HOME | DD
devduck01 β Believe...
#coping #depression #e18 #verdantcity #olympicsteele #superheroine
Published: 2018-07-08 17:25:35 +0000 UTC; Views: 8496; Favourites: 111; Downloads: 88
Redirect to original
Description
This is not a story...Depression can be a terrible thing to live with. Coupled with my natural introvert tendencies, there can be days when I just don't want to go outside the house.Β Depression doesn't mean I am sad. Depression means I am smiling at you and having a conversation while inside I am screaming and curling up into a ball because I am at the bottom of a deep dark well.
Today isn't a particularly bad day, watching Netflix and eating something really bad for me is all I really need. To be honest, this year has been good. Exercise, new diet and perhaps the bright weather all contributing to me being more positive than I can remember for a while. But there are still days...
I am not alone in having this black surly dog for company, and depression isn't the only challenge people face in their lives. Stressful jobs, trouble with money, bullying, health issues. The list of obstacles we have to contend with is pretty long.
Maybe that is why I created Kimberly. Kim's powers, her strength and invulnerability, come from the garments she wears. But she is only as strong and tough as she believes she is. On good days she can lift a tank over her head. On bad days, she is here with me on the couch, drinking too much and watching Netflix.
If it doesn't sound too pretentious, Kimberly's character arc is to find the strength to believe in herself, to believe she can be a hero. When I start to feel sorry for myself, I remind myself of all the people who are worse off than me but who don't let their situations drag them down or hold them back. I am sure it isn't any easier for them than for me, but they work hard toward their goals...and they believe, believe in themselves and their ability to overcome their difficulties and achieve their goals.
While many of us have friends, we can only get where we want to be under our own steam. So...remember to always Believe...in yourself, in your ability...and Never Surrender Dreams...
From a slightly down slightly out of sorts Duck
( And yes...I totally used Action Comics 1 for reference
)This inspiring piece was done for me by
Kimberly Hughes /Olympic Steele is my OC and may not be used without my permission.
Related content
Comments: 48
π: 1 β©: 0
it's great advice duck
Keep strong and carry on
And good character
π: 0 β©: 1
If it means anything, I'd never have guessed about your struggles with some of these things you've recently shared. On D.A. you come across as not just creative but confident, thoughtful, and strong. You remind me of some ESL folks I've encountered who confess their worries about their language skills, only for me to express my shock and surprise that they're not native speakers of the language.
π: 0 β©: 1
You never do...
I attended a course recently to help me get better at spotting the signs of someone in trouble.
Thanks for the kind words...be well
π: 0 β©: 0
Sorry that you haven't been at your best 
...and from that it's interesting to know that Kimberly/Olympic Steele may partly come from it. I think a lot of people create characters to help them think about issues of interest/concern to them, Cracovia certainly has some of mine. Very cool to see Kimberly doing feats of awesome. Hey, it seems to be national tank-throwing month: Michelle, then Cracovia, then White Owl watching Cracovia, now OS 
π: 0 β©: 1
Oh personally I am doing fine...
But TBH I haven't been enjoying D.A. as much as I used to... so a break...and it now looks like a long break...seems best
π: 0 β©: 0
Living through your art , after a fashion 
I am sorry of your down side my friend , as I've been there myself ... but in this perhaps you've found that greater strength to embrace it ... forge in fire , in a way , and which can bring much depth to your art , as what you've done with with your Kim.
... which perhaps is both the blessing and the curse of being an artist. And as you pointed out...Β get where we want to be under our own steam.
( Course it's awesome to know that slightly down ducks still flock together 
π: 0 β©: 1
Sometimes, tanks have it coming! Β
I think she is a great character concept and may your good days vastly outnumber your not so good
π: 0 β©: 1
They do....this year has been a good year, thanks
And yes...sometimes Tanks are downright mean
π: 0 β©: 0
I could talk about the art, and it is lovely
I could talk about depression, or overwhelming despair, but what could I add to the discussion?
I just want you to know I'm there for you Michael!
π: 0 β©: 1
Thanks Athena....oh and Dee says you owe her $10
π: 0 β©: 0
I must say that i know your pain. There are so many days i am feeling exactly the same andΒ all i want is survive until the end of the day and i have no idea why i am feeling that way. I really like what you said about your character and about believing, i may remember that the next time i am feeling down.Β
I also still sorry about the stevia.
Smashing tanks can also be a nice way to fight depression too! i shall try that if i find a tank!Β
π: 0 β©: 1
Thank you
I hope your better days outnumber the other days
π: 0 β©: 1
My pleasure!
Thank you ^^
π: 0 β©: 0
Right there with you, Sir Duck. Both depression and social anxiety, the latter the result of a breakdown in 2013 I didn't come back from. Quite a few of us here have one or the other, or something similar. It's good to know we aren't alone.
By the way, you're the superhero for turning it into something positive, like Kimberly, and finding a good tonic other than a bottle of whiskey or Valium. "Peanuts" was the result of Charles Shultz's chronic depression. He drew his way through it.
π: 0 β©: 1
You are never alone
That is actually the Cassandra Network motto
π: 0 β©: 0
Hey buddy, I can certainly understand what you are going through and its never as easy to shake as someone who has never dealt with depression thinks. Find your center and build from there and know that your friends will be there to shore up the foundations. I think that your idea for Kim is something really special and hope to see more of her in the future.
π: 0 β©: 1
Thanks Buddy...look after the place for me will you?
π: 0 β©: 1
I will hold the fort down until your return. 
π: 0 β©: 1
Great concept behind a character, I think if you haven't you should give the new Green Lantern series a read, you'd probably really like Jessica Cruz as she's a heroine that is constantly battling crippling anxiety on a daily basis, yet has also been chosen to wield a lantern ring, the rings logic being the willpower she shows everyday to get over her anxiety and brave the world despite it scaring the hell out of her, makes her a powerful Green Lantern.Β
π: 0 β©: 1
Another cool Jessica....my...I will have to check it out, thanks
Be well...see you around
π: 0 β©: 0
Depression has been a real issue in my own life, DA and my OCs have been my outlet valve for a while now. I've never figured out if I am escaping to DA or grounding myself in DA, but the art and the community around it has become an important part of my life. This is our zone!
I am grooving on the scene too, trying to figure out how much is render and how much is postwork, he is so frigging talented!Β
π: 0 β©: 1
Depression, in some form, probably affects a whole lot more people than folks realize.
And yes, he is very talented
π: 0 β©: 1
You are most likely correct sir.Β Β
π: 0 β©: 0
The Action Comics thing was the first thing I picked up on from the preview (I've had failed attempts at a homage myself), but the message with this character, and in the description is a very familiar one.
I'm glad you deal with it as you do, it's one of the hardest things to persuade oneself of in that mindset.
π: 0 β©: 1
I hope you have lots of good days
Be well
π: 0 β©: 1
Thats a great message, thanks for sharing it *hugs*
π: 0 β©: 1