[wpclean]

Had depression all my life, and the worst part of it for me is when I can't get round the customers on time when I have a bad few weeks, and can't leave the house !
The customers are very patient, and loyal, and I have to lie to them on why I am late ( I blame my bad back ) !
Just a note to people on here not to be too harsh or critical to others on here who are not so confident, and cannot take things in so easily.
I know a lot strive for money, and success, but some of us are just grateful to be able to pay the basics, and have the flexibility to work when feeling normal.
Rant over 

[tlwcs]

What an honest post, I hope your feeling good at the moment.
Tony

[g.brookes]

Be honest with your customers.  I'm sure in most you would find an understanding ally.  I admire your strength, doing this job must be very tough at times.

[elite mike]

good luck samson   and keep going  

[dannymack]

Take my hat off to you Samson
At least you go out to work when you can and not sit on benefits claiming for depression good for you and all the best to you 👍👳👳👳🇬🇧

[Clever Forum Name]

I know your pain bud. I was deeply depressed for nearly 10 years. I guess i was just one of "those" kids. A life of fast food, caffeine and video games didn't help.

I was in a dead end job (call center) and had a pathetic excuse for a life.

A previous bad fall at work caused me to quit window cleaning and get an office job.

Without WFP i would still be in that office feeling like poop!

It's been a good two years of happy time as i call it.

My check list is.

CLEARED 40K DEPT - CHECK
OFF THE HAPPY PILLS - CHECK
GOT A PARTNER - CHECK
GOT A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS - DOUBLE CHECK

When i look back i think why was so depressed and so anxious but you can't look at it like that.

I have come out a better person, i respect money and people. My enthusiasm for life can be taking the wrong way which annoys me, but hey ho.

Had massive break through this year with work but i have learnt my lesson. Nobody needs to know apart from nearest and dearest.

Hats off to you for bringing up the subject.

[Simon Mess]

I have suffered from depression myself, and was signed off work some years ago due to it. A lot of people are very unsympathetic, usually through ignorance, as they have absolutely no clue just how debilitating it can be. My wife suffers from severe depression, and has done since she was in her late teens (due, in no small part to an 'unpleasant' childhood), and even her mother just doesn't really understand. She is one of those that think you just need to 'pull your socks up', that depression is just a state of mind.

I don't know how you are dealing with it, but seeing a Councillor certainly helped my wife, and from my personal experience, physical exercise helps, as it is a natural 'up'. Doesn't have to be particularly strenuous, a brisk walk, preferably somewhere out in the country, or where you get a nice view. Don't suffer in silence though, that can quite often make things worse.

You hang in there, and dont let the b****rds drag you down  

[Spruce]

I don't think it was a rant.

If you let your customers know then you will be surprised how many of them suffer the same as you and are on A/D's themselves.

For some reason blaming a bad back doesn't 'wash' but if you admit to suffering with a mental illness you will find that most will be very sympathetic.

When you let people know, then they understand why you are behind (most of us are anyway) with their cleans. Stress over being late generates more stress which creates its own negative spiral on your health.

Another point you have to accept is that if you had just enough customers to service regularly during your not so good periods, you won't have enough customers during your good periods.

A sign of the times we live in is equating riches with success. there are some of us who aren't money driven. I personally get more satisfaction from doing a good job. Money is important, but isn't the bee all and end all for me. Others are different.

[Spruce]

I have suffered from depression myself, and was signed off work some years ago due to it. A lot of people are very unsympathetic, usually through ignorance, as they have absolutely no clue just how debilitating it can be. My wife suffers from severe depression, and has done since she was in her late teens (due, in no small part to an 'unpleasant' childhood), and even her mother just doesn't really understand. She is one of those that think you just need to 'pull your socks up', that depression is just a state of mind.

I don't know how you are dealing with it, but seeing a Councillor certainly helped my wife, and from my personal experience, physical exercise helps, as it is a natural 'up'. Doesn't have to be particularly strenuous, a brisk walk, preferably somewhere out in the country, or where you get a nice view. Don't suffer in silence though, that can quite often make things worse.

You hang in there, and dont let the b****rds drag you down  

Good points made here Simon.

[dannymack]

Bloodyhell H20 you must be raking in the doe, paying a £40,000 debt off in 2 years plus the cost of living isn't cheap good luck 2 ya

[robbo333]

You say your customers are very patient and loyal. That means you're doing a good job.
Get out there and get loads more custys and start rocking and rolling.
I know some days you just wanna throw the covers over your head and disappear
but the sun will be out soon, the shorts can go on and skirts will be getting shorter.  

[Clever Forum Name]

Bloodyhell H20 you must be raking in the doe, paying a £40,000 debt off in 2 years plus the cost of living isn't cheap good luck 2 ya

LOL - Thats probably the way it was written. My fault. cleared 40K in 10 years, not 2! lol

[Paul Coleman]

I'm going to be contrary to some of the posts on here.
I say DON'T tell your customers.
My experience tells me that a fair number of customers will drop you if you tell them.  I've not had depression but I was ill for quite a while many years ago due to the side effects of treatment medicines.  Lost a big chunk of work over it even though I kept them informed and even though it was a temporary situation (well under a year).  I say just let them carry on thinking that your back is a biot ropey at times.  The other point about not telling them is that some may want to discuss it with you at times.  This may not be the best thing psychologically if you're going through a phase of giving yourself positive affirmations.

[Perfect Windows]

Find a Human Givens counsellor.  They won't want to see you more than a handful of times and they will lift it.  You DON'T have to live with this crippling illness.  Call them today and see someone as soon as you can.

http://www.hgi.org.uk/register/index.htm

As I say, you won't be talking to them for months; that isn't what they do - they will help you to lift the depression quickly and let you go on your way.

Vin

[dannymack]

I was gonna say H20 crikey that's sum going pmsl !!! 👳👳👳👍🇬🇧

[MATT BATEMAN (OWC)]

Good post Samson. Fair play to you bud. Its one of those invisible conditions that is often dismissed. Sometimes peoples response is 'pull yourself together'. If someone is depressed they would pull themselves together if they could!


Crack on, but dont tell your customers. Once told you can't 'untell' them. And you dont know what they may do with that information. Keep with the back problem as your excuse.

[trippyboy]

Hey Samson thanks for sharing mate.
Iam over my depression now but the first time I done window cleaning in mid 80s to late 90s I was the same as you.
Always telling custys porkies.
Sometimes I would drive to the first lot of custys of a morn and simply drive back home again and get in bed.
Being behind with my work depressed me yet the more I was depressed I was less likely to go to work.
Was just going around in circles gradually getting worse.
My heart goes out to you buddy,depression is a real terrible illness

[wpclean]

Thanks for all the positive comments fellas, I cope with downs now, and have learned not to turn in on myself.
A see a lot of people with far worse conditions than me, and my heart goes out to them.
The good thing about this job is the flexibility, when feeling low, but it is sometimes tiring when you are catching up !
If anyone is suffering at the moment, I would agree with the other posters advice, particularly talking therapy, you can get six sessions of CBT if you see your GP.
Three things have helped a lot -
1. Having understanding friends ( being able to speak freely )
2. Exercise - gets the good chemicals going
3.Giving up alcohol - struggled for many years, until finding the book " kicking the drink easily " by Jason vale, which probably saved my life, ( It was really easy ).
Sorry if I come across preachy, just wanted to encourage anyone suffering at the moment 

[Rayleigh Window Cleaning Services]

This is a great post. Nice one everybody.

[gordonswindows]

Keep going Samson

My bi-polar makes life, never mind running a business, challenging.

Best advice is to ask/accept help from professionals who know what you are suffering they really can make a difference

best

Gordon