As you all might know, I started speaking out about my struggle with depression last year in November. I’m still going to speak openly about it in the future, but this week, I want to share with you that I along with several of my awesome blogger buddies will be sharing stories and tweeting out to shed light and BE light to those who also may be suffering with this disease. Yes. Disease. It’s a sickness. Being able to understand it and how to interact with those who are affected is so important. 

I do believe that my depression started a long time ago, but I finally was compelled to speak to someone about it when my husband gently suggested that maybe it just wasn’t me not getting back to myself after having the twins. The moment that I decided to step out of the dark place that I had become comfortable in, was the moment that I begin to live on purpose. Sure it’s been a bit uncomfortable, but I’m not doing it alone, and I don’t have to. For every moment that I feel that I am not important enough to anyone, I have 10 where I get random messages from friends that I don’t think are thinking about ME. I’m told that I am an encouragement to THEM because I openly documented my struggle and even brought to the forefront the stigma that black Christians seem to have with the subject. 

So, now that I fully have your attention I can probably answer the first two questions that popped in your head. 

What Is #DayOfLight

#DayOfLight is the brainchild of Brandi from Mama Knows It All who has learned of three people succumbing to the disease in the last couple of months. She approached those of us who have openly written on the subject, and some who have not through our Pushing Lovely Community, and the wheels were set in motion. We are asking folks to share stories of how depression has affected them through blog posts and social media shares. We will be sharing out resources and help all day. There will be a live stream Hangout on Wednesday, February 5, at 11 AM EST, and a twitter chat at 9 PM EST. More information will be available throughout today and tomorrow.

What Can I Do To Participate? 

• Write a blog post sharing your personal experience of depression and/or share resources to help others. Add the #DayOfLight hashtag in your post title.
• Watch the #DayOfLight Google Hangout on Wednesday, February 5th at 11 AM EST. Tweet and ask questions. (http://bit.ly/1ilifbP)
• Participate in the #DayOfLight twitter chat on Wednesday, February 5th at 9 PM EST (follow@PushingLovely, @NotoriousSpinks, and @BrandiJeter for more information)
• Turn your social media avatars black and white on Wednesday, February 5th so we can visually represent all of those affected by depression.
• Share inspiring tweets, posts, and photos  on social media to encourage those who are suffering with depression to let them know that they are not alone. Use the hashtag #DayOfLight. (On 2/4, I’ll share a link to a file with information that you can pull from if you’re interested)

I do love that I will be among some very talented and very wonderful bloggers. We are opening our hearts and our virtual homes for everyone to share stories and resources. We are not in any way attempting to give medical advice, just sharing, and encouraging those who may be suffering with depression to know that they are most certainly not alone, and they can always seek help.

I am off to see my therapist later this morning, because it’s a long journey to getting back to that spunky Natasha I was in college. That carefree Natasha that took no prisoners! I’m getting there. One day at a time, I’m getting there.

If you want to read my back story, you can read them here, here, and here.

I look forward to hanging out with you all on Wednesday, and keeping the doors of communication WIDE open, because we are totally responsible for each other, and each of us is a BRIGHT light and deserve to shine on.