700 - My Depression Story

Mar 6, 2026

A candid personal story about struggling with depression and how it seeped into every corner of life. Practical tips for starting small, picking one area to finish, and pacing progress. Honest talk about medication, recovery, and the tradeoffs that come with treatment. Emphasis on getting support from friends or professionals and giving yourself grace during low seasons.

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ANECDOTE

When Life's Demands Broke Her Bubble

Lisa describes a multi-year collapse of her “bubble” starting with constant medical and school appointments and culminating in her father's illness and death.
She counted 110 appointments in one school year, then spent 11 months driving home for her father’s decline while juggling kids and work.

ANECDOTE

Medication Gave Relief And New Tradeoffs

Lisa tried Lexapro once and felt detached, then later took Cymbalta which calmed her anger and overwhelm.
On Cymbalta she stopped yelling, gained perspective, but also gained 30 pounds and felt emotionally numb.

ANECDOTE

Groceries On The Floor Sparked A New Start

After quitting her job and weaning off medication, Lisa returned home and found every cabinet and drawer disorganized.
That moment—putting groceries on the floor because every cabinet was full—triggered her Organize 365 start.

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I have been feeling the tug to share my personal experience with depression for quite a while.

It may surprise you to hear that I have struggled with depression. I'm a pretty upbeat gal! Well, it surprised me too.

In today's podcast, I share my personal story with depression and how it affects every area of your life.

Here are 5 tips I gave myself and share with clients about how depression affects organization.

1. Give yourself grace.

I cannot even put into words how depression zapped me of every shred of energy to do ANYTHING. And the thought of tackling an organization project was SO overwhelming. My "will power" got up and went - AWAY!

2. Get a friend to help you.

Another friend's perspective, energy and motivation are contagious and can help you push through when you just want to watch TV. Used strategically, friends can help you get organized and stay functioning when your own initiative is low.

Over 50% of the Organize 365 clients call us in to help because they just can't do the organizing themselves in their depressed state.

3. Pick ONE area and COMPLETE it before moving on no matter how long it takes.

Slow and steady wins the race! Your home did not become a "mess" overnight, and it won't get organized overnight either. One step at a time.

Pick an area where you can get a quick win and start there:

Your night stand
Your dresser
The car
The Master Closet

The key is to MAINTAIN that area when you tackle area #2. The Productive Home Solution™ is ordered in a way so the areas you organize will stay organized as you move on to the next area of your home.

4. Acknowledge your limitations.

I know how frustrated you are! Knowing what I USED to be able to do made me even MORE depressed when I couldn't seem to tackle even the basics when I was depressed.

If it's a bad day... it's OK! You have time to get organized and take care of yourself.

And when your desire is beyond your physical ability - hire help.

5. Surround yourself with positive people.

I know it's easier to say than do, but I always felt better when I made myself go OUT and BE with people, even though I didn't want to.

I can't even tell you how many times we will be laughing with clients and then they say,

"I can't believe how fun you make organizing!"
"I haven't been able to laugh like that in a long time."
"If I knew how quickly you could get this organized I wouldn't have waited so long to call."
and our favorite. "I can't believe there are people who actually LIKE to organize!"

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