9- Find Your Inner Child

          First of all, my earnest apologies for not posting sooner. I was stranded without internet in the wilderness for a while, so I wasn't able to post. I'm sorry. *guilty sad face*
          Second, I'm realizing that I might need a partner in this blogging endeavor, or "daily" might not necessarily mean every day. I'll look into that for all you readers.
          Finally, we arrive at today's DLP- to locate and give a big hug to your inner child. You were an adorable little kid once, you know. Whether you had a supportive family back then or not, you have yourself now, so I want you to let the part of you that still is that little kid have some fun. What did you enjoy doing as a kid? My favorite thing to do when I'm indulging my inner child is to grab some ice cream, build a pillow fort, and watch Disney movies until I fall asleep, or watch Titanic until I cry. I may not have done the latter option as a child, but hey, I can do whatever I want. What are you going to do to give your inner child a treat?
          Cheers,
              Lily

8- Take a Walk

          Do you live in a place where it's safe to go outside? Do you have the ability to walk? If the answer to these questions is yes, this prompt is for you. (If the answer is no, you might want to try a different prompt today.)
          All that I'm asking for you to do is go on a ten-minute walk. It can be longer if you'd like. Just go enjoy the area around you, get some fresh air, and absorb that vitamin D- unless it's nighttime, in which case I suggest stargazing.
          Taking a walk is not only a good opportunity to clear our minds and take a break from the stress of life, but it's also a good form of exercise, which produces mood-boosting endorphins. You'll get a good chance to explore your neighborhood, too. Just remember to fix yourself something tasty and healthy when you finish your walk, it can take a lot of energy!
          Cheers,
              Lily

7- Make a Call

          If you have phone service, a bit of bravery, and at least one friend, you should be able to do this. All I'm asking today is that you call a friend- call, not text- and talk to him or her. Really, it's easy.

          A friend, family member, therapist, or any other member of  your personal support team would be good to call. I suggest starting out with small things, such as how your day's been going, and progressing to deeper issues if you feel comfortable discussing them. Remember, if you have any kind of issue you'd like help with / you'd like me to post advice about, just notify me in the comments.
          Cheers!
              Lily 

6- Stock Up on Power Foods

          Did I mention that you're a great person just the way you are? You don't need to lose weight, or gain it, or anything- you look perfect. All I'm suggesting is that you try some new foods because I think it'll help your mood.

          Did you know that out diet is one of the biggest factors a in determining how we feel?  If you eat too little, or too many nutritiously empty foods, you'll feel a lot worse for wear. Fruits, whole grains, and other minimally processed foods are full of vitamins and other nutrients that will make you feel better mentally as well as physically. 

          Our  DLP for today is to go to the store and stock up on some whole, tasty, filling foods. If you're lacking inspiration, look up "whole food meals" or even "vegan foods". The hippie-aisle in any chain grocery store is also a good place to start. 

          Try reading the label on the food you're buying if you're getting something pre-packaged, just so you know what's in it. If the ingredient list contains three or more foods that you can't pronounce, I suggest giving it a pass. Even if you don't live near a big grocery store, or if you're financially limited, you can hopefully be able to find some whole fruits, whole grains, spices, etc, and make yourself something tasty with that.  

           Remember- doctors recommend eating a small, nutritious meal every three hours or so, instead of gorging a couple times a day and not eating otherwise. Also, your school nurse was right when he or she said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Skipping it messes with your metabolism and will drain you of energy. 

          Good luck! I hope you find some delicious power foods up your alley. 

          Cheers! 

               Lily 

5- Treat Yourself

          Okay guys, this one is easy. (Sorry for posting so late, I've had a chaotic day involving cleaning a whole house last-minute, finding someplace to sleep for the night, and unclear business transactions.) For today's DLP, I want you to do something really nice for yourself. Get dinner at your favorite restaurant, watch a movie with a family member, whatever you want. If you can't think of anything, try to remember your favorite recent experience and do something similar. (Had a blast at a carnival? Go to an amusement park). The important thing is that you enjoy yourself. Remember, even when you don't feel like it, you're a great person who deserves nice experiences- so fill your life with them!

          Cheers, 

              Lily

4- Seek Out Your Demons

          Everybody's got demons. I've got demons. You've got demons. Maybe we've both dealt with our demons. Maybe you haven't yet. Sometimes people know exactly what their demons are (e.g. you feel worthless because of you weight, you're lonely after a bad breakup, one of your parents was never around so you have identity issues, etc.), and sometimes people don't. (e.g. You feel like crap. Why the heck...?) Even if you don't know what your demons are, that doesn't stop them from coming after you like bloodhounds. If you're uncertain about what's been getting you down, I'd like you to try this DLP.
          Step One: Get a piece of paper. If you journal, use that. If you don't, any piece of blank paper will do- you can even use the back of an old advertisement. Get a pen or pencil, or heck, use a quill if you have one. It doesn't really matter.
          Step Two: Start free-writing about your emotions. Free-writing is essentially a process in which you grab a pen, pick a topic, and let yourself write whatever comes to mind. Grammar, spelling, and writing quality don't matter in this case, this is just a way for you to get your thought flow on paper. Write on your topic for at least five minutes, and try to be as personal as you can- remember, you don't have to show this to anyone. When you're done, you can go ahead and burn it in a ceremonial bonfire. You could also just crumple it up and throw it in the trash.
          Step Three: Once you've written for five or more minutes, take a look at what you have on your paper. Chances are, it's a big, emotional mess. (At least, that's what I get when I free-write.) This is where the process gets interesting; now you get to piece together the nonsense that you've written. Think of yourself as a thought-detective, investigating the crimes of your inner demons. Maybe you've written something like this: "Lately I've been feeling really unstable, I don't know, I'm kind of floating off the ground and don't have any purpose- I don't really feel sure about anything, ugh I just wish I felt more certain about my life I mean I don't even know who I am. I want to just go crying to mom, but she wouldnt get it either because everything I know about myself I learned from her. I dont know where I really came from What is my destiny anyway? I have no clue." If you skimmed over this group of words, you might think it makes no sense. However, if we take a closer look, you'll notice some patterns. First of all, we have the overarching them of belonging and identity. This hints at issues in the writer's past that make him/her uncertain of how they should move forward. Parentage is also mentioned. In this example, let's assume that the writer is adopted- maybe he or she feel so lost and uncertain because they feel disconnected from his or her roots. Maybe an investigation into the writer's birth parents would help, maybe it wouldn't- either way, the writer now has an idea of why he or she feels such an identity disconnect.
          It's easier to decipher your feelings, once put into words, than it looks. We usually have at least a subconscious idea about what is bothering us, and hopefully this DLP will help you uncover it. Did you learn anything from this prompt? Feel free to sound off in the comments! The best of luck to you all.
          Cheers,
              Lily

3- Express Yourself

          I saw the opportunity to name this post after a Madonna song, and I took it.
         Anyway, today's post is about something that many people find can add fulfillment to an otherwise "dreary" life: art. There are all kinds of arts, ranging from painting to cooking to dance to blown glass to interior design. Personally, my preferred art medium is music- not only do I like to listen to it, but I love making it, too. I'm a singer and actor with a musical theater company, I'm a singer/songwriter in a band, and my latest musical endeavor is to learn how to mix and produce digital music. Music adds a lot of meaning to my life that wouldn't be there without it.
          What's your favorite artistic medium? Do you have one? If not, try to find something that suits you. My DLP for you is to try to express yourself creatively through that medium. If you're trying your hand at poetry, write a poem, if you're an aspiring sculptor, pick up some clay at the craft store. If you want, you can use the internet to look up the basics of that medium so that you have some guidelines to follow. Remember, though, this DLP isn't about how your project "turns out", it's about giving yourself something fun to do while at the same time expressing your emotions- whether to yourself or to the world is up to you. Who cares if your wig-making experiment turned out all wrong? As long as you enjoyed yourself trying it, it doesn't matter. Pour your heart and soul into your art, and you will reap the benefits tenfold.
          Cheers,
              Lily

2- Make a Happy Playlist

          Music is something that can make us feel a whole range of emotions, all the way from joy to despair. Especially for teenagers and young adults, music is something that we turn to to help us in our darkest hour. Many songs can worsen depression, but some songs can help to heal it. My Daily Living Prompt for you today is to make a playlist of songs that genuinely make you happy- no negative songs allowed. Some suggestions lie below, go with the ones in a genre you like, or compile a playlist that's completely your own. Some of the songs here are ones that I know my friend, to whom this blog is dedicated, (I would like him/her to remain anonymous, so I'll just call him/her Buddy from now on) likes, others I just pulled from the hat.
          Songs to Add:

• On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons (for Buddy)
• Happy by Pharrell Williams 
• Hate On Me by Jill Scott
• Hey Jude by the Beatles (for Buddy)
• Can't Hold Us by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (for Buddy)
• The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars 
• Best Day of my Life by American Authors 
• Walking On Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves 
• Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO 
• I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor 
• Lean On Me by Bill Withers 
• Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper 
• Three Little Birds by Bob Marley 
• Wonderwall by Oasis 
• Let It Be by the Beatles (for Buddy)
• Float On by Modest Mouse 
• Counting Stars by One Republic 

          Phew, that was a lot. Again, not all these songs will float everybody's boat, so pick and choose as you like. Next, I have a list of "anti-suggestions", just so you get the idea.
          Songs Not to Add:

• Don't Speak by No Doubt 
• Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers 
• Love the Way You Lie by Skylar Grey 
• Actually, any song that's by Skylar Grey 
• Yesterday by the Beatles (Buddy, I'm looking at you) 
• Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley or Leonard Cohen 
• Mad World by Gary Jules
• Absolutely everything and anything ever performed by Blood on the Dance Floor. I am dead serious. Don't do it. 

          So, you now have some basic guidelines for compiling your happy playlist. Good luck, and remember- just keep swimming. You can do this!

          Cheers, 

              Lily

1- Meditate for Five Minutes

          Meditation may sound ridiculous, pointless, or "lame", but it's actually quite exhilarating. Think of it as a drug that's healthy for your body and mind.  It alters your state of consciousness, allowing you to explore the vastness of your own mind in an entirely different way. Sound difficult? Don't worry, it's easy. Try sitting in a comfortable position (whatever works for you is okay) and close your eyes. Breathe deeply through your nose and out your mouth. Imagine yourself in the center of a dark room, completely alone. Focus on the emptiness around you for a moment, then allow the thoughts to drift in. They may take the forms of images, words, sensations... All of this varies in each individual. Observe them, maybe even grab hold of a thought and examine it, but afterwards, let it float right out of your mind-room. Pay attention to the thoughts and even emotions that drift through your mind, but don't allow them to break your peace- just watch. When you are ready to resurface to the outside world, take a deep breath in and gently open your eyes. You will have unlocked some of your subconscious, and probably have calmed your mind as well.
          If you find meditation helpful or promising, and even if it has no effect at first, try to mediate for at least five minutes a day. Not only will it be good for your recovering mind, but it may help you discover what deep-rooted issues- and helpful revelations- dwell in your subconscious. Meditating every day is also building a healthy habit, which is incredibly good for you.
          Extra information: http://zenhabits.net/meditation-for-beginners-20-practical-tips-for-quieting-the-mind/, http://doyogawithme.bandcamp.com/album/mindfulness-meditations-with-peter-renner, http://life.gaiam.com/article/meditation-101-techniques-benefits-beginner-s-how

Introduction

          Welcome to Just Keep Swimming!

This site will be devoted to what I call "Daily Living Prompts", a suggestion for my readers to do every day in order to fill up their life/give it more meaning. Not all of these Daily Living Prompts will be helpful for everyone, as this site is designed for and dedicated to a friend of mine who is struggling with depression. I would like this friend to remain anonymous, so I will refer to him/her as "Buddy" throughout my posts. Please remember that my prompts are no substitute for a professional therapist/medical care, and that if you ever feel the urge to self-harm or suicidal in any way, you need to seek support immediately. I hope that you will find these prompts meaningful, and that they will remind you to just keep swimming, to use the immortal words of Dory/Ellen DeGeneres/awesomeness embodied. 

          Cheers, 

              Lily