Baggage

For the past month, I have been fighting with myself about whether or not to continue taking medication. I don’t feel depressed anymore. I feel as if I can deal with my feelings. I am tired of being tired, and I really am tired of gaining weight. Faced with this dilemma, most people would go talk to their doctor; that would be the right thing to do. Alas, I’m not most people, and while I always try to do the right thing, it often isn’t the socially acceptable thing.

I made a list in my head of pros and cons. Pros–I am happy. Cons–I’ve gained 20 pounds, and I’m tired all the time. When the doctor initially put me on this medication, she said that she didn’t think I would have to be on it long-term. She said that she just thought I was going through a rough patch, and I needed some help to get through it. I felt as if I had that help, and now it was time to put my big girl panties on and deal with the issues I’d medicated into submission.

So I prayed for a sign whether or not to keep taking the medicine. That morning, on my way to the gym, I heard “Your help comes from the Lord,” on the radio, and that was my sign. Instantly, I felt a wave of relief, and thanked God for showing me such a clear sign so quickly. Throughout the day, I had little signs that reinforced my decision, and I felt pretty confident that I was doing the right thing.

That was two weeks ago. Today, without medication, I feel tired, overwhelmed, and unsure. I think it was the right decision. I think it was what God wanted me to do, but the signs that so suddenly appeared to guide me have now vanished, and I find myself on a desolate path wondering if I’m going the right way.

I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I knew when I stopped taking the happy pills I was going to feel all the pain I’d been numbing for the past few months. I knew that I was going to have to deal with the fact that my baby is going to college in a few short months. I knew that when I looked at my dad’s laminated obituary, the fact that my dad was dead was going to tear my heart to pieces, again. But I also know that if I don’t feel these things, if I don’t face that pain head on and deal with it, I will be stuck in a state of suspended animation.

I realized that for me, taking the medication was taking the easy way out. I don’t want to be artificially happy anymore, even though it was nice for a few months. I want to be a better person. I want to grow and change and develop, and in order to do that, I know I have to walk through this pain. My vacation from tears was nice, but it was just that–a vacation. I needed it and am grateful for it. Now, it’s time to unpack my bags and get to the business of dealing with all of this shit.