BLOG - Fake it 'til you make it

Get up, get dressed and get out……

……….even when you don’t want to, especially when you don’t want to! And smile about it, by the end of the day that forced smile may be become genuine. You just need to start somewhere. When your at your lowest physically and mentally the only way is up. How do you make the initial steps forward when your buried under self doubt? One theory is Fake it ‘til you make it.
I know some would translate this phrase to “just get on with it”, that would suggest its easy. I know, from personal experience that it isn't. But, we do need to start somewhere and that can only be with ourselves. If you start by thinking maybe, then follows can, then will, and before you know it, your day has ended in a more positive and productive than it began. You can start to convince yourself of maybe initially, by putting up a front. Wearing a fake smile could get you through the getting up and getting out phase. Once you are out, half the battle has been won. And that's what some of us need, a tool for that first step.
Therapist Dr Gary can explain more, “The idea here is that giving yourself push just to do one thing, can give you a sense having some control. Seeing some progress, for example, if your house is messy. Knowing that you pushed yourself to do something when the depression told you that you couldn’t.
Believe me, I know that depression can be such a deep and dark place that getting out of bed can feel like an impossible task. And depression also hits you with a double whammy – you feel caught in this dark place, and you also feel like you can’t do anything to get yourself out of it.
But on the other hand, if you want to take an action, even the smallest step, until you feel better, then you may find yourself feeling more and more mobilized.
Taking one small step creates possibility. One step can at some point lead to another step. The energy can turn in a new direction. Taking action can result in feeling more in control, more empowered.”
Read more at http://www.depressionconnect.com/discussions/1320-fake-it-til-you-make-it-ever-been-said-to-you#szFzjLUWY75CpodK.99
I make no secret of the fact that my own depression was the initial reason for starting an early morning, outdoor exercise programme. I needed a reason to get up, get dressed and get out. I can tell you (as would the Campers) no one really wants to every single morning but no one ever regrets that they did. Once the exercise is complete you thank yourself for doing it even though you initially wanted to stay home. What I didn't expect was how infrequent these types of mornings became as the weeks, months and years of KFP Bootcamp went by. Exercise is the most underrated anti depressant. I feel very proud to have created a safe and friendly space with like minded people. We respect each other and support one another on days we feel we can only manage to fake it ‘til we make it.