Imagine you have a young family but crippling depression. You have a week off to work on yourself. What would you do during that week to work on yourself?

6 comments

1. Work on forming a single habit that you believe will have the most impact on your mental health. This could be a routine change in your diet, meditation, exercise, etc.

   It takes longer than a week to form a habit, but hopefully this gives you a good head start.

2. I would ride my bike in a 300 mile loop. I would camp every night and read in my tent. I would be alone with my thoughts.

3. What’s five things you’ve always wanted to (and have the funds for) but never really think to do day to day? Pick one! …okay, got it? Okay, give em to me, what are they?

4. Ditch the cell phone, go to a city an hour or so away and bring about thirty books and a journal. I would read, write, go to the gym and get sunlight

5. Unpopular, non-politically correct, atypical Reddit advice:

   Suck it up and stop feeling sorry for yourself. Whatever story you keep repeating in your head as to why you’re in this situation… just stop it.

   Stop worrying about your “mental health” and make sure your family is taken care of.

   Last bit of controversial advice: don’t go to a psychiatrist or psychologist. Talk with your spouse and close friends instead.

6. #1 Catch up on sleep for a day

   #2 Go do something that only I like but avoid because family doesn’t like it. For me it would be an art gallery in the next city.

   #3 Spend time in nature

   #4 Make a plan for what I will do a little each week just for me. Run the plan by my wife.

   #5 Surprise my wife at her work.

   #6 Pick kids up from school early to have an adventure. (Geocache for my son)

   Edit: Also learn how Reddit formatting works.