Peping's Personal Blog

I know this may sound like the same old “brand new,” but it’s been a while since I succumbed to depression.   I know, I know – “wellness journey” feels like a phrase we’ve all heard a million times. It’s everywhere: on Instagram feeds with matcha lattes, in self-help books, from friends who swear by 5 AM yoga. But this isn’t about that polished, picture-perfect version. This is about the messy, raw reality of what it was like when I succumbed to depression – and how I found my way back, one small step at a time.   Depression didn’t hit me like a thunderclap. It crept in slowly, wrapping its fingers around every part of my life. It came with difficulty sleeping – nights spent staring at the ceiling, my mind racing with “what ifs” until the sun came up. Then came anxiety – tightness in my chest, panic attacks in crowded places, a constant feeling that something terrible was about to happen. To cope, I chased that easy fix of dopamine any way I could: binge eating unt...

  Five months ago, I took a breath, laced up my shoes (well, maybe just sat up from the couch first), and made a choice that would change everything. Investing in my health has been the best decision I’ve made all year - and honestly, it’s the kind of investment that pays dividends I never saw coming.   When I look at where I am now compared to day one, I know some might say it’s “not much.” A little less weight on the scale, a little more energy in the morning, a goodnight sleep, a little easier to climb the stairs without catching my breath. But for me? It’s everything. I’m so, so proud that I found the courage to take that first step into wellness. That first step is always the scariest - it’s the one that breaks through the “maybe tomorrow” cycle and turns “someday” into “today.”   This journey isn’t just about me. Every time I choose a healthy meal over junk food, every time I push through a workout when I’d rather stay in bed, I’m doing it for the people...