Avoid Suicide by Looking Forward to the Little Things

I have found that one way to avoid suicide is to look forward to the little things. I know that sounds simple, but some of the most useful coping techniques are and as I’ve said to many people, when you have a mental illness, you need to do whatever works for you. If it’s stupid but it works, then it’s not stupid. And one of the “not stupid” things I’ve found to avoid suicide is focusing on looking forward to the little things.

Bipolar Depression and Avoiding Suicide

I have bipolar disorder that primarily manifests as bipolar depression as the medication does a good job of suppressing the highs, but not the lows, of bipolar disorder. In this protracted depression I so often experience, I often feel, daily, like I want to die. I wouldn’t call it being suicidal, per se, as I don’t plan on taking my life, but it is a desire to die.*

And so, having this desire, it’s really hard for me to want to wake up tomorrow and it’s hard not to feel disappointed when I do wake up.

But I’ve figured something out: to find more meaning, to avoid suicide, it’s important to find things to look forward to.

Looking Forward to the Big Things?

Most people look forward to the big events: holidays, graduations, awards and so forth. The trouble with this is that there aren’t that many big things to look forward to in a year. These things are rare, which is maybe why people look forward to them so much.

On the other hand, if I focus on appreciating, and looking forward to, the little things, there are many more to look forward to in a week, let alone a year.

Looking Forward to the Little Things to Avoid Suicide

So I’ve started looking to the tiny things that happen in life to look forward to. This might be trying out a new recipe (because I like to cook) or giving my friend her birthday present. These are little things that happen frequently so it’s easy to take them for granted. But if I focus on looking forward to these little things, it actually makes me want to die less. These “little things” help me to avoid suicide and suicidal thoughts.

Now, I know some people will think it’s dumb to look forward to something as simple as eating a new flavour of ice cream in the afternoon as a reward for working hard in the morning, but it works for me. I’m still here. It’s working. If I focus on the fact that two days from now, I get to see my friends and go out for brunch, it puts the desire to die to the side for a few days.

So I encourage you to look at your life, and all the simple, little things that go in it, and find something to look forward to. What you look forward to may be unique to you: a walk in the park, brushing your cat or getting a haircut; all of that is okay. Remember, when you’re battling a foe like depression or bipolar disorder, you need to do whatever works – whatever that is for you.

Avoiding Suicidal Thoughts By Looking Forward to the Little Things

For more on my bipolar depression and how I look forward to the little things to avoid thoughts of suicide, watch this video:

*If you feel a desire to die, please make sure to tell your psychiatrist/therapist. Just because I know that this feeling won’t lead to my taking my life doesn’t mean it’s the same for you and it’s easy to go from “wanting to die” to “planning to die.” Don’t let yourself fall down that slope (Going From Suicidal Thoughts To A Suicide Attempt).

You can find Natasha Tracy on Facebook or Google+ or @Natasha_Tracy on Twitter or at Bipolar Burble, her blog.