die for him! I replay it in my head almost daily. I have so many questions & no answers. Did I do something wrong? What could I have done better?! Why didn’t I know?! I dont know how to move forward. I can barely get through each day. I dont know what to do. The night his heart stopped beating, I died that night too. I am not the same person who loved to make people laugh. I’m just not her anymore. There is no joy without sadness. Because the only time I’m happy is when I’m with his older siblings. But even then I am very sad because of his absence. He never missed a family function, ever. He is such a sweet boy. My golden soul that everyone loves. I miss him with every beat of my heart! I loved him his whole life & I will miss him for the rest of mine, with every painful breath I take. I know he’s ok. But I’m not. And I dont know how to be. Yet here I am, watching a video to help motivate me. I dont know if anything can help me. My soul is truly shattered. I just want my son back. A mother should never bury her child. I am now Vilomah! And I am a twice suicide survivor. Losing a child will be the death of me. And losing him the way that I did makes it all so much worse. I am so lost. I just want my son to come home! 💛🕊️
Thank you for sharing this message. I can relate.
@@DianaMarie23051 I’m very sorry for your loss. Grief can be all consuming. And there’s no answers to some of your questions. I hope you seek some counseling to help you. Be kind to yourself and be there for your children the best you can. Your son would want you to go on.
@@DianaMarie23051I’m just here wanting to send you, a perfect stranger, love and support. I’m so very, very sorry for your loss. I went through (still am) something very similar, but with my best friend who I found... I can’t even imagine going through it with a child… It’s been almost 9 years in my case but it still feels like yesterday in a lot of ways.
I wish I had answers to your questions. I had the same questions and I’ve gradually come to accept that they’ll never be answered. I beat myself up for so many years asking those questions over and over and over again and it took a huge toll on my mental health and changed me forever.
I saw a quote once that said “Grievers use a very simple calendar. Before and after.”
I like that quote because it expresses the stark delineation in time, and also that there IS STILL an after (even though I know it doesn’t feel that way right now). It’s a VERY different ‘after’ but… I’m struggling to find the right words… we do still exist. And we still have others in our life that exist and that we care for. So we go on by crying when we need to, learning to ignore the bullying voice in our head that beats us up, taking the smallest of baby steps, seeking therapy/free support groups, etc. until the ‘after’ gradually becomes the present and we’re no longer reliving every moment in the pain of the past. I still have flashbacks after 9 years but I can finally move past them more quickly and not let them destroy me. I don’t know if any of this makes sense or helps at all. I just want you to know that you’re not alone, your feelings are valid, and there is hope. No matter how long it takes you to find it in your own way and at your own pace. Please take good care of yourself on this difficult journey.
I listened / watched this while taking one step at a time. I cleaned my ENTIRE house, which is a much bigger thing than it sounds like.
My favorite trick is to set a timer for 10 minutes. For that 10 minutes, I usually do things to make the house smell good and reduce visual clutter. I open a window, light a stick of incense, take out the trash, make the bed, and put dishes in a sink of soapy water. After the 10 minutes is up, I can sit down again with no recriminations. Sometimes I do sit down, sometimes I keep going. There is a street fair in my area this weekend and I'm using up a lot of mental energy fighting with myself on if I'll go or not. I know I need to spend some time around people, so I'll do my best to make myself go. We're all in this together, so let's keep fighting!
Sounds like the Tidy Tango from That Awkward Mom keep the faith 😘🌲
I hope you have a good day...
ADHD challenges ❤ them!
I do the same trick but with a 5 minute timer. I always start with 5 minutes. Sometimes after several rounds I can go longer other days not but it does help to break down the tasks into small chunks. You feel better but without taxing yourself. If I absolutely force myself to work all day when I’m depressed a lot of times I’ll rebound and become more depressed or sick. The depression and my body fight back.
Did you feel like you were in a void? Just nothing there…everything is muted?
26:02 "it's your bully to fight but it doesn't mean you can't bring a friend to the brawl" is one of the hardest lines I've ever heard across all media
This needs to be said more often. I have the same things he has and I've had mental help for close to 20 years. That statement is something I wish I had heard 20 years ago.
Your words, "if you're a full grown adult who still thinks this way and still reacts this way to other people who are suffering It's not the world that needs to change, it's you!"
Bravo!!!
Empathy is NOT an option!!
I appreciate your use of this platform to help educate others
Yep. I just told my therapist that depression is like, I'm driving along and everything is going along fine and suddenly my car falls into a hole the exact size of my car, so I can't go forward, backward, get out of the car, nobody knows I'm there...I guess I'm not going anywhere for awhile...almost 10 years. And I love your 'small, easy to reach, victories'...I was dragging myself out to water the garden everyday, and one day I saw a pair of scissors on the picnic table. Game changer. I stopped watering and pulled a weed [literally, just one weed]. I clipped a berry vine out of the pathway. The next week, I snagged the clippers and cut some dead stuff off some plants. It looked great.
I've been putting the kettle of water on to boil for tea or coffee. Sometimes I even make myself some. While it's coming to the boil, if I see some clean dishes in the dish drain that looks carelessly stacked, I'll put them away. I've gotten the whole dish drain emptied at times, before the water comes to the boil. Mind blowing. The one thing I can not do to myself [my own self imposed rule] is to sit and think about the stuff that needs doing. What I've been doing instead is, if something looks disturbing to my eye repeatedly, and is in my trajectory every day, I will make a note to myself of a tool or whatnot that would be helpful in doing 'a little something' to it. And the day I remember my note, I set the tool or whatever in my path. Then one day without warning I'm doing 'a little something' - and sometimes if my energy is there, 'a lot of something' - to it. I'm hoping this becomes 'a thing'.
This so absolutely incredible. The narration is about 100,000 dollars worth of personal therapy for free. Thank you so much for this video. YOU GET IT. You get it.
nailed it, my thoughts 110% xx
“You’re worth a google search, man.” Mack, you are a treasure.
Wife is going to be surprised. Awesome work you two! ♥️♥️👍👍
Thank you, Mack.
That line shook me to my core.
I had a friend over today who helped me build a shoe rack and organize my kitchen. Literally haven't felt this normal in months!
I always fantasize about having someone to help me with my tasks! It would energize me so much and be fun! But I know everyone has their own tasks to do. What a great friend you have!
I shared this with a couple friends who, like me, are autistic and fight depression. I keep rewatching it, it makes me cry, you are so helpful and empathetic.
I have been a hoarder once. Clutter and hoarding have ruined my 20s and have caused 30K debt, a severe burnout and homelessness. But after homelessness a lot of things have changed for the better. I've developed structural habits and rituals that keep it simple to clean the place up once needed. Now my home is clean and tidy at all times and organized as never before. I have a healthy food stock. My backyard is sterile, tight grass with lush growing plants and shrubs. I've learned that cleaning and gardening are ways to fight depression.
My roommates destroyed my kitchen after I stopped cleaning up after them and I got really depressed and started hoarding after that. This year I'm finally getilting my house cleaned up. I'm glad to see it's possible to recover!
Wow! Amazing! You are the comeback kid 🙂 from homelessness to where you are now, what a journey. Best wishes.
Thank you for sharing 🙏🏽😊.
@@mx.heavenly4767back in the hoarding days I also said "This year", and it resulted in another year of hoarding. You really have to take the step to get out the chaos, before it gets too overwhelming, and too moldy in the kitchen and the fridge. Please have the empathy for yourself to do it now, instead of festering another year in a hoarding for something that is not your fault. Don't think, just bag it up, and get it out. I promise you, the more you do that, the more result you will have. See the bags as parts of the depression.
It's another step to keep it up and develop your structure, by keeping yourself and your home clean. Whatever the circumstance. Good luck with clearing up. 👍
@@mx.heavenly4767
Shame on your roommates. They were lazy and obviously don't care about anyone else.
I watched this while laying in bed feeling exhausted and depressed. I've never heard anyone explain depression this way. It made more sense to me than just about anything else I have watched or read about depression.
I've been watching your channel for a while now, and I have to say, MMC is not really about cleaning as much as it is about the effects of mental illness. Thank you so much for what you do. I have learned so much, but especially empathy for people who have hoarding disorder and forgiveness for myself for struggling most days.
Thank you!
I am always amazed at people’s supportive comments. You tube
Is more than sharing videos. It taps into a sharing community of people who will never know each other, but are humane and caring. I’m grateful. 0:31
When I’ve done the housework, I treat myself to a cheap bunch of flowers. When I see the lovely house and pretty flowers it makes me happy.😊 Then I try to remember that feeling when I don’t want to do it the next time.
That’s lovely. Like, I might be stealing that, thank you for sharing!
That's a very good thing you do and is actually recommended in clinical therapy. I like to soak in the tub when everything is cleaned and vacuumed and new sheets are on the bed so I can relax and then crawl into nice clean sheets. . . .Ben & Jerry are usually involved in this along with a favorite TV show I recorded.
yes!! part of depression is your usual reward center being broken, manual rewards to make up for it is my favorite tool. I don't have much of a natural 'celebrate that things are clean' response, so I force myself to stop, look around, and appreciate it. It took me a while to notice the difference but now that I have, cleaning is a lot easier
Thank you for sharing ❤
I used to love cleaning than I married a dv guy (6 priors) two decades older than me who used to say i was 'crazy with the cleaning' while creating giant messes. now the house is too messy to have anyone over. he did say the cops would arrest me for being crazy it was so dirty. I didn't say anything but I can only imagine what they'd say to him. he's retired and just sits there in the mess. I'm the one working full time. but this is Not how I want to live.
that 'sense of worth' you are sooo right.
genuinely some of the more helpful, straightforward, and ACTIONABLE advice I've heard for depression, while still being empathetic to the deep struggle
I have autism. Autistics often suffer from something called "autistic burnout" which can look a lot like depression. I can tell you how I deal with it when it comes to keeping up myself and my home.
1. I get a rough idea of what I would like to accomplish.
2. I prioritize the most important things I need to do
3. I take lots of breaks, which is essential for autistic burnout
4. Most importantly if I am not feeling up to completing a task I give myself a time block to work. This is an amazing way to get some stuff done so that it does not stack up to an undoable mess. For example I will decide I can work for an hour, and then I will start working, turn on a podcast that is approximately an hour long and I will work until it is over. If I still have energy I continue on. Even though I will not have completely cleaned my home I will have gotten a lot of things done, stuff like getting the trash out and the dishes washed.
5. I try not to leave a room without taking something with me that I can put away. In other words if I am going to the bathroom I will take my dirty clothes with me. If I am going to get a glass of water I take my dirty dishes to the sink. If I am going to the garage I take tools I have used back to where they belong. It is amazing how much you can get done just by taking one thing with you when you move around your house.
Sounds exactly like my plan for my adhd. Some days it works...many days not.
@@pattyg6705 There's so much crossover between autistics and ADHDers. A huge percentage of us also have ADHD as well.
I do the same thing. I also learned that the act of getting started is often more energy intensive than the act itself. Momentum is key!
Awesome suggestions!
@@sarahloffler There is a site called "Embrace Autism" that has a battery of online tests. Many of them won't apply to highly masking adults, particularly women. I took those tests, if I had relied on those completely I would never have sought diagnosis because of how they pathologize autistic people and our traits.
I began to read people who were autistic, watch channels on youtube created by autistic people, heard autistic people talk about their lives and I identified with them. Also, there were lots of traits that autistic kids have that I had, particularly the sensory issues.
A diagnosis can be tricky to get. If you have to pay out of pocket for one it can be expensive. This is why most autistic people think that self identification is valid. Of course, there will be disagreement, but most autistic adults understand the challenges confronting those who would seek a diagnosis.
If you want to seek a diagnosis after considering it you can talk to your doctor. If your doctor does not want to refer you (they are often under-educated about autism) I would talk to an organization in your region that helps people with developmental disorders. That is what I did, they helped me get a diagnosis.
My Mom was riding with me in my car the other day. She noticed a special key ring attached to my keys. She said, “ how long have you had that, I’ve seen it before?” I said, “ probably 28 years or so.”
Mom asked “ Where did it come from?”
I said, “ Well a patient was dying and was having a horrible night. His daughter was staying with him and I promised her I would stay on top of his pain during my night shift. I give him medication every 2 hours all night. He passed away later that day. She thanked me for helping him and gave me the key chain. You know the saying ‘if I could help just one person, my career would be made?’ Well I think back to the night often and feel like I made a difference.”
She smiled. My mom has been having some issues with fatigue lately. We have addressed it medically as best we can… but I think it is depression. I’m sending her this video so Mack, you know you have helped at least one person. Thank you!!
Beautiful 😍.
This is wonderful. Please also get your mum checkes for sclerosis. I suffer from depression since my late teens. Including lack of motivation for anything and being permanently fatigued.
My mom showed signs of this depressive fatigue years ago, would sleep a ton etc. Typical depression signs. She knows me and she knew whatever she had wasn't depression. She talked to her "house doctor" (I don't know if that exists in the English language, in Germany we call it "Hausarzt"), who also happens to specialise in psycho therapy. Well, after said doctor figured out it probably wasn't depression since my mum showed no other sign of it other than fatigue, they transferred her to Neurologist. Long story short, they found a sclerosis in her brain. One. At some point it developed into two etc. which made it "Multiple Sclerosis", MS.
@@ThorsShadow thank you for the sweet response Thor. She has horrible spinal stenosis requiring surgery in 2016 from C2-T2. The best guy in this part of the country did it, used bolts and plates and saved her life. I told her tonight over dinner I really think it is her spinal cord trying to get the job done with structural issues in Different places. I told her that everything was connected in some way to her spinal cord and it just wasn’t right…. At 80 with no pain we are dealing with it. She has terrible osteoporosis. We were so thankful he could repair her neck. She can walk with some difficulty using a cane. She can feed and pretty much dress herself. She can work in the garden a little. I booked a cruise with them for November. We are blessed and life is good. I just have to encourage her and remind her how lucky she is. For anyone reading this if you suddenly begin experiencing urinary incontinence please get check for MS. It is one of the first signs something might be wrong.
@@toddylu6869 Thank you for the response, Toddy. It looks to me like you and your family is making the very best of the situation. I think it's incredibly important, especially if you suffer from something as..."hindering" as our mums, that one never loses hope and the spark within oneself.
When my grandma (may she rest in peace) started to actually get old in her mid-80s (that woman was insanely fit) she lay on her sofa for a long time, seemingly losing a lot of motivation.
One beautiful spring day on easter, I opened the door to her terrasse. She heard the birds be happy outside and asked me to get her cane and help her get outside. We went outside and sat on the bank on her terrasse for quite a while. Just enjoying nature.
I've been fighting and struggling all my life to try to blend in and appear 'normal' , to keep my shit together, to tick all the boxes, to appease others. I work hard, I'm calm, I'm genial and pleasant around people. Inside, I'm screaming and howling to just be away from them. I know it sounds fucked up, but this includes my family - mother, husband, children etc. A few years ago a co-worker came to me and said some of the ladies were getting together for a special lunch. They'd already cleared it with the manager so that this core, intimate group could be off together for the afternoon. By default, due to my position and seniority, I was part of this group. These were my 'friends'. This co-worker, this lovely, empathetic women, after she'd told me about this said 'It's up to you. I know it's not your thing, and that's OK. We love you either way'
This is the nicest, most meaningful thing anyone has ever said to me. To be acknowledged and recognized and appreciated like that was so liberating for me. It was the first time, the only time (because I mask very well) that I felt I'd been given permission to be myself.
August 17th, 2024. I've been watching your video's for a few months now Never realizing you have depression and anxiety too. Mine started from childhood trauma and will have to deal with it all my life. I'm 71 now. I've been sleeping a lot again. Last weekend at 2:00 in the afternoon got up and went outside and worked 2 hours both Saturday and Sunday in my flower garden. Thank you for sharing your trying times it's been very rewarding to me. You are very blessed in God's eyes and mine by turning your depression into helping so many people. THANK YOU OVER AND OVER!!!
I adore you Mack and your wife, your son Jason. I think one part of the many reasons your channel is so successful is because of your understanding and compassion for mental illness. So many of us suffer. We hide it, we try to function and you talk about it regularly on your channel. Anxiety attacks are so physical and so life altering for me and for you to understand this and explain it to viewers helps me to not feel so alone! Depression: your description was spot on! Oh and I've been so excited to see you finally rip up your carpet. This video was so awesome. Ok, so I have NO carpet in my entire house and I love how clean it is! I also suffer from extreme allergies so being able to fully clean the floors helps that too. I love watching your videos where you do improvements, especially to your own home because with all that you do, seeing you get to spend time on your own house makes me happy. Also, you are so funny! You make me laugh everytime and as you know when you suffer from depression, anxiety, ADHD, or autism this is a healing that no drugs can do. Laughing is a healing to the soul!!! So keep it up my friend, I'm glued and can't get enough of your channel. Keep focusing on what you're doing and you will have that gold plaque.
He has three children from his first marriage ... Jason being one of them, then another son & a daughter. No children from his second marriage.
Last year I bought new door knobs to match the new color of my house … every day I saw them sitting in my garage and wanted to install them, but just couldn’t because I have had so much anxiety and depression I knew if there were any hiccups it would send me into a meltdown. I’ve been in therapy (not for the first time) since March and today I finally reached a point where I felt confident to install them. It felt good to have that project complete. I really needed that victory !
Proud of you! Way to go!
Omg. I totally understand that fear of starting something I MIGHT not be able to finish "well" or "right." The voice in my brain is quick and vicious with self-criticism. You might be able to walk away from another person of hang up a phone but you can't escape yourself. Its absolutely paralyzing. Glad you were able to move past your doubts and get the task done. Kudos to you because I know it's not easy.
As someone with seasonal depression, these are great tips, moose are very dense and perfect for blocking out light. Bonus tip- once you complete a task no matter the size, look at yourself in the mirror and praise yourself. You deserve it for taking any steps towards helping future you.
Moose are definitely perfect for blocking light. I just need to figure out how to keep it in my window.😅
My house is filthy. My backyard unrecognizable. My animals are well fed but their cages are filthy. I lost several productive years to depression. I live alone and that may be a good thing. Maybe if I can train my brain to pick up a scrubber and a bucket I’ll start on the scuzzy wood floors. I stopped riding my motorcycle, stopped hiking, stopped creating art, and I don’t even like coming home from work because I have to face the mess. No medication here, I have to find a way out of this hell on my own. Thank you for being the voice in the dark
You completely understand-"A massive struggle just to exist." You speak to so many of us.
Cleaning a 3 foot square is the way to go for many of us, depressed or not. Thank you.
Absolutely
“[Depression] is your bully to fight, but it doesn’t mean you can’t bring a friend to the brawl.”
This is so perfectly said ❤❤❤❤
My husband and I each have a separate room for hobbies and as an office. While the rest of the flat is usually okayish even when I am depressed my room gets reeeeeeaaaaaally really messy. So sometimes I get so overwhelmed I cry when even thinking about it and I don’t enter the room any more if I can avoid it. So when we reached that point my husband usually helps me to get started with tidying up until it’s less overwhelming and I can continue to do. And this helps me so much and I am so grateful for his help
I've started watching movies while walking on my treadmill. I used to beat myself up to be "productive", rather than focus on feeling good. I have CPTSD from an OCPD stepmom who would devalue me while I was doing chores, like she was Mommie Dearest. So I essentially learned to hate myself while doing the right things. That has been a wild realization. Now it is lke I am teaching myself how to feel goodwhile doing things that are good for me.
Sooooo good. Podcasts are great too. 👍🏼🇬🇧
Ps. You aren’t alone. 🇬🇧
Depression includes rumination. I learned it’s ok to be sad about an event. It was when I continually rode a trolley about how my mum treated me, I knew the difference. ❤️🇬🇧
Stay Strong🌻⚘✌
Same here fam. Good job!! I tell myself these days "get at least 1 thing done today" and usually, it helps me do more ❤ best wishes!
Okay, why is the cleaning video bringing me to tears with the wholesome parental advice I need?
I'm near 70, and I agree. I've been crying my eyes out, and it helps.
i cried too. esp since his son with helping him and the whole family has his back. ok im friggin cryin again lmao
@@klbkatklb, same. It's so nice.
Senior female here with symptoms like yours-- I don't get sad, I just have no energy and feel unmotivated, so I sit. I love all of your videos, but this one was extremely powerful and incredibly helpful. I've been listening to it over and over. It's like a balm to my soul, and yes, it got me moving. Thank you for all you do, you are an amazing human being.
I'm the same, I'm not sad or have to much in my mind but I sleep next to nothing which leaves me with no energy and certainly no motivation which then leaves me feeling guilty and more depressed because I hadn't got anything done. The only things which keep me fit and gets my brain in gear are my horses and dogs 😊
Same here I'm actually a very happy person I just don't have the energy I'm now working on exercise when I get routine down I will start another project ❤
Me having issues with cleaning sometimes mostly from poor health and my Autism and neurotypicals misplacing everything when I moved and it's annoying I still cannot find nothing.
Loved this video and shared it with loved ones. I’m doing the anxious, depressed senior thing as well. Need to get up and go find those tax documents from 2020. Breathe in, breathe out.
This is a heartfelt “Thank you” for explaining on our behalf. ❤
After a crazy breakdown, my therapist helping me to recognize and start accepting that i have ptsd, bi-polar disorder, and clinical depression said this when i told him how everyone is telling me how to pull myself up by my bootstraps: "You can't. Your bootstraps are broken." Decades later, i now see why he encouraged me to do one small thing a day and to get out for tiny walks. Your vids are so spot on, enlighting and informative. And what a blessing your son is. Wishing you and yours the best.
As a note: your previous vids helped me get my kitchen clean and stay clean, the bathroom is under control with an amazingly clean(er) toilet, and gaining the will to continue work on other cleaning and organizing projects.
Using that phrase that way broke my brain 😅 The background to the phrase "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps" is that it's literally impossible. Imagine trying to lift yourself up in the air by heaving on your shoelaces - you'd need to be able to levitate to accomplish it! We all need help from each other to get through.
@@ladysmith3988 😄
I wish everyone suffering from depression/autism, etc. would watch your channel. It's so different, but so understanding and you give people really helpful tools to deal with it...and get a cleaned up household in the process. THANKS!
I am a teacher for 26 years. Sometimes i feel like i don't want to go. I just want to stay in bed because i don't want to deal with their bad behaviors. This career put many teachers out of action for depression.
I was in a really tough teaching position last year (my first year teaching) where the district didn't support me at all even though i was dealing with incredibly challenging behaviors. it was so bad I left after one year. This year I have an incredibly supportive district and team and I love going to work even though we have some major behaviors. It's crazy how much changes just by feeling like other people have your back.
As nurse I understand, but I went for myself and the coworkers whose lives would be more difficult if I stayed home and for those who didn’t intentionally act badly.
I'm a teacher too. I feel this down into my core. I teach middle school and though I'm pretty good about not letting their bad behaviors get to me, the sheer volume of behavior problems I have to deal with would drown even the most experienced educator. I try to be fair and compassionate, but I also remind myself that most of them will outgrow their misbehaviors by the time they get old enough to start working, or else real life will beat some obedience into them (and maybe a stint or two in the criminal justice system for the really recalcitrant ones). Though I have a wonderful admin and support network of fellow teachers, our school system is not set up to handle the kinds of issues we have to deal with, leaving us teachers to go it alone (I seriously need an aide just for all the bureaucratic BS that comes with the job). I'm in this line of work because I love sharing my knowledge with others and I'm in it for the long haul, but it's probably the hardest, most poorly paid job I've ever worked when taking into account the circumstances and workload.
Teachers and professors should ALL have paid sabbaticals ❤️✏️✂️🖇️
It is ok to change careers. Teaching is very hard. I've been teaching for 30 years and each year it is harder because now parents aren't parenting and most kids are severely addicted to internet, social media, video games. Most kids have never been told no.
Thank you for giving the help people like us need by uploading this.
Get 10 minutes of sunlight when you get up and let yourself breathe fully. It'll help your respitory system feel better, slightly improve your mood and energy levels. It's small but to fight depression, it's good momentum
I wish I'd lose my appetite when I'm depressed. I eat. Constantly. And my sleep patterns are just all over the place. I honestly don't know how to fight my depression. I've got my antidepression "tools", but that's just a holding pattern. I can't seem to gain ground on it.
I've got arthritis in my back and hips (everywhere, really), and fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Changing my cleaning style to only clean small areas and giving myself permission to clean the house in stages over a number of days was a huge change for me. I really struggle with not letting it make me feel like a failure because I can't do it all in one go anymore.
I do lose my appetite when depressed and just so you know, it’s the same nightmare as binge eating, just different.
As said in the video, please have empathy and compassion for yourself, the fact that you’re still cleaning your environment despite having those body and psychological issues is HUGE, I can’t imagine doing all that while being in great pain. I don’t know you but I’m proud of you, sincerely. You’re doing your best right now ❤️
Me too, to all of that actually. Thank you for making me feel a little bit less alone with your comment. I'm just an internet stranger but I'll keep fighting if you do ❤️
Maybe you have already done this but consider looking for tools to help. I sweep dust boards with a broom, mop the tub clean, do mirrors with a flat dry dust mop and then mirror cleaner with a squeegee on a pole, scrub tile with a scrub brush on a long stick, etc. I look for easy way to do things.
Yup. Yup. I found myself audibly agreeing with your commentary. I’m 75 now and a retired scientist. I love good research. I love confirmed facts. I have fought my depression all my life by being rather indignant that my own brain is lying to me. Hang in there, my friend.
Something that helps is just write down anything accomplished as it is completed. You do more than you realize. Gives you purpose and worth.
@@moon-moth1 That is such a great idea! I also like using a dynamic to-do list (e.g., Google Keep) where I can click & drag things around as priorities change each moment of the day. That way I'm only looking at one or two tasks at a time rather than a whole list.
I did this years ago while I was going through counseling. I called it my "Did It" list. I started out just listing what I had done. Soon I began recording things in two columns; the first was listing what I had done; the second was what that told me about myself. For example, "took mom to her doctor appointment"; "I'm a good, conscientious caregiver.". Or, "did three loads of laundry"; "I manage a household well.". Even though I am NOT known for managing a household well overall, I did do it well with that particular job. It really encouraged me and lifted my spirits. It helped me understand that I don't have to be perfect (or even close to perfect). I still get a surprising amount done, and all of it speaks well of me.😊😊😊❤️❤️❤️
I do this too…I call it my “Ta-Da” list and it’s so satisfying!
@Sierra28074 I like this. Thank you!!
I've been a silent viewer for a couple months silently struggling with depression and keeping my house tidy. I watch your videos to better understand hoarding and also help myself not get there. The way you never shame viewers/clients is what keeps me watching and cleaning my house. You keep me motivated and i'm so thankful for channels like yours.
My husband and I were 72 when we decided to rip up all the carpet in our 1200 square foot home and install vinyl plank flooring. Just the two of us. He has PTSD and I have BPD, depression, and who knows what else. I can't stand anything out of place. To make a long story short, that floor thing was a bloody, two-year-long nightmare! On top of all that, we had a car wreck the week we started demolition. Buck and I fought a lot, I bawled a lot, and the dogs thought we had lost our ever freakn' minds! Weeks into the project, my ADHD brain decided to switch gears and I refinished a cedar chest, the kitchen cabinets, and blanket chest! When we finally got back to the floors, some of the sub flooring was so pee-stained and water damaged, we had to cut out and replace, which was a nightmare in itself. Now, 5 years later, I still haven't adjusted to the floors. I don't like them at all. My house doesn't feel like my house anymore. I don't feel like myself anymore. But the carpets were so bad, and we were so broke, that we had no other choice but to ignore it or do it ourselves. Buck and I are still married, we still love each other, and I decided not to sign myself into a nursing home!
❤️ 🙏 stay strong. Thanks for sharing.
What an inspiring story!
Through all that, you two found the mental AND physical strength to get things accomplished.
Don’t lose that fire that forces you to push yourself! 💜
Rely on the Lord each day to see you all through life's difficulties. Entrust your lives to Him. Have put you all on my prayer list. Think of others in terrible circumstances right now. Thank God for what you have. We have a roof over our heads and food in the pantry. Praise the Lord always.
Wow. This mindset can hopefully help a great many people.
♥️
My depression battle today was to turn on this video. It was hard, I didn’t want lights or sounds or to get up and get my iPad, I wanted to lay there for the next three hours. But I knew about the “do the opposite” concept, so I found this video and turned it on. I’m so happy I did, thank you for sharing! With the video on, I found that I still wanted to lie there, but I also kind of wanted to make food, since I’m in the habit of watching something to make food prep easier… so I made a simple meal. I appreciate you fighting not just your depression, but helping everyone else fight theirs, too. ❤
So nice that despite your struggles Mack you thought of Emily first and worked to makeover your home while she was away. What a loving thing and how exciting for her after having her medical challenges this last year. Much respect.
That was one of the most touching examples of showing your partner you love them that I've ever seen!
I know it sounds weird, but Im so glad you mentioned you've had chronic depression since you were a child. I feel the same way. All through my life, people gave me the impression that the depression was temporary and that you can take medication and be better. Ive NEVER felt that way. Ive always believed that if I came off my meds, I would get worse again. So Ive never been one of those people that think they dont need meds anymore. Im quite happy to stay on them for ever. I never knew what I had in my early 20s. No one could tell me. I found it difficult to articulate what was going on with me. The early years were hell and also humiliating.
My heart goes out for you. My last depression episode, probably the worst I have ever had. I couldn't make myself do anything! I walked by dirty dishes and I would "you need to do those dishes" and myself would say back to me "No, I don't" I slept on my bed with no sheets for a couple of months. Just couldn't make myself. But the day I admitted out loud that I didn't care if I ever saw my son again,I got scared. Increased my depression medicine. Since that time, I have had a stroke and have kept a positive attitude because I can't afford to go by that dark place.
Mack you explain depression really well. The battle against rolling over and going back to sleep is so real. I have a voice always warning me against sleeping I fear I will never get up again. Self-sabotage is strong during depression. Thank you for all you do and sharing your life with us❤
Finally found a quote worthy of my dating profile, "In my world and in my community empathy is not an option, it's a requirement and if you haven't learned that yet Billy Madison your ass back to school and start over."
excellent!
Aaagh I'm sorry but this is becoming a pet peeve of mine. What you're essentially saying is 'You MUST have empathy!' meanwhile you're giving none of it. You're confronting someone about a supposed lack of empathy instead of inviting them into sharing empathy. It's pointing a finger, and that is. not. empathetic. The only thing it does is make people defensive, than antagonized towards you.
I love the idea that you want to share empathy, but that isn't something others do. It's something you do, and others learn from you.
Wow, this is such a fantastic video on transforming chaotic spaces into clean, organized homes! As someone who works in the cleaning industry, I'll be sharing this with my clients to inspire them. I always enjoy your content, but this one really stands out. Thank you for all the hard work you put into these videos! 👍❤
You are such a kind gentleman who has integrity, a scarce quality these days.
You really understand depression from the inside out, and your words are wise and helpful. I love the way you and Jason have each other's backs. I also love what you did with your home to surprise your wife. This is what families are supposed to do for each other, and this is what real men should be modeling for younger men to learn.
I totally agree! I'd love to see her reaction when she comes home!
Thank you! You put into words what I have trouble explaining to people who do not have depression. There are so many hateful comments out there. Before my depression, I was able to get up go to work, take care of five kids, keep the house clean keep the kids clean and fed. That was about 10 to 15 years ago and now I struggle to get up and feed myself.
I know this video is several months old, but I had to stop everything. I’m doing and thank you. I’m so sorry about your dog. I had a traumatic dog incident that added to my depression, and it is unimaginably sad. I’m a woman, but I relate to your depression. Mine manifests the way yours does, and if I had stayed in bed as I wanted to, I may never have seen this. I haven’t lived near family for well over 25 years. I referred to myself as active and isolated. I cannot handle my home on my own, but shame is a barrier to getting help and lack of income is the other. I watched one of your videos last night, and, one of my sinks is now clean for the first time in months - thanks to you. Please keep doing what you do, and I trust that you will be blessed beyond imagination.
I set a 15 minute timer and clean when I feel like life is too hard. I also watch your videos ,other cleaning or hoarders to motivate myself to set the timer. Most times I hit repeat but it helps me get up and forces me to start. You are enough and you are valuable. Thanks for posting!!
At first I thought this was just a cleaning channel, but you have helped me so much not only with my ADHD/Autism/Depression related untidiness, but all symptoms related to them. This is so much more than a cleaning channel. Thank you forever!
My mom had depression since i was a little girl... the last 2 years she suffered from dementia and i cared of her 24/7... my hole life was filled with taking care of her... she passed away 2 months ago and now my life is empty... sometimes i have the feeling of loosing the reason for living... and mack said it so right, sometimes only existing is too much to handle... but i have a husband, he is the reason that i do my housework every day, cook every day, tidy up every day... so i think, my form of "depression" will be healed by time... the key is to go on and on and on and never give up! 💪💪💪
Cathy in Fort Wayne here. Dear Mud,
I am too, suffering with depression due to lifelong trauma/PTSD. Everything you said is spot on. Cleaning the house does help, even if it's one small area a day. Instant gratification and pride. Your narration style makes me smile. Well done, and thank you. Also, Jason is a rock star!
you will never know how much this one has helped me personally today. THANK YOU
You deserve to feel better 💖
@@jessieblair5316 Working on it
🎉 you hit it out of the park on this one, Mack. Your ability to communicate and educate about very tough subjects - while still finding humor - is remarkable. My grandmother always said she liked cleaning b/c she could ‘see where she’d been’.
Thanks for your continued content.
"Moose are notoriously not transparent" had me in stitches.
I truly hope you are a sponsor for some group that choose to self-medicate to cope with the over whelming feelings, fears, pressure and/or demands of this life. You truly are something special.
Incredible words of wisdom! I’ve fought depression since 14 years old. I’m now 73 and still learning how to successfully battle this disease! I’m keeping your post on the top of my ‘stack’ labeled “Inspiration for when I’m frozen”! Thank you for being so honest! May we all fight the good fight!
I love how much you advocate for mental health. You show such kindness and compassion towards the subject. Thank you
He’s a Blessing for sure!👍
I, too, suffer from depression. Sometimes I have to say to myself, “ Ok, just go put in one load of laundry “ or “just go wash ten dishes then you can stop “. But, like you said, you just gotta get up & move a little. Baby steps are key. Doing some small productive job, calling or talking to someone you love, playing music, or watching one of your videos, that’s the way to help pull yourself out of it. Your advice is great❣️❣️
How many other people did this video make cry? YOU GET IT!!! You understand. A friend just sent me a text, saying that talking about my pain and depression doesn't help anything. Nothing matters is how I feel. So, I get that others don't want to hear me gripe, but damn, every minute of everyday is a struggle. I realize that EVERYONE is dealing with something. I wish I didn't feel like I do. Taking from a comment here, it's not that I don't want to live, I just don't want to live like this.
Hi reach out. Your not alone
As someone who has bipolar disorder and suffered with depression my entire life. I understand where you are coming from. I am a woman and I actually feel the depression more like you. I shut down and isolate. I don't want to do anything but I force myself to do something. I just went through a major, life changing event that was extremely traumatic and am dealing with depression right now. I am working hard every day to push myself to do a little more than I did the day before. And CONGRATULATIONS on being a grandparent!
Keep going ❤️
@@Authorthings Thanks. Encouragement is always helpful.
People can also use your videos for "body doubling" which is REALLY helpful FOR ADHD/ anxiety/ autism etc 🎉
Lol I just got to the part where you mention this 🤣🤣🤣
What a coincidence. I planned to do some shopping for live moose curtains today! You’re a hero to many, friend.
Me too! They’re so good at blocking light.
I didn't realize I was depressed until Feb 23 when the love of my life suddenly passed. Then realized I've been in depression survival most of my life. Didn't know what it met . But I do what you do , I fight it every day. I pray for guidance, stamina energy, will power and love myself every day. I'm not a quitter and I'm not starting now..
You're not alone!!! Sending you big psychic hugs
Fighting depression is such a well-put phrase. A lot of advice for mentally ill people comes down to letting yourself rest but for I think it's prone to misinterpretation and while watching this video I had an epiphany that sleeping 12h every day is not really working out for me. Thanks
Love that you do so much to surprise your wife.She's a lucky lady! Thank you for sharing your struggles and your victories. You make it more understandable and real.
I love your videos but sometimes I think you missed your calling. You are so inciteful regarding depression, I think you could have been a great psychologist. On the other hand, I know you’re helping thousands of people through your videos!!!! I know you’re helping me to understand and help my son. Thank you! 💕
I needed this video more than I can say. In the past few years, I’ve lost my mother, my father-in-law, my oldest child, and one week ago, my best friend (he was a dog, and we fought cancer together for the past six months.) I can hardly make myself get out of bed to brush my own damn teeth anymore. I’m only 10 minutes in, but had to pause to cry because… I really needed this video.
Prayers for your precious pup to pass in peace. ❤
I wish I could hug you.
@@SandraNelson063 bless your sweet soul! Thank you!
I'm so so sorry for your losses. I can't imagine losing a child. Sending you big psychic hugs. I recently lost my sister, a very dear friend, and my constant companion and bestie (yep - my dog). It felt like all my sisters (actual and soul) got taken away. It can be so hard to even exist. I love what he says about just putting your feet on the floor.
My deepest condolences for your losses. I’m so so sorry you are going through all of this. I will send you positive thoughts for you to find peace. ❤
@@chemorn2020 thank you for your kindness. 🌺 May it return to you tenfold. ❤️
I just want to say to everyone here, you bunch of people are simply amazing, and truly give me hope in a world where everyone seems angry and downright MEAN! Reading your comments tells me how many caring, accepting, thoughtful people that are around me. We may struggle with our own issues, but we aren’t demolishing others to do it. We are looking inward, trying to understand ourselves and those we love. And proud to be a part of Mack’s community! And I do believe these things are exactly WHY his channel has grown by leaps and bounds-and why I am certain he’ll reach his goal and beyond! I hope you all have a great weekend- you lot deserve it and more! Take care!
Always remember u r not alone so many people feel the same way❤❤
I'm also thankful for this community, this support group and cheer squad! Good people like Mack attract good people, so this is right where I want to be. Hope you're having a lovely weekend!
beautifully said
What works best for me is to start very small tasks as you suggested.
Many years ago when my depression was extremely bad, the bathroom mirror might be one of my tasks and that would be it. Later I would go back and do the bathroom sink, later yet, I would do the counter...
Now I can do the sink, counter, & mirror in one go, toilet, floor, & trash in another. I'm really glad you put this video up because it makes me look back to when I was actually doing worse and encourages me that I am capable of more now, as little as that might be.
A few minutes into this video, it kicked my butt into gear and I got a little bit done. After resting for a bit, I got up and did the dishes and made myself some eggs.
I know that I feel better once I get started. The hardest step is the first one. Once I get on a roll, every time I get up to go to the bathroom, I do a small task.
The problem I'm having now, is when I have two or three days like that, I end up burnt out and unable to do anything. I often don't recognize my limits, just as I don't recognize the symptoms & signs of a decline. Having gone through a few courses through mental health organizations, I've started to recognize WHAT the signs are, but I still do not see them when I'm in it until it's too late. I've asked people around me to let me know when they see me having those symptoms, but no one does. Does anyone have any suggestions for that?
Also, I knew in the past that you struggled with autism, but not with depression and anxiety which is what I deal with. Seeing today that you also struggle with that on top of the other one is what kicked me into gear today. Thank you for this & all that you do! Also, thank you for the reminder to be patient and compassionate with others. It can't be said enough.
Thank you. Wonderful inspiration for me. My 85 year old husband, took a tumble early in the week. Broke his hip. He is now in temporary rehab. I woke up to this. I turned my attitude into towards, Oh I can approach my depression in a totally different situation. I will but this on a play list. I will watch and listen to this over and over.
Depression, adhd,ptsd,and autism, seems to all go hand in hand, for some people. I started watching your channel for helping me organize, clean, then I realized it turned into much more of a helpful channel, not only about hdhd, and cleaning. ❤ ❤ 👊
So...this explains why I love cleaning for my friend who is a young single mom....alrhough I dread cleaning my space! Thank you so much.
My twins are autistic and a depressive episode would mess up their lives so I could never have a breakdown, though I certainly have empathy for those who succumb to one. But many times, I would be active in little things like getting new kitchen cabinent doorknobs or planting veggies.
I started writing and never could have guessed I would have a movie and book deal. Miracle Run. There’s always hope, transform yourself, it starts with getting out of bed, and maybe painting your bathroom purple.❤
Please don't imply that having a nervous breakdown is a choice. I didn't choose to have a breakdown. It happened because I kept pushing through, and 3 years later, im still trying to get better after going through a lifetimes worth of major life issues in the space of a decade.
Congratulations on the incoming daughter and granddaughter! It's WONDERFUL that so many people were generous and kind to your family like you are to others' families. ❤
Currently suffering from an intractable migraine that's triggered another depressive episode (lifelong major depressive disorder and CPTSD here). While I know that will limit the amount of activity I can do, your videos have been inspiring little project ideas I can take on during the times when the pain is more tolerable. I'm sorry to hear you also experience depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. It's admirable how you push yourself through - you found another way to fight depression by choosing this specifically to narrate! Your empathy and compassion are so refreshing. Also so sorry to hear about your doggie.
Migraines etc definitely make it so much harder and more complicated on top of everything else. As someone with similar issues, I hope you and everyone else who can relate to your comment can find some relief and improvement
I enjoy the deadpan humor here so much.
I think another important factor in fighting depression is environment. Cleaning your environment like what we see here, or relocating from an environment that's toxic to one that isn't, can make a massive difference.
I'm doing the latter, and just having that to look forward to is, for me, a massive weight lifted.
During the worst of my depression, I felt like I was a giant boulder sitting on a completely flat piece of land and I could not get moving at all. It was so incredibly hard to get the momentum rolling. Luckily, that’s about a year behind me now. But, Mack, thank you for these videos and your advice. You are much appreciated. 👍👍
Ty again for your wisdom and compassion. People really do misunderstand depression. No. You can’t wish it away no more than you can wish the moose off your counter. I encourage you to reframe battles as challenges to be met and mastered. Amen. 🇬🇧
I got emotional when you started painting the bathroom purple when you don't like the color, and in a major room in the house where you'll always be seeing it! That's so sweet! Like you said, that's love.