I just had to share this story with you which you might have already seen on Facebook as it has been doing the rounds there at the moment.
A 21-year-old woman had her leg tattooed with the words ‘I’m fine’ which is depicted in the picture on the left. Now this might seem a rather odd thing to have tattooed onto your skin, but its message is much more than just those words.
As you can see from the image on the right, the same tattoo read from the woman’s viewpoint reads ‘save me.’ The reason for this is that she unfortunately suffers from depression, and although might look fine to others, is actually feeling far from it.
She wanted to show just how appearances can be so deceptive, as a person with depression does not necessarily go moping about with a sad face! In fact, I know from experience that I have tried to act as normal, cracking jokes and keeping up with conversations, when I have actually just wanted to go home and back into my little ‘cocoon.’
The whole point of her getting the tattoo was to share it publicly, in order to raise awareness of depression and somehow lessen the stigma that is often attached to it. I don’t know what you think, but from my perspective it is a pretty clever way of drawing attention to condition that is so often misunderstood, and not taken seriously enough.
I think she should do, within reason, whatever helps her to cope more effectively. Unless we’ve been there, it’s impossible to judge.
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A sad truth indeed. ❤ ❤
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Hello Tess, how lovely to see you back. How are you? 🙂
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Hi, Edwina. Lovely to see you too. Been a busy summer and now I need a vacation. 😀 Not kidding. I’ll be around till and then ‘I have a ticket for an airplane… ❤ ❤
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I’m glad you had a good summer albeit busy. Your holiday will top it off nicely 🙂
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Is.s.u.r.e. hope so.
I’ve never taken a vacation after a b.r.e.a.k. 😀 😀 Who would have thought such a thing possible? 😉
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Well it might catch on! Sounds a good idea to me 🙂
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😀 😀 😀
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I saw this on Yahoo, and think it’s a brilliant idea. Just because we smile doesn’t mean all in our world is rosy.
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Exactly. I think it is very clever too :-)
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Mental health is just as important as physical health—maybe more. Often times, it’s difficult for people to truly understand what someone who has depression faces on a daily basis, especially if they haven’t experienced it themselves. This woman’s tattoo may help to start a conversation or raise awareness.
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Yes, hopefully it will encourage people to talk about it more 🙂
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It is an important statement, Edwina. Did you ever see the experiments of Dr. Masaru Emote where he recorded how words, music, and images change water crystals? It’s stunning. This is going to sound crazy, but for a time, I wrote positive affirmations on my skin with eyeliner to recreate the effect. I attached the link to a short video. I think you’ll love it. 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAvzsjcBtx8
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I have just watched that, and it is absolutely amazing! The positive emotions crystals were beautiful and so intricate whereas the others much darker. Thanks for sharing with me 🙂
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You’re welcome. I thought you’d like it. Now get out the eyeliner and write all over yourself. Ha ha! 😀
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Just watched this – that words and music can do this.
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It was stunning wasn’t it?
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I do understand from personal experience how depression can impact your life and particularly in the past when you were told to pull yourself together like a pair of curtains. We do not all have great coping skills which is when food, drink and drugs can become inserted into our lives. The greatest loss was of myself and it took many years to realise that. I hope that tattoo serves as a reminder each day that she will be fine in time.
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The worst thing you can say to someone with depression is to ‘pull yourself together.’ I know I wish I could sometimes if only it were that easy. I am glad that you got yourself back ,and hope that you have managed to keep the dpression at bay! 🙂
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I have thanks to finding a good man who made me strong 35 years ago. XXS
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That is wonderful xxx
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I love it
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Me too 🙂
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Depression is not so easy to treat as a physical injury. If you have a broken down leg you set it and all is (usually) fine. But depression is different, there is no injury to treat, and it is different in everyone. The company I work at started a program called Live and Work Well, and online course on handling depression, basically a course on positive thinking. Didn’t help me because my particular variety has nothing to do with negative thinking, it has to do with how I am treated at work. When I get away from work, for even a short time, my depression clears totally. How do you spin a positive thought when your (former) boss tells you “so long as I am here you will never bet promoted”? He is no longer my boss, but I still have to deal with him daily.
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You are so right about depression being ‘invisible’. Your ex-boss sounds an idiot, and it must be hell having to deal with him on a daily basis!
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He’s one of those gregarious people that everyone likes and can do no wrong. He has been called into HR almost a half dozen times, has been up and down the managerial ladder three times (he is now a manager of no one, but still a manager), but since he is liked he can do no wrong. And, yes, it is a joy dealing with him every day. Our current project is 2 months behind schedule because he isn’t doing his assigned tasks, but no one says anything and the project deadline just gets pushed back. I was one week late getting a project in and it was reflected on my annual review. Enough rant, thanks for letting me vent.
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It’s an excellent cry for help when presenting a normal face to the public. It’s very clever and I hope the point is made that no matter what the response o a question of ‘How are you?” the real answer may be something different and must be taken seriously.
As a fairly private person ‘Fine thanks’ would always be my standard answer even when I was ready to hide under the bed but there are always signs to be looked for and if we’re bothered enough to ask the question, we should be bothered enough to make sure we get the real answer. A little more interest may just save a person’s life.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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I agree that a little more thought goes such a long way, and the signs are there if we look for them. You made such a good point that if we are bothered enough to ask how someone is then we should be bothered enough to listen when they tell us. Hugs xxxx
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Wow, that is awesome. It gave me chills.
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Yes, it really is brilliant 🙂
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Totally!
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Such an important issue to address, Depression is an invisible illness, and so many suffer without support…
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Yes, I love the tattoo and the meaning behind it 🙂
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It’s awesome, indeed!
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I saw this on FB, and was blown away. I too suffer from depression, and some people never try to see beyond the “I’m fine” fake mask. This tat is beautiful, and so is she. God bless her for speaking out.
(And can I just say, every time I pop in here, and see “me” on your side bar, I get a thrill anew! Thanks again, for liking me!)
Melinda
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Yes she is a very brave young woman highlighting depression which is taboo for so many.
It is a pleasure to have you on my sidebar Melinda 🙂
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Thanks, Judy. You’re an encourager!
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I think it’s a brilliant idea – silence hides so much. If words can’t be spoken then there needs to be another way to express emotion.x
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Absolutely, and this is a great way of doing it, especially as tattoos are always a great talking point 🙂
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I think this is clever as well, glad you posted this because I had not seen it. I agree that all that glitters isn’t gold. This is a nice post, good job!
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Hi Shelie. Thanks so much for your comments. I am glad to be able tp share this post with you as it really resonated with me 😉
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A brilliant idea. How many of us needed saving when we just politely said “I’m fine”? 💕
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Judy E Martin
Hello, and thanks for stopping by. I am Judy, in my (very) early fifties and decided that life definitely gets more interesting as it goes on! I am a wife and a mum and have just finished University as a Registered Nurse, after having worked as an Associate Practitioner in the NHS. I am also a poet and the author of my debut book, 'Rhymes of the Times.' I love to laugh, and I love rhyming words too, so I joined the two together, and my book was born. I am currently working on another book in the series also. I am a prolific blogger and enjoy writing funny stories, anecdotes, and anything really that takes my fancy.
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