Even if you’ve never experienced depression, you’re probably aware of the most visible symptoms. Persistent feelings of sadness, fatigue, and hopelessness are common, but from there it can get tricky.
In a viral Twitter thread, M. Molly Backes reveals another symptom that will ring familiar to those of us with depression.
This symptom is one of the biggest challenges of living with depression: tackling The Impossible Task.
Photo Credit: Twitter
The Impossible Task isn’t the same for everyone. Heck, it isn’t even the same all the time for the same person. Backes explains:
Photo Credit: Twitter
I could cite countless personal examples, from brushing my teeth (sorry world) to doing the dishes to getting to work on time. These aren’t hard things to do on the surface.
Photo Credit: Twitter
And of course, as we avoid The Impossible Task, we’re faced with that constant, sometimes unkind companion: our brains.
Photo Credit: Twitter
Backes reminds us to be gentle with ourselves in the face of our challenges. She encourages us to not be ashamed of the times we need help (even when it seems silly).
Photo Credit: Twitter
She also advises people who have a loved one with depression to take initiative in lending a helping hand. Backes reminds us that, ultimately, struggling with Impossible Tasks teaches us to be kinder to the people we love, because we know what they’re going though. We just need to extend that kindness to ourselves.
Photo Credit: Twitter
As her Tweet went viral, many people resonated with Backes’ description of The Impossible Task.
Photo Credit: Twitter
Photo Credit: Twitter
Photo Credit: Twitter
Maybe the most important aspect of this thread is that it shows us we’re not alone. There are other people facing the same challenges, and we have loved ones we can reach out to. We can find the courage to ask for help, even when it seems impossible.