Demotivation is something hard to battle especially if it’s accompanied with anxiety and depression. This is the first time that the blog will mention about this with regards to pursuing another degree. It’s hard and it’s a roller coaster but it’s a battle against demotivation.

How to Survive Demotivation and Power Through Anxiety and Depression

Going into a school is easy but going to law school is not as easy as it seems. There are a lot of trials and even battles that every person undergo in order to survive and actually finish it. Here in our country, Philippines, law students battle every single day for their dreams of having that “Atty.” before their names. However, here’s the catch.

Most would just shrug off their mental health and say that it’s just a feeling.

Quite frankly, I beg to disagree. Mental health is not just some item that one can just shrug off. It’s as vital as taking care of your physical health. Not that you should not pay attention to your body, but it is a part of your whole well-being. Without it, I doubt that you could function very well.

Disclaimer: This post is something very personal and might get lengthy so I understand if you won’t be able to finish this. However, if you finished reading this, I hope you drop a comment and share your thoughts about this. 💙

Now, here we go.

How it came to be?

I will make this a short story since I do not want you to spend so much of your time contemplating or imagining how things went that day.

The story

So long story short, I had a class and the professor said some mean things that I intended to shrug away. However, some of those things lingered and festered in my head and even in my heart. That was a devastating moment for me and it lasted for a few years.

I was lost and I felt worthless. During those times, I kept on saying that I was okay even though I was not. Smiles and masks were worn to show everyone I met that I just had a bad day. Tomorrow’s another day and it will be another chance again. That went on for quite a while, literally. Up until I realized. I always try my best however, I lack the confidence and did not trust myself enough.

My self-confidence and self-esteem crashed to zero. I sank. Then there days that I would just find myself bursting into tears at random hours, thinking of what was and what could.

And then, one day, I took an anxiety and depression online test. There, I found out I had high levels of anxiety and depression.

That totally shocked me. I continuously researched what to do and how to get over it up until I realized, it depends on the wellness of the person who has those. It cannot be rushed and it’s a journey to heal and get better.

Present day

Luckily, I found communities like Mental Health Support Philippines and Mental Health Support Group by Kylie Versoza. Through these, I was able to cope up and continue living.

Dealing with Anxiety, Depression, and Demotivation

How can someone define anxiety?

As defined by Google:

Defining anxiety | How to survive demotivation and powering through anxiety and depression

Anxiety is a very broad term to actually define. It can be a simple state of nervousness or a disorder that may be characterized by a state of excessive uneasiness and apprehension. Some feel panic attacks along the way yet some have peculiar compulsive behavior.

On the other hand, here’s how they define depression.

Defining depression

With these, how do you feel? Would you still ignore it?

More so, here’s what demotivation means.

Defining demotivation

How do you power through it?

Some would say that you heal according to your pace. No one should ever force you to cope up or heal the way they did. This is something that has to be done without anyone’s interference. Well, except for the professional help of course!

In my case, this is how I coped up and powered through my anxiety and depression.

• Evaluate everything. From the things that surround you to how you feel every single day.
• Do it for two weeks without falter. The two weeks is a standard for most depression tests I see online. Also, you can pour out your thoughts through an app called Paralign which is both available on iOS and Android. ☺️
• I keep a journal or a blank notebook where I could just scribble my unfiltered thoughts and feelings during the day. It helps me to clear out my mind especially if I need to work or study. This has been helpful during those times since you get to mold it and potentially turn it into something positive. Some creatives use their mood to create and I truly believe in that.
• Other than the journal, I have my blog and its sub-blogs divided into my scribbles (or calligraphy journey) and study (school adventure). It allows me to share and engage with people who may share the same situation as I am. Naturally, it’s one of my uttermost goals in life; to help.

Surround yourself with good people

• It’s vital to have someone that just listens to you no matter what. I found solace in Sam (or Stephen) and a few friends who share the same sentiments about mental health. Shoutout to Chic, Erika, Christian, and Celine! These are the people who I feel comfortable with to share unfiltered thoughts. Sometimes, they may not fully understand what I mean but I super appreciate them for listening.
• Professional help is highly suggested also as they can provide medicine and proper ways of treating the mental illnesses that we may have. Some join online communities that share the same sentiment (see the ones I’ve linked at the first few paragraphs).
• Time I spent with family was a great way of recharging myself, confidence and even self-esteem. Getting surrounded with the people who believe in you is one of the best things in life. They get to save you even if you’re drowning.
• Last but definitely not the least, pray and lift everything to God. He is the one that gets to accept and love us unconditionally. Therefore, raising our problems and struggles to Him will surely be one of the best things in life. If ever you’re not a Christian or Catholic, then I suggest you confide in the Higher Being you believe in. ☺️

Powering through demotivation

Once I got into believing in myself again, I repeatedly told myself that it’s time to bounce back and shine! It may seem too optimistic but this 2018 has felt that way. That it was the time for self-love and it is okay to be selfish for yourself. It’s not a crime and definitely not illegal.

[bctt tweet=”2018 felt that it is the time for self-love and it is okay to be selfish for yourself. It’s not a crime and definitely not illegal.” username=”mariaisquixotic”]

There were too many ideas both for the blogs and the creative path however, there’s a moment or two that I felt empty and drained. This went on even if we got successful events. For me, that was the time that I felt happy and free that nobody will ever judge me even if I do not have the prettiest handwriting in town.

Now, let me share some steps on how I powered through demotivation.

• Get to believe in yourself that you can do the things that you want to do from the start. It could be a long shot from now but it’s essential to list everything that you want to do in the future.
• People are always present and they either help us make it or quit it. So, to motivate yourself once more, it’s vital to surround yourself with people who share the same aspirations as you do. This will push you and everyone to continue the battle that was started.

[bctt tweet=”It’s not about how fast it was done but on how strong you became when you did it.” username=”mariaisquixotic”]

• Don’t worry if you fall more than once. Mistakes and failures teach us to be bolder, stronger and wiser. These are mere words that we hope we’ll be in the future. But, remember, the future starts from our next step.
• Keep track of every progress you have made! (This is self-explanatory.)
• At your work desk or study desk or nook, put some inspirational words or quotes that inspires you to become better. It may also be a wallpaper in your phone or laptop. It’s up to you! As long as, you get an everyday reminder from the gadgets we cannot seem to let go in most parts of the day.
• Take a look at your journal and the progress you have made. It may not be an easy ride but it made you a lot tougher and stronger. Think that it will get better.
• Lastly, thank God for the blessings you have received and for each day that you wake up in the world. That even if we have some struggles, we always find comfort in Him.

What’s next?

Up next is things start going back to the way they were. You get to smile and be more positive about things even if there’s bad traffic or mobile signal.

The list you made about your aspirations will be ticked off one by one depending on how you do it. Just remember, life is not a race. It’s always about the journey.

[bctt tweet=”Just remember, life is not a race. It’s always about the journey.” username=”mariaisquixotic”]

Now, I hope that you’ve learned something from this post and that I am able to help you in my very own way. Let me know how things are through the comments below! 💙

Don’t forget to pin this!

Are you ready to survive demotivation? 💪🏽

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