Have you noticed that when a baby is learning to walk everyone encourages, cheers, smiles and claps at every faltering step. Each time the baby falls there are so many smiling happy faces to motivate the baby to keep on going. The first step is met with huge cheers, big claps and many photos and videos and calls to the grandparents and aunts and uncles. This is a wonderfully supportive environment in which to learn and grow.

When we are adults and learning to cope with our low moods, our change in mood, where are the smiling encouraging faces? All we get at times are well meaning family and friends telling us "Stop feeling sorry for ourselves", 'Make more of an effort" and many more 'not so helpful' words of advice.

Where are the cheer squads the smiling faces the words of encouragement we had when we were learning to walk? When we are trying to negotiate our life while feeling depressed this is when we need lots of positive enthusiastic words and actions.

We don't need gushing and advice, just encouraging words like "That's great you managed to get to the letterbox today, well done."

"So you didn't leave the couch today but I am so pleased you showered and got out of bed."

"I know it is difficult for you to come to my party, so I really appreciate the effort you made."

I am going try to be my own cheer squad as well as offer support to others. Who can you cheer on?

Leah

A Moodscope member.