Muffin Tin Advent Calendar: This week's cure for Depression

So I don't typically have an issue with after Christmas blues, but knew this year could be different since I struggle with fairly severe depression at the end of pregnancies. And although I suspected I might experience an onset once Christmas break was over, I still wasn't really ready when it hit. It has been a hard week. Very hard. Depression is real and I'm so thankful that I only battle it during pregnancies. I {think} I'm also thankful to experience a taste of it so I understand it a little. (I'll be more thankful after it's over!) In my "normal" thinking, depression is something I would say one could 'just snap out of '. But after experiencing it for myself, I know that isn't quite how it works. Answers are not easily found and feelings of peace and self worth are a struggle to catch glimpses of. I have gained greater sympathies for those who struggle frequently and severely. Anyway, today is a good day so that is why I can write about it a little. . . . being this open and honest is a bit difficult, but maybe someone relates a little and can benefit from this post. (not that I've got any great light to shed on the subject, just a knowing someone else struggles sometimes helps.)

One thing I know about myself is that when I start to dip, I need something creative to keep me going. If I have something, the rest of me can stay a little more put together. So this week I pulled out a project that I wanted to have done before December, but didn't have time to even start. You've maybe seen some muffin tin advent calendars. . . they have been all over this year (Etsy and crafty blogs) ,. . . and no wonder since they are really fun! So I pulled out everything I had set aside and got to work. It was fun (and very healing). Here is what I put together. Close ups:The down side is now I've got to pick up the pieces of what I neglected while playing. . . . I've *got* to finish 3 more assignments on my last class to keep my teaching certificate current (but that is no fun and SO easy to procrastinate!). And my house could use a little attention. And I really, really should approach the daunting task of finding a name for this child. I know it sounds crazy, but it is a job I just don't want to face (former school teachers are forever cursed in child naming). And there are a few other undesirable tasks on my list but my pregnant brain isn't thinking of them atm. All sounds depressing. . . anyone want a muffin tin advent calendar that I can use to battle this week's bouts? JUST KIDDING! Procrastination breeds deeper depression. . . I'm going to buck up and accomplish something real this week! Wish me luck :).