My Fashionable Life

Hang in there ... I will keep you in my thoughts. :)

The only thing that helps me is the gym. I don't know why.

BAD dog! Go away! (Perhaps you could offer him a nice squeaky toy in lieu of your neck?)

Sending up a prayer for you.

I had a dreadful period in my life. It lasted from the onset of puberty until my mid 20s. Part of the time I fought it and part of the time I didn't. When I did, I just made myself live from one hour to the next. Fortunately when I made myself do things, like go to class, I felt better. I've been checking your site everyday for new entries, because I enjoy your site so much. Please keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Take some time for yourself--you have been working very hard with a lot on your plate. Even if it's all creative and wonderful (and wow, you are!) it can wear you down. It's okay to take a breather. And remember we are all here to wish you the best, listen, and understand. Take care!

I can sympathise, our family is plagued by black dogs. We'll be here patiently waiting for you when you shake it off. Take Care.

We're not going anywhere, take as much time as you need. We'll be thinking of you.

Hugs Anna, hope you feel better soon, I'll be thinking of you.

Anna-Just wanted to say what a daily joy it has been for me to visit your site! It is so inspiring to see your designs become real flesh and blood (or yarn and blood : ) pieces of art. You are stunningly talented and very generous to share that talent with all of us. (I've got the yarn all ready to go for Jemima) Thank you for putting yourself out there...I know it is difficult, but it really helps me to hear what you write...you remind me to keep my vision clear and follow through with it until I can see the thing I dreamed in front of me...so thank you!-Jenny

{hugs} Take care xxx

Anna- Know that we all love you and believe in your talent, your hope, your happiness. No free advice here on how to get better. I have been there, too. You know the way.

We are here when you need us.

Be well Anna--I hope it lets go soon. Sending lots of love, and licks from a real black dog who wishes she could chase the bad one off for you.

Be well. I will be holding you 'in the light', as we Quakers say.....

Please hang in there, Anna. Do you want a cat? I have two really lovely one's who will treat so well. :0) (I hope that was funny as that is how I usually try to make people feel better. If it wasn't, just know I'm thinking of you.)

Hang in there. I hope the dog's teeth fall out so you can get to feeling better soon.

big hugs. xx

I hope things turn the corner for you soon. You have a partner over here, as I'm also trying to shake off my own Black Dog as it were (no posts on my blog for the last month-and-a-bit!). I look forward to seeing you back on the blog, but take all the time you need.

Black dog, be gone. Holding you in my thoughts, Anna

A lot of us know that black dog. Take care of yourself and cultivate hope any way you can.

I'm thinking of you, Anna. Get well soon.

We'll wait for you,sweet one. Not for too long,I hope. Hoping you find a way out of the blackness.

Anna, I hope the black dog goes away very soon.

Best wishes.

Maybe this particular dog will morph into Gary Oldman who will take pains to comfort you? (Mmmm, Gary Oldman....)
Sorry, where was I?
I hope you get what you need soon.

Anna, I hope he leaves soon. Until then, I have you on my bloglines sub feed, so I will be here when you are.
You are in my thoughts.
Take care,
Melissa

Anna,
You are in my thoughts. Take care.

Anna, I've bene there, too. Get well soon.

~Nikki

Anna, Take care of yourself and do whatever you need to do to come out into the light. We're always here for you.

You're in my thoughts, Anna! Love and best wishes.

bad dog!!!!
( hugs ) hang in there...

Many say that these dark moments are necessary so that those incredible light ones can occur--especiallly in creative people. Though I hate those black dogs so and feel even grumpier when people tell me this, I do often cling to this particular idea during the days of despair. What is certain is that clear skies are on their way to you. Until then, I wish for you whatever it is that you need right now.
Warm regards--

You poor dear. I hope you find the light very, very soon. We are all out here...cheering for you.

I hope you're on the mend. My thoughts are with you.

You are not alone. I've been in the grip of the black dog and I'm sending prayers your way. May you bask in the sun soon.

My prayers are with you. I know the black dog myself. It's exhausting to fight, but it's worth it. One little thing at a time. It will want you to look at the big picture, but don't. Just one thing at a time. Like knitting one stitch at a time. I don't think the black dog likes knitting, which is part of why I do it. Screw the black dog! Hang on.

Fight it off honey,kay? You know that I KNOW how horribly dreadful times like these are. There will be sun and rainbows and blue skies again. Just hang in during this time.

be good to YOU!

I hope you feel better soon. My personal motto is "every day is a new day" - and funny as it seems - it is! I look forward to seeing you back on the blog! Hugs

Delurking to say - hang in there - I've been there too!

I know that black dog and I'm sorry he is at your house. Be well.

Bad Dog!

Hang in there, Anna. My support is with you, because whether your up or down you are wonderful!

Let me know if you need to "talk" about it. I have experience with the dog. Unfortunately, it often accompanies creativity. Hang tight, and remember that you have an entire community of knitters and dog catchers here for you. xox,

Annoying black dog. May it run away and leave you alone. Take care of yourself, hard as it may be.

*Hugs* Feel better soon.

Delurking - that dog sucks the big fat one, look forward to see you come back, shake that bastard off.

I'm pulling for you, Anna!

Oh Anna, I'm so sorry. Take all the time you need - forever as it may be - and do get well soon.

I suffered from a similar thing, untill, after 15 years of wanting to be 'normal', it all came to a head. I was very fortunate to be seen by a good psychiatrist, which taught me a few things about myself. But the main thing I learnt, which is my mantra, is that I can stop my thoughts spiraling downwards, I can be in control. It is helped by taking fluoxetine, which enables me to not feel everything so sensitively. Since my collapse my life has turned around, though I shall probably be on my medication for the rest of my life, which is no bad thing as the side effects are only positive. So I understand that it was probably very difficult to drag yourself to do this posting, though the fact that you have, is a good sign. I was wondering if you were ok, so thankyou for letting us know how you are, and try to remember that there's a lot of support for you out there. We love your blog, and hope you're feeling stronger soon.

Anna, I'll pray for you... I've been there, too... I hope you feel better soon... take care of yourself!

I have had my own problems but luckily they haven't surfaced for a while now - I won't pretend to know what you are going through or how you are feeling but my thoughts and very best wishes are with you.

Please don't forget that you will feel better.

Hang in there. :)

I am also a bi-polar, finatical knitter and have followed your blog since its inception. I have been depression free since 1995, however, this year I have had 2 severe episodes. It is amazing how quickly our worlds can collapse but also equally amazing that given time, proper treatment ( in my case a change of medication) and supportive friends, our moods return to normal and life as we have known it begins again. For those who haven't experienced the ravages of clinical depression it is almost impossible to explain the pain and the paralysis we deal with through these episodes. As one who has been there several times I am writing to encourage you to hang in there until the fog lifts and joy returns. Above all have patience with yourself and remember that there are thousands of others who are fighting this illness and in time I know in my heart that we will find a cure! You are an amazingly wonderful designer and I will be watching for your next creation.

Pulling for you!

I know that feeling... oh too well...
If you need an ear know I am always here :)

There is a popular country-western song climbing the charts over here this week, with the lines "If you're going through hell, keep on going, don't look back. If you're scared, don't show it - you might get out before the devil even knows you're there"; helped me when I first heard it last week to remember that the dark and light both come and go. I am glad you had the courage to say a few, brief words so that people could reach out with all of this love and encouragement. Thinking good thoughts that the fog will lift soon.

Darling, The Black Dog will loose its grip...he always does. Stay the course...even if it is one breath at a time.

I came to your blog today to thank you for the Jess pattern - it's the best thing I've ever knitted. I finished it last night and am already contemplating starting another one in a different colour.

I hope you feel better very soon; seems to me that that dog only attacks the strongest and toughest of us.

*hugs*. I look forward to the day when you've chased him away again. ~x~

Hi Anna, Sorry to hear you're not feeling great. I do have a bit of experience in that area, so I can sympathise. I came upon your blog only tonight, as I had googled hand knitted dress. I am in the last stages of making one which is turning out well. You may not be up to the details right now, but it's an argyle sleeveless vest extended into a flared skirt; a bit schooly, a bit pinafore, very cute. details later. I'm so looking forward to being a regular visitor to your site, it's great!

Ah, glad others understood your metaphor. I will chip in and say, me, too.

much love from Seattle!

d.

Hope you feel better soon! (hugs)

The summertime blues... sigh. I hope that you find your way out very soon.

I am sending all my warm thoughts to you, I have enjoying your blog for some time now and love your creativity!

Sorry to hear that, Anna.

If you want company, pick up the phone any time.

I sympathize about that horrible black dog-- I wish there was a fence that really worked to keep him/her out. Just wanted to let you know that I recently stumbled over your blog and ADORE it. I love to read it and see your projects. It is such a beautiful and lovely site to look over (that my work has suffered this week!) You are so very talented and wonderfully creative. Thank you.

hope you are feeling better soon. I'm not so bad during the summer - it's in the winter that I usually have my lowest days.
hope to see your posts back soon

To Anna and all friends of this blog on both sides of the pond who suffer from depression, I'd like to offer a reading suggestion. Check out "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" by David D. Burns, M.D. This book, by now a best-selling classic, shows you how to apply the principles of cognitive therapy to banish the black dog for good. A scientific study has shown that just reading this book can elevate your mood. Many psychotherapists recommend it to their patients as reading homework. It's helped me greatly.

I also recommned Authentic Happiness and Learned Optimism, both by Martin Seligman, M.D. Seligman is leading exciting new research into the emerging field of positive psychology (which studies what makes people happy). Check out authentichappiness.org

Anna-I hope you feel better soon. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

He has been bothering alot of people. I think he is desperate in a needed way. My friend chased him off with a surprise letter full of hugs and kisses. Hope the same happens for you. Your work and whit brighten may of my days. Give that dog a kiss and turn him into a good boy.

I'm thinking of you and sending all positive vibes your way. Take care of yourself and come back only when you're ready. Your fans and friends will still be here.

Checking every day to see if you're well enough to write. I've been so inspired by you - thank you.

Thinking of you, Anna.

Anna, thinking and praying for you!

May you find peace and strength to care for yourself. Looking forward to your posts in the future.

Oh no..not the black dog...not the great big black hole...climb out Anna climb out.

I hope things will get better for you soon...

I had not checked your blog in awhile,so did not know the mean dog has reapperared and then a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned your artistry to my hubby as something I aspire to reach. I finish my garments a lot nicer after I look at yours. I dress better too. I'm in the Bronx,did you know you have influenced so many in a wonderful positive way? Help yourself feel better by any means necessary(quoting Malcolm X there).